Africa’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) sector must shift from relying on foreign expertise to becoming a globally respected source of dispute resolution services, Nigerian legal practitioner Foluke Akinmoladun has said.
Speaking virtually at the 2026 Africa ADR Conference, Ms Akinmoladun challenged ADR professionals across the continent to strengthen their technical, intellectual and ethical competencies to position Africa as a preferred destination for arbitration, mediation and other dispute resolution services.
She expressed concern that many disputes arising from African commercial transactions continue to be resolved outside the continent despite the existence of credible local institutions and practitioners capable of handling such cases. According to her, Africa’s growing economic and commercial landscape presents an opportunity for ADR professionals to earn international confidence and recognition.
“The vision is not merely to host hearings in Africa. The vision is to create a continent where parties actively choose African institutions, African arbitrators, African mediators and African seats because they trust the quality of the services provided,” she stated.
The conference, organised by the Africa Centre for Collaborative Dispute Resolution (AfCCoDR) in partnership with the Association of Conflict, Peace and Security Experts in Africa (ACPSEA), brought together legal practitioners, academics, policymakers, business leaders and development partners to explore ways of strengthening ADR practice across the continent.
Ms Akinmoladun noted that although many African countries have adopted modern arbitration laws and dispute resolution frameworks, the continent remains underrepresented in global arbitration appointments and leadership positions within international ADR institutions.
She stressed that future ADR practitioners must go beyond legal knowledge by developing digital literacy, cultural intelligence and commercial expertise to effectively manage increasingly complex disputes. Using construction arbitration as an example, she said successful practitioners must understand the industries in which disputes arise.
Founder and President of AfCCoDR and ACPSEA, Isaac Asare, described ADR as a critical tool for peacebuilding, economic growth and sustainable development. He said stronger dispute resolution systems were essential for fostering trust, attracting investment and promoting stability across Africa.
“The future of our continent depends not only on how we resolve disputes but also on how we preserve relationships, build trust and foster collaboration,” he said.
Secretary-General of ACPSEA, Mina Mensah, said the conference aimed to identify practical strategies for building the capacity of ADR practitioners while examining the role of dispute resolution in advancing trade, investment and economic development.
Participants also called for greater public awareness of ADR, stronger regulatory frameworks and enhanced accountability mechanisms to boost confidence in dispute resolution systems across the continent.
