LCIA’s Young International Arbitration Group names seven new regional representatives for Africa

Seven talented African lawyers from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, and Mauritius have this week been named new Regional Representatives for Africa by the Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG), a London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) sponsored association for students and practitioners up to 40 years of age. 

“This accomplished group will play a vital role in encouraging membership, reporting on key arbitration developments, and supporting YIAG events across the region,” said the YIAG. The following seven lawyers will serve a term of two years: 

• Mitchell Aghatise, a Senior Associate and Team Lead at Olaniwun Ajayi LP;

• Beyeeman Ofori-Atta Akyea, an associate at Zoe, Akyea & Co who is admitted to practice in Ghana, England & Wales, and New York state;

• Dipna Gunnoo, a bilingual and dual-qualified Mauritian barrister and university teacher on international arbitration; 

• Mercy Okiro, an experienced Kenyan advocate and arbitrator, accredited mediator, and adjunct faculty at the Kenya School of Law;

• Ivan Okuda, an associate at leading Ugandan firm ACA Advocates where he specialises in Construction Law, Energy Law, and Arbitration;

• Herman Omiti, a partner and Head of Dispute Resolution at Ngeri, Omiti & Bush Advocates LLP; and

• Adeleresimi Philips‑Adeleye, a Senior Associate at Aluko & Oyebode.

The talented African lawyers and arbitration practitioners join 34 peers from across six global regions as new Regional Representatives for YIAG for the next two years. 

“I am immensely humbled and profoundly gratified by the honour and privilege of appointment to serve as a Regional Representative for Africa,” shared Ivan Okuda after the news broke this week. “It’s a call to duty that I take seriously and with utmost humility as we make our modest contribution to the international arbitration landscape on the continent and beyond. I look forward to learning, unlearning and sharing with arbitration professional colleagues across the continent and the world.”

YIAG aims to promote the understanding and use of international arbitration law and practice by providing opportunities for its members to exchange views on topical issues in international commercial arbitration. 

It currently boasts over 12,200 members from more than 146 countries. Membership is open to students, practitioners and younger members of the arbitration community, with the upper age limit for membership being 40 years old.