The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents one of Africa's most ambitious economic integration initiatives, creating unprecedented opportunities for increased intra-African trade, investment, and economic cooperation. As cross-border commercial activities continue to expand under the AfCFTA framework, the need for efficient, accessible, and commercially responsive dispute prevention and resolution
Mechanisms have become increasingly critical to ensuring a predictable and secure trading environment.

Recognising the vital role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in facilitating seamless trade and investment, this Roundtable seeks to examine how national dispute resolution institutions can support the effective implementation of the AfCFTA. It will provide a platform for policymakers, dispute resolution practitioners, legal professionals, business leaders, academics, and representatives of relevant institutions to discuss practical approaches to strengthening Africa's dispute resolution ecosystem.

The discussions will focus on the role of ADR in supporting cross-border trade, enhancing investor confidence, building institutional capacity, promoting collaboration among national and regional dispute resolution institutions, and developing practical strategies for improving access to efficient dispute resolution mechanisms across the continent. Particular attention will be given to the role of national institutions, such as the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce Dispute Resolution Centre (NCC-DRC), in bridging the gap between the AfCFTA dispute resolution framework and the practical needs of businesses engaged in intra-African commerce.