2026 CPR Institute's Africa Arbitration Day – New York (AAD-NY) 

The purpose of the AAD-NY Conference is to: (i) highlight important issues in international arbitration pertinent to the Africa region (ii) foster greater community among international arbitration practitioners in North America and Africa; and (iii) help develop the next generation of Africa-related arbitration practitioners.

CPR held the inaugural AAD-NY on December 8, 2023 at the New York City Bar Association, followed by annual editions thereafter hosted by leading law firm members of CPR, such as White & Case LLP (2024), DLA Piper LLP (2025), and now Debevoise & Plimpton LLP (2026).  

Speakers this year will include:

• Professor Makane Moïse Mbengue
• Mark W. Friedman, Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton 
• Marco de Sousa, Partner at HSF Kramer (South Africa)
• Zawadi Lemayian, Partner at Econic Partners 
• Jacqueline (Jackie) Oyuyo Githinji, Managing Partner at Umsizi LLP (Kenya)

Interested students (JD or LLM only), please review the details at the bottom of this page, including the Call for Applications and Instructions carefully before applying:

2026 AAD-NY Moot Call for Applications and Instructions

then

Submit Your Application for the 2026 CPR AAD-NY Moot

Reserve your space at the 2026 AAD-NY Conference! 

See program details and registration information below then use the "Register Now" button above to secure your seat!

2026 CPR AAD-NY Conference

Date: Thursday, November 19, 2026, 1:15 PM - 6:00 PM ET

Venue: Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, 66 Hudson Blvd E, New York, NY 10001 

Format: AAD-NY will primarily be in-person, streamed live, and posted on the CPR Institute's website after the event.

Program: AAD-NY will include an arbitration moot for students, two substantive panels (CLE pending), a coffee break, and a cocktail reception with hors d'oeuvres.

CLE: CLE credits for the two panels are pending accreditation. More details will be announced soon.

Registration: Registration is required and is open to the public. Please use the "Register Now" button above. 

Thanks to our sponsors of this event, CPR is pleased to offer this comprehensive conference with two substantive panels, a coffee break, networking opportunities, and a cocktail reception for the reduced registration rates of:

• $40 (non-members)
• $20 (CPR members receive a 50% discount!)

CPR Financial Aid Policy: CPR is a non-profit organization.  Under financial hardship guidelines, at its discretion, CPR may waive the fee for attorneys who demonstrate that they are not currently employed (not retirees). CPR may also provide a special discounted price to attorneys, full time judges and administrative law judges practicing in the nonprofit and public sectors full time. Please contact Knar Nahikian at knahikian@cpradr.org to request financial assistance with this program.

*Students and Professors may also receive discounted registration for this program and are instructed to contact Knar Nahikian at knahikian@cpradr.org.

Organized by the 2026 AAD-NY Steering Committee.*

CPR Institute and the AAD-NY Steering Committee present the
AAD-NY Award for Excellence in African Arbitration to an individual, institution, or initiative that have made a significant and lasting impact on the development and promotion of arbitration across Africa.  

We are proud to announce the recipient of the 2026 CPR AAD-NY Award for Excellence in African Arbitration will be presented to: 

Professor Makane Moïse Mbengue

Schedule (times are subject to change)

Panel 1: Arbitrating Energy Disputes in Africa 

Disputes are inevitable as Africa’s energy sector continues to attract investment and undergo rapid transformation. Arbitration is expected to play a vital role in resolving disputes across the energy value chain, from oil and gas, LNG, and refining to power generation, transmission, renewables, and energy-transition infrastructure. This panel will explore recent trends in African energy arbitration and the impact that evolving regulatory frameworks, state reforms, energy-security priorities, and the transition agenda may have on future investment and dispute resolution across the continent.

Panel 2: Does Africa Need a Regional Investment Court?

As Africa develops a more integrated investment framework under the AfCFTA, an important institutional question remains unresolved: should investor-state disputes continue to be resolved principally through arbitration, or is the time right for a continent-wide adjudicatory body with jurisdiction over investor–State disputes? This session will explore recent developments in African investment law and policy, competing visions for the future of investor-state dispute settlement, and the implications for consistency, legitimacy, enforceability, and investment promotion. Through a structured debate followed by panel discussion, the session will examine whether Africa should build a new institution—or continue refining the arbitral system that has long underpinned cross-border investment on the continent.

2026 CPR AAD-NY Moot Competition

Applications are due by Friday, September 18, 2026!

CPR's Africa Arbitration Day – New York Steering Committee invites law students to participate in an international commercial arbitration moot as part of our 4th annual Africa Arbitration Day – New York conference (AAD-NY), which will be held on November 19, 2026, at Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, 66 Hudson Blvd E, New York, NY 10001.

The schedule for the AAD-NY Moot will be as follows:

10:00-10:30 am
Registration for Arbitration Moot Participants

10:30am – 1:00pm
Arbitration Moot for Students 

1:00pm  –1:30pm
Luncheon for Moot Participants

1:30pm - 6:00pm
AAD-NY Conference and Cocktail Reception

Participation is open to currently enrolled law students (pursuing JD, LLM, LL.B. or a comparable law degree) with an interest in Africa-related arbitration.

There is no fee to apply and there is a limited scholarship fund available by application to reimburse travel expenses.

The AAD-NY Moot has been approved to utilize the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (“Vis Moot”) problem. This is an excellent opportunity for students preparing for the annual Vis Moot competition in Vienna in Spring 2027.

Students selected for the AAD-NY Arbitration Moot will participate in the following ways:

• Written argument. Selected students and alternates will be assigned an issue presented by the Vis Moot problem and will individually submit a written argument in advance of the Moot. 
• Oral argument. Selected students will be assigned a moot coach to help prepare for oral arguments and will deliver oral arguments on November 19, 2026.
• Complimentary AAD-NY Moot Luncheon. Lunch will be served exclusively for moot participants, including selected students, coaches, and the tribunal.
• Complimentary registration for the AAD-NY conference.  Selected students will attend the AAD-NY conference taking place on November 19, 2026, immediately after the moot luncheon. 
• Certificates will be presented for Best Oralist and Best Written Submission. 

We look forward to another great year at the AAD-NY Moot!

Applications for the 2026 CPR AAD-NY Moot are due by Friday, September 18, 2026

Interested students (JD or LLM only), please review the Call for Applications and Instructions carefully before applying:

2026 AAD-NY Moot Call for Applications and Instructions

then

Submit Your Application for the 2026 CPR AAD-NY Moot