AfGAC website launched as part of mission to promote cross-continental dispute resolution and trade

The launch of the African-German Arbitration Cooperation (AfGAC) website is a major milestone, with the platform marking an important step in strengthening cross-continental collaboration, knowledge sharing, and accessibility of arbitration resources between Africa and Germany, say leading African arbitration centres.

Aiming to facilitate the resolution of Africa-related disputes by alternative means on the African continent, the Cairo Regional Centre for International Arbitration, Kigali International Arbitration Centre (KIAC), and Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA) have joined forces with the Hamburg Chamber of Commerce.

AfGAC is geared towards a future of cross-continental business networks that promote inclusivity, equality of terms, a sustainable network of trade development and open dispute resolution mechanism for businesses engaged in transnational trade. It was officially launched on 7 March last year, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, following on from a seminar and workshops the prior year, and delegations visiting Kigali and Nairobi in early 2024.

AfGAC’s stated mission is to strengthen the international visibility of Africa-based arbitration institutions (in cooperation with Hamburg Chamber of Commerce), and ensure Africa-related commercial disputes are increasingly and expeditiously settled by such institutions, dedicated to first class quality and efficient services.

At London International Disputes Week, Professor Emilia Onyema and others called for African voices to be given greater volume in international arbitration, and for Africa to grow its domestic arbitration and support its local and upcoming arbitrators to build relevant experience and culture to bring to international arbitration.

The AfGAC African-German Arbitration Cooperation project is anchored in the spirit of promoting international friendship and understanding.

“As legal certainty and the Rule of Law are important pillars for social and economic progress, we strive to stimulate and support Africa-related international business, with emphasis on resolving of disputes by alternative means, with a strong focus on arbitration but also including mediation,” says the new website.

AfGAC allows its arbitral institutions in Africa and Germany to share their strengths, knowledge, markets and find solutions to common challenges in a way that will make them further develop sustainable trade while increasingly promoting commercial dispute resolution. The focus is to ensure that the seats of the AfGAC Arbitral Institutions become highly competitive as global arbitration venues.