Chief justices from across Africa have agreed to strengthen alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms to support the effective implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The commitment was made during the 3rd Africa Chief Justices’ ADR Summit held in Nairobi, Kenya, from June 18 to 19.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Tobi Soniyi, Special Assistant on Media to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the judicial leaders resolved to harmonise dispute resolution systems across the continent to ensure faster, more efficient and predictable resolution of commercial disputes.
The judges noted that legal certainty is essential for business confidence, adding that a well-structured ADR system would strengthen commercial justice, protect the business environment and advance the objectives of AfCFTA.
Speaking at the summit, Justice Kekere-Ekun urged African judiciaries to prepare for the growing challenges that would accompany increased intra-African trade.
She described AfCFTA as one of Africa’s most ambitious economic integration projects, stressing that its success would depend not only on trade agreements and economic policies but also on strong institutions capable of resolving commercial disputes efficiently.
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Justice Kekere-Ekun called on judiciaries, central banks, tax authorities and ADR institutions across the continent to work together to reduce uncertainty, prevent disputes and improve investor confidence.
According to her, expanding regional trade will inevitably lead to more cross-border disputes involving taxation, banking, foreign exchange, digital commerce, enforcement of arbitral awards, recognition of foreign judgements and regional supply chains.
She urged judicial leaders to prioritise dispute prevention, saying successful commercial systems are those that minimise litigation rather than generate more court cases.
The CJN described ADR as a strategic tool that lowers transaction costs, preserves business relationships, strengthens investor confidence, eases pressure on courts and improves the ease of doing business.
She also cited the Supreme Court’s decision in EMTS v. AFDIN Ventures Ltd. & Ors. (2026) as evidence of Nigeria’s commitment to arbitration and commercial certainty, saying the judgement reaffirmed respect for arbitration agreements, recognised consent through conduct, promoted judicial restraint and upheld the finality of arbitral awards.
Justice Kekere-Ekun further identified the prompt resolution of tax disputes as vital to commercial certainty, highlighting Nigeria’s Tax Appeal Tribunal as a key institutional innovation.
At the close of the summit, the Chief Justice of Kenya nominated Justice Kekere-Ekun as vice-chairperson of the Africa Chief Justice ADR Forum, with effect from August 1. The nomination was later ratified by members of the forum.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.