April 3, 2025
ABOUT
The Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA) is excited to announce the 2nd Nairobi Arbitration Week (NAW2025), set to take place from March 17th – 21st, 2025. Building on the momentum of its inaugural event, NAW2025 will focus on the Theme: “Arbitrating in the Age of Sustainability,” addressing the dynamic interplay between arbitration and sustainable development in today’s world. As a rising hub for international arbitration, Nairobi offers a unique platform to explore the evolving landscape of dispute resolution in the context of sustainability. NAW2025 will gather a diverse array of local and global arbitration practitioners, in-house counsel, academics, and industry experts to discuss cutting-edge topics that are shaping the future of arbitration.
Throughout the week, participants will engage in a variety of formats—from panel discussions and workshops to networking events and interactive sessions. Alongside these enriching programs, we are excited to introduce the 1st Domestic Arbitration Moot, where rising legal talents will showcase their skills and innovation in a competitive setting. Attendees will have the chance to gain insights from leading voices in the field, share their perspectives, and contribute to the growing dialogue on how arbitration can support a more sustainable world. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this landmark event. Join us in Nairobi and be at the forefront of advancing international arbitration. Further details, including speakers and specific sessions, will be announced soon.PROGRAMME
Sub-Theme: The Green Growth Conversation
| Starting Time | Ending Time | Event | Speaker | Moderator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.00 | 8:45 | Registration | NCIA Secretariat | |
| 8.45 | 9:15 | Networking Coffee | ||
| 9.15
|
10:30
|
Opening Session:
Guest Speakers
Keynote Speaker |
• Mr. Daniel Mainda – CEO, NIFCA • Dr. Henry K. Murigi, PhD. Registrar/CEO, NCIA • Ms. Jacqueline Waihenya – Chairman, CIARB Kenya • Ms. Jacqueline Oyuyo Githinji – Board Chairperson, NCIA• Hon. Dorcas Agik Oduor SC, OGW, EBS - Attorney General of the Republic of Kenya |
• John Ohaga SC, C.Arb,FCIArb Senior Partner, TripleOKLaw Advocates• Dr. (Arch) Sylvia M. Kasanga,FCIArb |
| 10:30 | 11:00 | Tea Break | ||
| 11:00 | 12:00 | Sustainable Arbitration Practices: Aligning Dispute Resolution with Green Growth Goals |
• Michelle Porter Wright Partner, Baker McKenzie • Tiffany Grey, Director Designate, Baker McKenzie• Kamau Karori, SC Senior Partner, DLA Piper Africa • Joanne Lau Secretary-General, HKIAC |
Gordon Oduor Lecturer, Strathmore Law School |
| 12:00 | 01:00 | The Role of Arbitration in Advancing Green Growth: Challenges and Opportunities |
• Cindy Oraro Partner,Oraro & Company Advocates • Noella Lubano Partner, Oraro & Company Advocates • Robert Mahenia Partner, Njeru & Co. Advocates • Dr. Tedd Moya Founder, Lex Navitas |
Zahra Omar Associate, Oraro & Company Advocates |
| 13.00 | 14:00 | Networking Lunch | ||
| 14:00 | 15:00 | Arbitrating Environmental Disputes: Case Studies and Lessons Learned | • James Holden - Partner, White & Case LLP, London • Opeyemi Longe - Associate, White & Case LLP, London • Eva Aremo - Associate, Mohammed Muigai LLP • David Onsare, FCIArb - Partner, Maina & Onsare Partners Advocate |
Robert Wheal Partner, White & Case LLP, London |
| 15:00 | 16:00 | The Impact of Environmental Regulations on Arbitration Clauses: Adapting to Evolving Legal Frameworks |
• Jomo Nyaribo Partner, MMAN Advocates • Shai Wade Partner, Head of International Arbitration, RPC • Robert Wheal Partner, White & Case LLP, London • Michelle Porter Partner, Baker McKenzie |
Vincent Oloo Senior Associate, MMAN Advocates |
| 16:00 | 16:30 | Tea Break | ||
| 16:30 | 17.15 | African German Arbitration Cooperation (AfGAC) |
• Christian Graf Legal Director, HCC • Friedrich J. Mehmel Co-founder of LawCom Institute • Victor Mugabe Secretary General, KIAC • Joy Maina Manager, Case Management, NCIA |
Linnea Harting Senior Consultant, (AfGAC) |
Sub-Theme: The Technology Sector
| Starting Time | Ending Time | Event | Speaker | Moderator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.00 | 8:30 | Registration | NCIA Secretariat | |
| 8.30 | 9:30 | Blockchain and Smart Contracts: Revolutionizing Arbitration for Technology Disputes |
• Kate Beretta Partner, Bowmans South Africa • Victoria Kariithi Managing Partner, Mwanyumba Kariithi & Co. Advocates |
Jonathan Barnes Partner, Bowmans, South Africa |
| 9.30 | 10:30 | The Role of Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) in Arbitration: Transforming Case Presentations | • Felix Okoth Co-Founder & CTO mTek Services • Dr. Njeri Ngaruiya Ng’ang’a Faculty Lecturer, Strathmore University • Kavosa Assava Head of Legal, Fallohide Africa |
Terry Mwango FCIArb Partner, Bowmans Kenya |
| 10:30 | 11:00 | Tea Break | ||
| 11:00 | 12:00 | AI and Machine Learning in Arbitration: Ethical considerations | • Ariana Issaias Director, Bowmans Kenya • Otilia Phiri Principal Corporate Counsel, Microsoft • Brian Kuira Head of Strategy & Planning, Oxygene MCL |
Mabvuto Sakala Partner, Bowmans Zambia |
| 12:00 | 01:00 | Case Studies: Regional Perspectives | • Brian Mambosho - Lawyer, Tanzania • Clement Mkiva - Partner, Bowmans Johannesburg • Cecil Kuyo - Partner, Bowmans Johannesburg |
Alfred Deya Partner, Bowmans Kenya |
| 13.00 | 14:00 | Lunch | ||
| 14:00 | 15:00 | Navigating Cross-border IP, Interoperability & Regulatory disputes: Arbitration an option for Telco’s? | • Effie Omondi Senior Associate, Bowmans Kenya • Martha Watane Head of IT, Mawingu Group • Wangechi Gichuki Head, Legal & Secretarial Services, Safaricom PLC |
Clement Mkiva Partner, Bowmans South Africa |
| 15:00 | 16:00 | General Counsel Session: Perspectives for an industry responsive arbitration for telco disputes | • Annemarie Mecca Head of Legal, SSA Google • Mark Lavi Head of Legal & Public Affairs, American Tower Corporation • Wangechi Gichuki Head, Legal & Secretarial Services, Safaricom PLC • Felix Okoth Co-Founder & CTO mTek Services |
Cecil Kuyo Partner, Bowmans Kenya |
| 16:00 | 16:30 | Tea Break & Networking Session | ||
Sub-Theme: The Energy Sector
| Starting Time | Ending Time | Event | Speaker | Moderator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.00 | 8:30 | Registration | NCIA Secretariat | |
| 8.30 | 10:00 | HKIAC Breakfast Session “Arbitration Insight: Bridging Africa and Asia” Current Trade and Investment Landscape between African and Asia. Register: https://hkiac.glueup.com/event/130440/ |
• Aisha Abdallah - Partner, ALN Kenya • Emmanuel Jacomy-Partner, A&O • Huawei Sun SC - Zhong Lun Law Firm • Shearman Sheila Mammet - Senior State Counsel, OAG-K |
Joanne Lau Secretatry General, HKIAC |
| 10.00 | 10:15 | Tea Break | ||
| 10:15 | 11:15 | Solar Promises, Cloudy Outcomes: Renewable Energy Disputes 2.0 | • CS Ibrahim Kitoo, CP3P, Corporation Secretary & Director, Legal Services, EPRA • Beatrice Nyabira Partner, Projects & Infrastructure, IKM Advocates/DLA Piper • Beatrice Chebelyon - Contracts Manager, KenGen |
Robert Dachi Partner, Nyaanga & Mugisha Advocates |
| 11:15 | 12:15 | Leaders Panel: Green Dreams, Hard Reality: Arbitrating Africa’s Energy Future - Is Africa ready for the energy transition? - Who’s paying for net-zero promises? - When energy policies collide with project realities |
• Dr. Victoria Nalule Lawyer & Energy & Mining expert • Dr. Maurice Okeyo, FCIArb Head of Projects Monitoring & Evaluation, Kengen • CS. Justus Wabuyabo CEO, Nuclear Power & Energy Agency |
Barbara Kilei Country Manager, IDLO Uganda |
| 12:15 | 13:15 | Green Energy, Red Flags: Investment Disputes in African Energy & Mining Projects | • Ken Melly Partner, G&A Advocates LLP • Michael Greenop FCIArb Counsel, WilmerHale • Juvenalis Ngowi FCIArb Dentons Tanzania |
Brenda Wagura, MCIArb - CLG, Lawyer & Business Advisor |
| 13.15 | 14:15 | Lunch | ||
| 14:15 | 15:15 | When Infrastructure Projects Implode: Lessons from Africa’s Mega infrastructure Disputes | • Eng. Paul Karekezi, FCIArb Director, GIBB Africa • Jude Obiero Legal Manager, Moja Expressway • Faith Chelangat Consultant, ALN Kenya • Mapanza M. Nkwilimba Legal Director, DLA Piper |
Mercy A. Okiro, FCIArb Chair, National Construction Authority |
| 15:15 | 16:15 | When Time is of the essence: A Case for Construction Adjudication in resolving Construction Disputes | • Eng. Anthony Sang, Chief Manager, Konza • Zack Alakonya Alakonya Law LLP • Eng. Bwalya Lumbwe Managing Consultant, Incipio • Paula Ochango Legal Counsel, Mota-Engil, Engenharia E Construcao Africa, S.A |
Samuel M. Nderitu, FCIArb CIArb Kenya Chair, Emeritus |
| 16:15 | 16:30 | Tea Break | ||
| 16:30 | 18.00 | Cocktail - Beyond the Dispute: Arbitration and Enforcement in the Client’s Strategic Ecosystem | • Claire Davidson - Co-founder, DRD Partnership • Emily Beirne - Lawyer, Kobre & Kim • Oliver Stern - Managing Director, Kroll London • Nikita Bernardi - Director, Adili Group |
Salim Amin Chairman, Camerapix |
CIARB Kenya 9th International Arbitration Conference: The Path to Sustainability in Practice
| Starting Time | Ending Time | Event | Speaker | Moderator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.00 | 8:30 | Registration | NCIA Secretariat | |
| 8.30 | 9:15 | The Chairman Welcome Remarks Keynote Address – Ciarb Global President Chief Justice Martha Koome |
• Jacqueline Waihenya - Chairperson, CIArb,Kenya • Prof. Dr. Mohamed Wahab - President of the Ciarb (2025) |
• John Ohaga SC, C.Arb, FCIArb Senior Partner, TripleOKLaw Advocates • Dr. (Arch) Sylvia M. Kasanga, FCIArb |
| 9.15 | 10:15 |
|
• Hon. Dr. Mumba Malila SC, Chief Justice of |
Dr. Wyne Mutuma, C.Arb, FCIArb CIArb Kenya, Vice Chair |
| 10:15 | 10:45 | Tea Break | ||
| 10:45 | 11:45 | Local Seats, Global Standards: Closing the Divide to Uphold Ethics and Integrity in Arbitration. | • Prof. Githu Muigai, SC, C.Arb, FCIArb - Senior Partner, Mohammed Muigai LLP • Kamau Karori, SC, C.Arb, FCIArb - Senior Partner, IKM Advocates • Dr. Mohammed Wahab, CIArb, FCIArb., Ciarb President • Nakasamba Banda, FCIArb, Chair, Ciarb Zambia |
Noella Lubano, Partner, Oraro & Co. Advocates |
| 11:45 | 12:00 | Keynote Address: | • Hon. Chief Justice Martha Koome, EGH Chief Justice of The Republic of Kenya and President of the Supreme Court of Kenya.
Patron CIarB Kenya |
|
| 12:00 | 13:00 | Show me the Green: Integrating Sustainable practices in the Arbitration profession | • Njeri Kariuki C.Arb, FCIArb Chartered Arbitrator & Accredited Mediator • Gaston Kenfack, President AfAA • Njoroge Regeru C.Arb, FCIArb Managing Partner, Njoroge Regeru and Company Advocates • Athanase Rutabingwa C.Arb, FCIArb Chairman, CIARB Rwanda |
Nchimunya Bernadette Director Legal, State Advocate Zambia |
| 13.00 | 14:00 | Lunch | ||
| 14:00 | 15:00 | When saving pennies costs millions: True cost of Pathological Arbitration Clauses | • Prof. Elijah Putilin, FCArb Independent Arbitrator & Counsel • Dr. Chikwendu Madumere C.Arb, FCIArb, CIARB African Trustee • Daniel Nzeki, MCIArb Luseno & Majanja Adv. |
Charles Kanjama, SC, FCIArb, Senior Partner, Kanjama & Muma Advocates |
| 15:00 | 16:00 | Fireside Chat Trends & Projections in Arbitration, What to look out for in Africa State of arbitration? |
• David Kaggwa FCIArb Chairman, CIARB Uganda • Calvin Nyachoti, C.Arb, FCIArb, Chairman Emeritus, CIARB Kenya • Madeline Kimei, MCIArb President, TIArb |
Irene Kashindi FCIArb Partner, MMK Advocates |
| 16:00 | 16:30 | Book Launch/Italy partners panel | ||
| 16:30 | 17.30 | Tea Break & Networking Session Ecosystem |
Sub-Theme: The Future Resilience of Arbitration
| Starting Time | Ending Time | Event | Speaker | Moderator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.30 | 9:00 | Registration | NCIA Secretariat | |
| 9.00 | 10:30 | Universities Moot Competition Final | NCIA | • John Ohaga SC, C.Arb, FCIArb Senior Partner, TripleOKLaw Advocates • Dr. (Arch) Sylvia M. Kasanga, FCIArb Architect & Accredited Arbitrator |
| 11.00 | 11:30 | Future Resilience of Arbitration | Dr. (Arch) Sylvia M. Kasanga, FCIArb | |
| 11:30 | 12:45 | Evolution of Arbitration Rules: Integrating Future Sustainability and Technological Innovations |
• Biko Angwenyi Associate, Mohammed Muigai LLP • Georgiadis Khaseke Partner, Mohammed Muigai LLP • Ms. Balla Galma Legal Counsel, Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), Mauritius |
Nimo Adan, Associate, Mohammed Muigai LLP |
| 12:45 | 14:00 | Lunch Break | ||
| 14:00 | 15:30 | This House holds that the role of Arbitration if any, in sustainability related disputes is transient | • James Holden - Partner, White & Case London • Usaje Mwambene - Senior, Legal Counsel, Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) • Sheila Mammet - State Counsel, Office of the Attorney General of Kenya |
Kananu Mutea, Founding Partner KM Associates |
| 15.30 | 16:00 | Moot Competition Award Ceremony & Closing |
Hon. Shadrack J. Mose, CBS – Solicitor General, Republic of Kenya |
|
| 16:00 | 16:30 | Tea Break | ||
| 19:00 | 23:00 | Gala Dinner: Rooted in Sustainability Dress Code: Earth Colors | MC | |
| 19:00 | 19:30 | Arrival and welcome reception | NCIA | MC |
| 19:30 | 19.40 | Official welcome and opening remarks | MC | |
| 19:40 | 22:00 | Keynote Address | MC | |
| 22:00 | 21.30 | Dinner Service | ||
| 21.30 | 22.00 | Entertainment | ||
| 22.00 | 23.00 | Networking and Dancing |
MAIN SPONSOR & HOST
CO-HOST
GOLD SPONSORS
BRONZE SPONSORS
LAW FIRMS LED EVENT
SUPPORTING ORGANIZATIONS
MEDIA PARTNERS
