The 7th International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Africa Conference on International Arbitration which coincides with the 100-year anniversary of the International Court of Arbitration began on May 31 and will run till June 2, 2023, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking to the theme of the conference, “International Arbitration and ADR: The African journey so far and looking forward”, Dorothy Udeme Ufot, Principal Partner, Dorothy Ufot & Co, and Chairperson, ICC Nigeria, Commission on Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR said,
“We want to ask ourselves hard questions. We want to examine our journey so far because the international arbitration community [once] believed that Africans did not have the intellectual competence to resolve the disputes.
But today we are saying that the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators is the fastest-growing branch and we have many people that are qualified to act as counsel and arbitrators. When I began as an arbitrator over 10 years ago, Africans were not welcome. But that has changed. So, what are our prospects for the next 10 years?”
The Co-chairs of the Conference Planning Committee Adedapo Tunde-Olowu, SAN, Managing Partner, AELEX Partners and Jean Chiazor Anishere, SAN highlighted the sessions, erudite speakers, and the networking opportunities at the conference, including a Gala night.
The event will also include a fireside chat with the President of the ICC Court, Ms Claudia Salomon, African businessman, Oscar Onyema and the president of ICC, Tony Elumelu. Participants will also have the opportunity to experience a simulation of the ICC Court Arbitration proceedings in session.
Speaking to the impact of the conference on the sector, the Chairperson said, we need a seat at the table. If foreigners are coming to invest in Africa, we want to be appointed to resolve disputes involving not only African parties but also foreign parties. And we want Nigeria to be a seat of arbitration in Africa.”
