Arbitrator / Mediator

Dispute resolution outside courts

What this life looks like

You resolve disputes outside the courtroom. Arbitrators and Mediators provide alternative dispute resolution (ADR) — faster, cheaper, and more private than court litigation. As Africa's business environment grows and cross-border commercial disputes multiply, dispute resolution professionals who can resolve matters without the delay of African court systems are in exceptional and growing demand.

What she actually does

Arbitrators act as private judges — hearing evidence and legal arguments from parties to a dispute and issuing a binding arbitral award. Mediators facilitate negotiation between disputing parties, helping them reach a voluntary settlement without imposing a decision. Both roles require deep legal knowledge, authority, neutrality, and excellent interpersonal skills.

Where you can work

Sector	Places in Africa
African Arbitration Centres	Lagos Court of Arbitration, Kigali International Arbitration Centre, CRCICA (Cairo), MCIA (Mauritius)
International Centres	ICC International Court of Arbitration, LCIA, ICSID — all handle African cases regularly
Law Firms	All major African law firms have ADR practices and refer work to independent arbitrators and mediators
Construction & Energy	Major infrastructure and energy projects in Africa generate significant arbitration — specialist arbitrators are highly valued

Why it matters in Africa

Africa's infrastructure projects, mining investments, and commercial transactions regularly spawn major disputes. The Kigali International Arbitration Centre, Lagos Court of Arbitration, and Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration are all growing, positioning Africa as a hub for dispute resolution. Companies increasingly prefer arbitration to African courts for cross-border disputes.

Your pathway in

Build a strong career as a lawyer first — most arbitrators come from practice backgrounds of 15+ years
Pursue training and accreditation through the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) — the global standard
Study international arbitration rules: ICC, UNCITRAL, LCIA, and African arbitration centre rules
Build a reputation as a specialist in a sector — construction, energy, mining, or commercial — where disputes are common
Apply for appointment as arbitrator through arbitration centres as your career develops

Skills you will need

Arbitration and mediation procedure
Evidence evaluation
Award writing
Neutrality and fairness
Sector expertise
Commercial law knowledge

A woman in this field

Funke Adekoya

Nigeria

Funke is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, widely recognised as one of West Africa's foremost arbitration practitioners. She has served as arbitrator and counsel in major commercial arbitrations involving energy, construction, and financial disputes across Africa and internationally. She is a former chair of the Lagos Court of Arbitration and a prolific writer and speaker on arbitration law in Africa.

Research what arbitration is and how it differs from court litigation — the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) website at ciarb.org has excellent free resources
Study the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards — it is the foundation of international arbitration
Research the Lagos Court of Arbitration and Kigali International Arbitration Centre to understand African arbitration institutions
Follow the Kluwer Arbitration Blog for accessible commentary on international arbitration developments