Guide to Dispute Resolution in Africa 2025

Much like the themes explored throughout this issue of Inside Arbitration, the Guide reflects the growing sophistication of Africa's dispute resolution landscape and the rapid evolution of regulatory, economic and geopolitical forces shaping how parties navigate risk.

Drawing on more than four decades of advising on complex disputes across Africa, the Guide distils jurisdiction‑specific insights into court structures, procedural rules, enforcement pathways and the accelerating role of arbitration (both onshore and offshore) supported by the growth of African arbitral institutions and modernised legislative regimes.

As Africa continues to accelerate its economic integration, digital transformation and regulatory reform — driven by the AfCFTA, the strengthening of regional arbitral frameworks and the modernisation of court systems — cross‑border disputes are becoming increasingly likely and increasingly complex. In this environment, the need for clarity, strategy and effective dispute management has never been greater. The Guide offers businesses, states and investors a practical roadmap for navigating contentious risk across both emerging and established markets, combining comparative analyses with on‑the‑ground insight from our teams in Johannesburg, London and Paris, supported by our extensive network of local counsel.

Whether entering a new market, managing multi‑jurisdictional exposure or preparing for arbitration, the Guide to Dispute Resolution in Africa provides a trusted, forward‑looking resource for decision‑makers operating across the continent’s fast‑changing commercial landscape.