twitter Facebook Linkedin acp Contact Us

East Africa International Arbitration Conference returns to Nairobi

Kenyan government has defended two high profile investment arbitrations. (Image source: Nahashon Diaz/Pixabay)

The annual East Africa International Arbitration Conference (EAIAC) will be held in Nairobi from 29-30 August 2019, providing a platform for international arbitration practitioners, arbitration users, state counsel, academia and in-house corporate lawyers to learn international arbitration as an important tool for promoting FDI in Africa

EAIAC provides a forum to promote, profile and celebrate Africa’s international arbitration and arbitrators​.

Themed “Government Contracting and Investment Disputes: Lessons for States and Investors” the conference will explore the full spectrum of government contracting from procurement and public-private partnerships (PPPs), tender disputes, dispute mitigation in government contracts, investment arbitration and arbitrating with governments in African centres.

Boosted by the long -term development blueprint, Vision 2030 and its mid-term development plan, the Big Four Agenda, Kenya is indeed a fitting venue for the conference. The country has experienced a surge in government contracting over the recent past and only last year, the Kenyan government successfully defended two high profile investment arbitrations: an ICC arbitration relating to the power sector; and an ICSID arbitration in the mining sector.

Notably, across Kenya's borders, various African countries have also published blueprints to be mid-level economies by the first half of this century. The momentum for investment in Africa's investment in renewable energy, infrastructure development, agriculture, healthcare and education continues despite global uncertainty. These interests in African economies is further encouraged by the establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) which entered into force on 30 May 2019 with 24 out of 55 Africa states have deposited their instruments of ratification.

All these developments set out a strong case for international arbitration and its development in the continent. It is for this reason that the East Africa International Arbitration platform exists, to promote the arbitration practice, support Africa centres build relationships and their profile, create a platform for shared experience, a place where arbitration practitioners and users can meet to network and acquire new skills.

The Bell team in Richards Bay consists of more than 800 machinists, welders, and assemblers. (Image source: Bell)

GFE Power Product’s extensive range covers generators from 10 kVA up to 3,000 kVA. (Image source: GFE Power Products)

The funding is the largest-ever equity raise in the minigrid industry according to Husk. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The initiative will help African contractors participate in annual infrastructure investments. (Image source: Afreximbank)

ITS has evolved into a sophisticated systems approach, providing numerous opportunities to revolutionise road networks. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Invest International’s Lara Muller; Ivory Coast Minister of Finance and Economy, Adam Coulibaly; and Ambassador Designate to Ivory Coast, Jeroen Kelderhuis. (Image source: Invest International)

The Yellow Metal Machine Rental team with some Wacker Neuson equipment. (Image source: Wacker Neuson)

Although displaying resilience, the report warns that African banks remain exposed to physical climate risks due to both sovereign and industry lending. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

WAA and VCMI will seek to establish regulatory frameworks to enable access to high integrity and fair voluntary carbon markets for WAA member countries. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

The parties will also promote the mutual exchange of information and expertise in the field of export credit policies and practices. (Image source: TBD Group)

Inside Condra’s Johannesburg factory: an overhead crane positions an electric motor during assembly of hoist and crab. (Image source: Condra)

IVECO is renewing its entire product range, all at once. (Image source: IVECO)

The MoU was signed alongside the Africa Health Business Symposium. (Image source: Africa CDC)

Both the IMF and EIU expect SSA to rank as the world’s second fastest growing economy in 2024. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

There has been a focus on the sugar industry. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Evolving concept of energy security must address energy demand, system flexibility, technology access and infrastructure development, says IRENA. (Image source: IRENA)

World Bank & African Development Bank partner to provide electricity access to 300 million Africans by 2030, leveraging public-private investments. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

(L-R): Dr Diane Karusisi, CEO, Bank of Kigali and Dr Reda Helal, group managing director – processing, Africa and co-head group processing, Network International. (Image source: Network International)

At WFES, Gotion High-tech will showcase its latest products and leading green energy solutions at its booth. (Image source: Gotion High-tech)

The new Perkins 5012 is a full-authority electronic engine optimised and purpose-built for power generation applications. (Image source: Perkins)

SSAB will begin deliveries of the new products in 2026.

The key issues restricting sub-Saharan Africa’s manufacturing sector will be unpacked at Manufacturing Indaba later this year. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Through the innovative solution, each vessel can fill two tank containers on average between two ports. (Image source: Maersk)

Hyphen is developing sub-Saharan Africa’s largest, most advanced and only fully-vertical integrated green hydrogen project. (Image source: Hyphen)

According to Liebherr, the Used Equipment Marketplace is extremely user-friendly. (Image source: Liebherr)

Electricity storage will be pivotal in unlocking renewable projects and meeting energy demand. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

With RFID, assets can be given unique digital identities that enable users to identify and locate them all at once, from a distance, in real time. (Image source: Brady)

Africa Data Centres and DPA SA have broken ground on their solar farm in the Free State. (Image source: Africa Data Centres)

A Cat PM310 Cold Planer in action. (Image source: Caterpillar)

A larger stockholding of WEG products facilitates ready access for customers. (Image source: WEG Africa)