Francophone Africa is an important and growing market, dynamic and rich in business opportunities. Our Francophone Africa arbitration team has deep experience assisting African and international companies operating across the region to manage business and investment risk, as well as advising states and state-owned entities in their relationships with private investors.
We combine extensive international commercial and investment treaty experience with in-depth knowledge of key sectors in Francophone African countries, including oil and gas, construction, mining and minerals, infrastructure, transportation (railway, shipping and aviation) and telecoms.
We guide our clients through the unique challenges and opportunities of arbitrating in the region and help them to achieve the best possible outcome for their businesses. Recent successes include a $170 million ICC award in favor of a major construction group in an arbitration brought against the State of Gabon in a dispute involving undue pressure and allegations of corruption, and successfully obtaining a conservatory measure on a state asset valued at €400 million.
We are well-versed in acting in arbitral proceedings under the rules of the major arbitration institutions, including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution (SCAI), and the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA). We also represent clients in ad hoc arbitrations under the OHADA (Organisation pour l’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires) Uniform Act on Arbitration and the UNCITRAL (United Nations Commission on International Trade Law) Rules. Our wide experience covers arbitration-related litigation, including representing clients in annulment proceedings before state courts.
- "Reed Smith is frequently entrusted by international companies facing commercial arbitration disputes in the energy, construction and transport sectors and regularly acts in Africa-related matters." The Legal 500 EMEA – France 2023
- “A team with very strong expertise, arbitration skills, flexibility, availability.” The Legal 500 EMEA – France 2022
- “The practice offers long-standing experience in African-related disputes.” The Legal 500 EMEA – France 2021
We are well-versed in acting in arbitral proceedings under the rules of the major arbitration institutions, including the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), the Swiss Chambers’ Arbitration Institution (SCAI), and the Cairo Regional Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (CRCICA). We also represent clients in ad hoc arbitrations under the Organisation pour l’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires (OHADA) Uniform Act on Arbitration and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) rules. Our wide experience covers arbitration-related litigation, including representing clients in annulment proceedings before state courts.