The use of arbitration in Africa is on the rise. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, an arbitration training provider, claims an increasing number of parties across the continent have embraced arbitration, “as a preferred method of dispute resolution outside courts.”

Yet there are still some challenging misconceptions about the skills and abilities of arbitrators hailing from African countries. This has led to their underrepresentation in arbitration opportunities abroad.

Abayomi Okubote, a Law PhD candidate at Queen’s, wants to change that. After attending a series of arbitration community events in 2018, he recognized the need for a platform to expose young practitioners in Africa to the current trends and developments in international commercial and investment arbitration.

“The Africa Arbitration Academy was conceived to fix the disconnect between young arbitration practitioners in Africa and the international arbitration community,” he says. “Through lectures, networking receptions, workshops and mock arbitration hearings, participants expanded their perspectives on international arbitration and were enriched with better professional skills and knowledge.”

In June, the inaugural Academy held in London and united 25 young practitioners from 13 African countries with mentors and experts from around the world, offering significant learning and networking opportunities to these rising stars. The event proved to be a strong launch point for the Academy, which is currently enjoying strong support from the arbitration community, law firms and academics the world over.

In recognition of both his ambition and the success of this new initiative, Okubote was recently recognized with the Queen’s School of Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs’ Award in Leadership, Innovation and Community Engagement. This award was created to recognize exceptional graduate students who are making a meaningful difference in the world while also demonstrating the highest standards of academic excellence.

Okubote feels having the university recognize his work has been a great achievement, though he is quick give credit to the steering committee members who helped make the Academy a success. In addition to the broader international community, he has enjoyed the support of Professor Alyssa King and Queen’s Law staff member Dianne Flint. He has special praise for his PhD supervisor, Professor Joshua Karton, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.

“Professor Karton graciously introduced me to some thought leaders within the arbitration field  who all came to speak at the Academy,” says Okubote. “He also took a class at the Academy program in June. Sincerely, I could not have wished for more from a supervisor.”

The Africa Arbitration Academy will host annual events going forward and the Academy is currently in the process of registering as a recognized course provider in Africa.

In the meantime, Okubote continues to work on his PhD thesis, which focuses on third-party funding in international arbitration. In keeping up with community engagement, he has been producing a series of animated videos to teach the basics of international arbitration in English, French and Arabic:

Learn more about the Academy on its LinkedIn page.

By Phil Gaudreau