What this life looks like
You operate where law meets global politics. International Law Specialists advise governments, international organisations, multinational companies, and NGOs on the rules that govern relations between states and across borders — from trade treaties to maritime law to the laws of armed conflict. Africa, as a continent of 55 sovereign states with complex relationships with the global legal order, offers unique scope for international legal practice.
What she actually does
You advise on treaty obligations and interpretation, represent states in international dispute settlement, advise companies on cross-border legal risks, navigate the law of international organisations, advise on sanctions, negotiate international agreements, litigate before international courts and arbitral tribunals, and advise governments on compliance with international human rights and trade obligations.
Where you can work
| Sector | Places in Africa |
|---|---|
| International Organisations | United Nations Legal Division, ICC, ICJ, WTO Appellate Body, ICSID, International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea |
| African Bodies | African Union Commission Legal Division, ECOWAS Court of Justice, COMESA Court of Justice, AfDB Legal |
| Government | Foreign Affairs ministries, Office of the Attorney General, trade ministry legal advisers |
| Private Practice | Foley Hoag International, Curtis Mallet-Prevost, White & Case, Freshfields — all active in Africa |
Why it matters in Africa
African states are parties to hundreds of international treaties and active participants in international organisations including the UN, WTO, ICC, and African Union. The AfCFTA is creating a new body of African trade law. Climate change negotiations, ISDS (Investor-State Dispute Settlement) cases, and maritime boundary disputes are creating significant demand for international law expertise grounded in African perspectives.
Your pathway in
- Study Law (LLB) with excellent results, focusing on public international law, international trade, and human rights
- Pursue an LLM in International Law at a leading institution — LSE, Cambridge, NYU, or University of Pretoria
- Gain experience through internships at international organisations: UN, ICC, WTO, African Union, AfDB
- Develop language skills — French, Portuguese, and Arabic open doors to legal careers across African regions
- Network within international law communities through ASIL (American Society of International Law) and ESIL
Skills you will need
- Public international law
- Treaty interpretation
- International dispute resolution
- Diplomatic negotiation
- Comparative law
- Multilingual ability
A woman in this field
Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma
South Africa
Nkosazana is a medical doctor and statesperson who served as Chairperson of the African Union Commission — the executive body of the AU — and previously as South Africa's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Health. Her career at the intersection of African law, international relations, and public health policy represents the highest level of international institutional leadership Africa has produced. Her work shaped the African Union's agenda on integration, peace, and development.
Take your first step
- Study the UN Charter — it is the foundational document of modern international law and freely available at un.org
- Research what the African Union does and how its legal system works — the AU Constitutive Act is the starting document
- Follow the International Court of Justice (ICJ) — they publish all their judgments online, and several involve African states
- Look into the LLM programmes in international law at University of Pretoria's Centre for Human Rights — it is one of Africa's strongest programmes
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