Accelerating legislative reform, rising cross-border investment, and a sharp increase in complex commercial disputes across Africa have transformed Africa’s dispute resolution landscape, compelling countries to strengthen the enforceability of arbitral awards and align their national frameworks with international best practice.
Over the past few years, African states have intensified efforts to modernise arbitration laws, strengthen the enforceability of arbitral awards and align national frameworks with international best practice. From the growing adoption of the UNCITRAL Model Law on international arbitration to the establishment of specialist arbitration courts, the continent’s dispute-resolution ecosystem is undergoing a period of rapid maturation.
“Across Africa, we are seeing this shift, which to an extent was started by the historic signing of the AFSA-SADC Alliance Charter by 11 SADC member states at the Johannesburg Arbitration Week (JAW) 2024, hosted by the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA),” says AFSA CEO Andile Nikani.
“Governments, investors and businesses are no longer asking whether arbitration should play a central role in dispute resolution, they are asking how to deploy it effectively, credibly and at scale and at this year’s JAW, we will address these questions,” he adds.
Arbitration in a fragmented global order
Nikani highlights that this year’s theme for JAW 2026 is ‘Arbitration in a fragmented global order: the future of trade, investment and sustainable development’. “Over the last few years, geopolitical tensions, trade disruptions and tariffs, and competing economic blocs, have fragmented the global order. Through this, we have seen arbitration emerge as a vital, neutral mechanism to safeguard cross-border trade and investments.”
JAW 2026, he notes, will unpack these topics, serving as guidance on how to ensure that dispute readiness is a core component of commercial governance in this challenging and changing environment.
A Timely Platform for a Changing Continent
Arbitration in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, mining and financial services often spans multiple jurisdictions. Large-scale renewable energy rollouts, public-private partnerships and regional trade expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) have given rise to an increasing number of cross-border disputes, which in turn requires more sophisticated dispute-resolution mechanisms.
Concurrently, African arbitral institutions are expanding their reach, courts are adopting stronger pro-arbitration stances, and businesses are increasingly seeking faster, more predictable mechanisms to manage risk and preserve commercial relationships.
“Dispute resolution is not merely a legal consideration, but a strategic business and investment imperative,” Nikani notes. “JAW 2026 will provide decision-makers with practical insights into how arbitration and mediation are shaping project viability, investment confidence and sustainable growth across the continent.”
From Policy Reform to Practical Impact
Building on the inaugural 2024 event, JAW 2026 will examine how recent policy reforms and legal developments are translating into practical outcomes on the ground. Sessions will explore sector-specific dispute trends, enforcement challenges, public-sector participation in arbitration, and the increasing role of mediation in preserving long-term commercial value.
“Attending JAW 2026 is about future-proofing businesses, industries and governments alike,” says Nikani. “Whether you are a government official shaping policy, an investor managing risk, or a corporate leader delivering multi-jurisdictional projects, understanding where African dispute resolution is heading is no longer optional.”
Nikani adds that JAW 2026 is intended to serve as a transformative forum. “With more African states adopting pro-arbitration legislative measures, the shared objective is to build confidence through efficient processes that support Africa’s critical sectors and sustainable development ambitions,” he concludes.
About AFSA JAW
Johannesburg Arbitration Week (JAW) 2026 is a flagship initiative that positions South Africa as a leading arbitration hub on the African continent and a key player in the international dispute resolution arena.
The Johannesburg Arbitration Week (JAW) explores key initiatives shaping dispute resolution, with a particular focus on Africa’s growing role in this field.
Hosted by the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) and Co-Hosts, the event brings together local and international business leaders, government officials, senior executives, arbitrators, legal experts and business innovators to discuss important developments, build networks, create new alliances and champion dispute resolution as a cornerstone of Africa’s economic success.
