Ms Foluke Akinmoladun, a Nigerian legal practitioner, has challenged Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) professionals across Africa to strengthen their technical, intellectual and ethical competencies to position the continent as a global hub for ADR practice.
Speaking virtually at the 2026 Africa ADR Conference, she noted that the future of ADR in Africa should be centred on exporting excellence rather than importing expertise.
She called for a reversal of the trend whereby disputes arising from African commercial transactions were resolved outside the continent, despite the presence of credible indigenous ADR institutions capable of handling such matters.
Ms Akinmoladun said ADR practitioners must position themselves to earn global respect and confidence as economic and commercial activities continued to expand across Africa.
The conference, on the theme: “Positioning Africa as a Hub for Alternative Dispute Resolution Practice: Building Capacity, Recognition, Credibility and Economic Impact,” was organised by the Africa Centre for Collaborative Dispute Resolution (AfCCoDR) in collaboration with the Association of Conflict, Peace and Security Experts in Africa (ACPSEA).
It brought together ADR practitioners, legal professionals, academics, policymakers, business leaders, students and development partners committed to advancing peaceful and effective dispute resolution across the continent.
Highlighting Africa’s progress in ADR, Ms Akinmoladun expressed concern about the continent’s low representation in global arbitration appointments and leadership positions within international ADR institutions, despite the adoption of modern arbitration laws and supporting frameworks.
“Africa must now build the confidence and capacity necessary to resolve a greater share of disputes on the continent. The vision is not merely to host hearings in Africa,” she said.
“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.”
Ms Akinmoladun, Managing Solicitor of Trizon Law Chambers, Ikoyi, Lagos, identified digital literacy, advocacy and cultural intelligence as additional competencies required of ADR professionals.
“The future practitioner must be multidisciplinary. A construction arbitration, for instance, requires an understanding of the construction industry. The successful ADR practitioner of the future must combine legal excellence with commercial understanding,” she said.
“Let us commit to building institutions that inspire confidence, developing practitioners who command global respect, and creating a dispute resolution ecosystem that contributes meaningfully to Africa’s prosperity.”
Mr Isaac Asare, Founder and President of AfCCoDR and ACPSEA, described ADR as a vital tool for peacebuilding, access to justice, economic growth and sustainable development.
He reaffirmed the organisations’ commitment to resolving conflicts through dialogue and said the conference formed part of efforts to strengthen and advance ADR practice 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,” Mr Asare said.
“We recognise that sustainable development cannot thrive where peace is absent. Nations cannot fully develop, businesses cannot flourish, investments cannot be sustained, and communities cannot prosper in environments characterised by conflict and instability.”
Ms Mina Mensah, Secretary-General of ACPSEA, said the conference sought to highlight both the successes and challenges of ADR practice in Africa, identify strategies to build practitioners’ capacity, and examine the role of ADR in promoting trade and investment.
She said the deliberations would deepen understanding of ADR and inspire collective action towards building stronger dispute resolution systems across the continent.
Participants shared experiences and insights on ADR practice in Africa, while some called for enhanced public education, stronger regulatory frameworks and accountability mechanisms for practitioners.