From March 12 to 14, 2025, AfGAC hosted a dynamic three-day arbitration training in Nairobi, bringing together legal professionals and students for an intensive and practice-oriented learning experience. Led by German and Kenyan experts, the programme blended theory, practical application, and mentorship to strengthen local arbitration capacity.
AfGAC Hosts Arbitration Training in Nairobi for Lawyers and Students
From March 12 to 14, 2025, the African-German Arbitration Cooperation (AfGAC), in partnership with the Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA), delivered a three-day in-person arbitration training in Nairobi. The training targeted both legal professionals and students, with separate tracks tailored to their respective learning levels, and was facilitated by trainers from the Hamburg Arbitration Circle and leading Kenyan arbitration experts.
Participants benefitted from the expertise of:
- Ms. Christina von Hausen and Ms. Ronja von Poschinger-Camphausen (Hamburg Arbitration Circle)
- Ms. Eunice Lumallas, FCIArb, Sen. Dr. (Arch) Sylvia M. Kasanga, Ms. Florence Oduk, and Ms. Faith Chelangat (Kenya)
- Mr. Henry Murigi and the NCIA Secretariat, who provided invaluable logistical support
Practical Learning for Practitioners and Students
The lawyers’ programme covered a range of core topics, including tribunal jurisdiction, provisional measures, arbitral hearings, evidence, award enforcement, and the impact of corruption on arbitration. Trainers linked legal concepts to real-world scenarios, offering participants a deeper understanding of arbitration’s relevance across sectors, from construction to banking.
Simultaneously, law students from eight universities received foundational training on arbitration processes and principles. The highlight was a final-day moot competition, where students argued simulated arbitration cases in teams, applying what they had learned through oral advocacy and procedural strategy.
Interactive Teaching and Sectoral Impact
The training’s strong emphasis on interaction – through case studies, Q&A sessions, and simulations – deepened participant engagement and knowledge retention. Lawyers praised the practical focus, while students expressed increased confidence in navigating arbitration procedures.
AfGAC’s Nairobi training affirms the initiative’s broader commitment to arbitration education in Africa. It strengthened cross-generational learning, promoted local ownership of global arbitration standards, and contributed to Kenya’s growing reputation as a regional hub for alternative dispute resolution.