The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has announced that Lagos, Nigeria, will once again be the host city for a major continental legal gathering. The 10th anniversary edition of the ICC Africa Conference on International Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) is scheduled to take place from June 3 to 5, 2026.
A Flagship Event Returns to Its Roots
This significant conference, which first debuted in Lagos in 2016, is making a celebrated return to its founding city for its milestone tenth year. After hosting the first seven editions, the event moved to Nairobi, Kenya, for its eighth and ninth gatherings. The 2026 edition marks a homecoming, with activities set to be held at the prestigious Lagos Continental Hotel on Victoria Island.
Professor Dorothy Ufot, SAN, the Chair of the Arbitration and ADR Commission of ICC Nigeria, has hailed the upcoming anniversary conference in grand terms. She described it as “the mother of all Arbitration and ADR conferences on the African Continent.” Ufot expressed excitement about assembling the finest minds in the field from across Africa and beyond, noting the event will offer a unique platform for engagement with leading experts.
What to Expect at the 2026 Conference
The three-day forum has established itself as a premier event for legal professionals and stakeholders across Africa. It is designed to foster deep discussions on contemporary issues and challenges within international arbitration and ADR.
The conference agenda will be packed with insightful sessions, including:
- Keynote addresses from globally recognised figures.
- Interactive panel discussions on pressing topics.
- Networking sessions to connect participants with experts.
The target audience is broad, encompassing lawyers, arbitrators, judges, policymakers, and university students from across the continent. A high-powered planning committee is currently developing a comprehensive theme that will address the entire arbitration and ADR ecosystem in Africa, with details to be released later.
Bolstering Nigeria's Position in Global Trade
Hosting this landmark event reinforces Lagos's and Nigeria's standing as a central hub for legal and commercial discourse in Africa. ICC Nigeria, the national committee of the world business organisation dedicated to promoting international trade and investment, is at the forefront of organising this gathering.
The return of the conference to Lagos is expected to draw a diverse array of delegates and speakers from around Africa and the world, facilitating crucial knowledge exchange and shaping the future of dispute resolution on the continent.
