UNCITRAL Day in Africa 2026
About the Event
The role of UNCITRAL in the modernization and harmonization of international trade law
Event Theme: UNCITRAL Mediation and Arbitration Rules: Lessons for AfCFTA for Non-State Actors Dispute Resolution
The Africa Centre for Collaborative Dispute Resolution – AfCCoDR, in partnership with the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law – UNCITRAL, hosts UNCITRAL Day in Africa 2026. This flagship virtual forum brings together UNCITRAL legal experts, African policymakers, and ADR practitioners to examine how UNCITRAL standards are shaping dispute resolution under the African Continental Free Trade Area – AfCFTA.
As intra-African trade grows, resolving commercial disputes efficiently is critical. This session focuses on the practical application of UNCITRAL Mediation and Arbitration Rules for non-state actors, the challenges of harmonizing trade law across jurisdictions, and lessons Africa can draw to build credibility and trust in cross-border transactions.
What you’ll learn:
- UNCITRAL Frameworks: Updates on UNCITRAL’s work in modernizing international trade law
- AfCFTA + ADR: How mediation and arbitration rules can resolve disputes for businesses and investors under AfCFTA
- African Perspectives: Insights from legal officers, magistrates, and practitioners in Ghana, Nigeria, and Cameroon
- Capacity & Practice: Tools to strengthen ADR institutions and professional standards across Africa
Event Details
- Time: 11:00am GMT – Ghana | 12:00pm – Nigeria/Cameroon | 1:00pm – Central Europe | 2:00pm – East Africa
- Format: Online via Zoom – Live
- Duration: 3 hours
- Fee: Free, registration required
Key Speakers & Panelists
- Benjamin Herisset – Legal Officer & Technical Assistance Coordinator, UNCITRAL Secretariat
- Isaac Asare – Founder & President, AfCCoDR, Accra Ghana
- Ms. Judith Knieper – Legal Officer, Working Group 11 Dispute Resolution Secretary, UNCITRAL Secretariat
- Dr. Kenfack Gaston – Magistrate & Director of Legislation, Ministry of Justice, Cameroon
- Mrs. Elom Gold Amaka – Legal Practitioner & Deputy Director, Federal Ministry of Justice, Nigeria
- Foluke Akinmoladun FCArb – Managing Solicitor, Trizon Law Chambers, Nigeria
Who should attend: Lawyers, arbitrators, mediators, trade law experts, academics, government officials, AfCFTA stakeholders, and anyone interested in ADR and international commercial dispute resolution in Africa.
AfCCoDR: Bringing Peace to Every Home in Africa
UNCITRAL #AfCCoDR #AfCFTA #ADR #Mediation #Arbitration #DisputeResolution #Africa
About the Organizer
