Lagos is set to reinforce its position as a major hub for commercial dispute resolution as it hosts the 10th International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Africa Conference on International Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Scheduled to run from June 3 to 5, 2026, at the Lagos Continental Hotel, the milestone pan-African summit will bring together global arbitrators, corporate counsels, business leaders, and regulatory policymakers.
Organized by the ICC International Court of Arbitration in collaboration with ICC Nigeria, the conference is themed “A Decade of Excellence: Shaping the Future of International Arbitration & ADR in Africa.” The gathering comes at a critical time as African markets expand intra-continental trade channels under the AfCFTA, requiring robust legal frameworks to safeguard multi-billion-dollar cross-border investments.
1. Technical Training in Arbitral Award Enforcement
The conference will open on June 3 with an advanced masterclass led by the ICC Institute of World Business Law, focusing on the technical mechanics of Drafting Enforceable Awards. In international commercial disputes, poorly drafted awards frequently lead to lengthy set-aside litigations in local courts, tying up corporate capital and delaying project timelines.
The technical session is structured to equip African practitioners with the precise drafting skills needed to survive rigorous judicial reviews and secure swift enforcement under the New York Convention.
2. Strategic Commercial Sectors Under Review
The main plenary sessions on June 4 and 5 will address specialized legal and operational issues across several high-stakes business sectors:
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Energy and Infrastructure Disputes: Managing contractual friction in large-scale upstream oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), and regional transport infrastructure projects.
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Investment Arbitration & Sovereign Risk: Analyzing investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) trends and the evolution of bilateral investment treaties across African frontiers.
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Technology and Innovation in ADR: Integrating artificial intelligence (AI), secure virtual hearing rooms, and blockchain-verified evidence collection into modern arbitral proceedings.
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Global Ecosystem Alignment: Assessing Africa’s expanding influence in shaping international dispute resolution rules and reducing reliance on traditional European arbitral seats.
| Key Expected Speaker | Institutional Portfolio / Legal System Designation |
| Lateef Olasukanmi Fagbemi (SAN) | Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Nigeria. |
| Claudia Salomon | President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration. |
| Dorothy Udeme Ufot (SAN) | Leading international arbitrator and specialist in energy/construction disputes. |
| Afam Osigwe (SAN) | President-elect of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). |
| Funke Adekoya (SAN) | Renowned independent arbitrator and member of the ICC Court. |
| Lawal Pedro (SAN) | Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State. |
3. Boosting Capital Inflows and Investor Certainty
According to statements from ICC Nigeria, establishing a reliable, transparent, and swift dispute resolution mechanism is no longer just a legal preference—it is an essential requirement for economic growth.
By bringing together top legal professionals and business leaders to align African arbitration practices with top global standards, the conference aims to lower the “risk premium” often associated with cross-border African commerce. This legal infrastructure gives international joint-venture partners and project financiers the confidence that their capital investments are backed by a predictable, world-class legal system.
