LIDW26: African transformation requires building investor trust in its dispute resolution systems

With the African continent touted to become a global powerhouse in future years - given its young, dynamic population, resource riches, tech and innovation leaps - its vital that African nations build trust and confidence in their judicial systems, arbitral laws and institutions, and that disputes can be resolved in a timely, cost-effective manner, say leading African lawyers Jonathan Sahli, Eric Gumbo, Gwendy Bannerman, and Soibi Ovia, ahead of London International Disputes Week.

“If Africa as a whole can focus on making key jurisdictions as investor-friendly as London is, or Singapore is, I think we would have done a great justice for our economies,” says Ovia, co-founder and Head of Litigation and Dispute Resolution at acclaimed Nigerian firm Duale, Ovia & Alex-Adedipe (DOA). “It doesn’t end at ensuring inter-country trade. We also need to make sure our arbitration laws and our judicial system is up to par, and that there’s confidence in our systems.”

On Thursday, Ovia along with Sahli, Gumbo, and Bannerman will be joining Lewis Silkin partner Fraser Mitchell, who has significant experience involving Africa-based projects, onstage for a fascinating session discussing the growing complexity of cross-border disputes involving African parties. Under the theme “From Trust to Transformation: Strengthening Africa–UK Dispute Resolution Partnerships,” they will explore practical solutions for various stakeholders to work together to strengthen trust, improve outcomes, and evolve dispute resolution frameworks for the future.

“We’re really excited about hosting everyone, and it should be a great morning,” says Mitchell. “It looks like one of the standout events of the week, with quite a unique gathering of practitioners and expertise onstage. We’re grateful for our involvement.”

Hosted at Lewis Silkin’s London offices, in collaboration with Africa Legal and with participation from the UK Ministry of Justice’s GREAT Legal Services campaign and The Law Society of England and Wales, this key member event will begin with a keynote address from Mark Evans, President of The Law Society of England and Wales, before the distinguished panel discuss how cross-border disputes involving African parties are evolving in scale, complexity, and geopolitical sensitivity, key challenges, and the growing role of African law firms in international disputes.

“Using local counsel in a really meaningful, strategic way is key, and not just using them on small or specific parts of a transaction” says Bannerman, a partner at n. dowuona & company | ALN Ghana. “We understand the local context, we understand the political environment, so we’re able to help contextualise it, and if a dispute arises that has to be resolved, we understand the local challenges, how obtaining and enforcing an award are actually two different things, and the politics.”

Geopolitics and cultural dynamics can have a key impact on investment in African projects and any dispute resolution, agrees Gumbo, the Managing Partner of Kenyan firm G&A Advocates and Sahli, Head of Litigation at Bowmans in South Africa. 

“The key for us as English lawyers advising foreign clients on a dispute in Africa is working working with partners in the jurisdictions who can help us understand those local nuances and quirks,” says Mitchell, “and help us communicate with our client in a way that they're going to going to understand, and that's not always an easy task.”

The four African experts are looking forward to joining Mitchell at Lewis Silkin on Thursday to share their practical insights and experiences, and explore solutions, including how governments, institutions, and legal practitioners can all work together to strengthen trust and improve outcomes for investors and for Africa. 

Part of London International Disputes Week, the “From Trust to Transformation: Strengthening Africa–UK Dispute Resolution Partnerships,” session will take place on Thursday, 4 June 2026 from 11.30am to 1.00pm. It will bring authentic African perspectives into the LIDW26 conversation, feature candid discussion on key issues and solutions, and connect practitioners across Africa and the UK disputes community. This event will conclude with a lunch reception, providing an opportunity for continued discussion and networking. To register, click here. 

Africa Legal has been a media partner to LIDW for the past four years, supporting greater connection between African legal markets and the global disputes community.