24/07/2026
Women’s participation in arbitration should not be viewed merely as a question of representation. It is a question of Africa’s competitiveness.
As African economies become increasingly complex, the disputes arising from infrastructure, energy, mining, finance, technology, climate finance and ESG require diverse expertise, sound judgment and multidisciplinary thinking. Greater participation of women strengthens Africa’s intellectual capital, enriches decision-making, challenges groupthink, strengthens institutional leadership and enhances confidence in the legitimacy of arbitral processes.
The future of African arbitration will not be determined solely by modern laws or favourable geography. It will be shaped by the quality of our institutions, the depth of our talent and the confidence our dispute resolution systems inspire. Fully harnessing the expertise and leadership of women is therefore not simply an inclusion objective. It is a strategic investment in positioning Africa as a trusted and competitive global arbitration destination.
I am honored to have been part of the panel 1 on ‘Women shaping the future of ADR’ alongside a representation of stong leaders during the Dar Arbitration Week which was quite insightful.