Arbitration Kenya

President Ruto Urges Resolution of African Commercial Disputes in Africa

Published 2026-06-23 1 source ADR Arbitration Arbitration Reform Commercial Disputes Kenya Kenya

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TL;DR

  • President Ruto urged that African commercial disputes be settled in Africa.
  • He criticized current reliance on foreign arbitration forums like London, Paris, and Geneva.
  • Less than 8% of arbitrators in leading global institutions are from Africa.
  • Chief Justice Martha Koome emphasized ADR's benefits to the business environment.

Overview

Kenyan President William Ruto called for African commercial disputes to be resolved within the continent rather than through foreign arbitration forums. He spoke at the Africa Chief Justice Alternative Dispute Resolution Summit in Nairobi, highlighting the underrepresentation of African arbitrators in global arbitral institutions and advocating for sovereignty in dispute settlement.

What Happened

On June 19, 2026, President William Ruto addressed the Africa Chief Justice Alternative Dispute Resolution Summit in Nairobi.

He questioned why many African commercial disputes are resolved in forums abroad, notably in cities such as London, Paris, and Geneva, despite the investments and interests being in Africa.

Ruto pointed out that fewer than 8% of arbitrators appointed by leading global arbitral institutions are African and that Africa lacks any of the five most preferred venues for arbitration.

He encouraged resolving disputes on African soil, handled by African jurists in African institutions, framing the shift as an issue of sovereignty rather than protectionism.

Kenyan Chief Justice Martha Koome also spoke, endorsing alternative dispute resolution for its ability to reduce costs, maintain commercial relationships, and enhance trust in the business environment.

Context

There is a growing movement within Africa to localize the resolution of commercial disputes, both to strengthen regional legal infrastructure and to keep economic value within the continent.

The summit reflects ongoing discussions about the adequacy of African ADR institutions and their global representation, set against the practice of referring disputes to established centers in Europe.

Why It Matters

  • Ruto's remarks highlight a call for increased self-reliance and the development of local arbitration capacity in Africa.
  • If acted upon, this could reduce financial and strategic dependency on foreign arbitral centers and enhance the role of African practitioners and institutions in dispute resolution.

Sources

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