2023/11/11 by Abdisa Beriso Dekebo
Business, Management and Accounting · Social Sciences · #International Arbitration and Investment Law #Dispute Resolution and Class Actions #Conflict of Laws and Jurisdiction
paper · doi:10.20372/aahffp64
Abstract Arbitration has gained prominence as a preferred forum for commercial dispute resolution, prompting nation states to compete for the coveted title of an arbitrationfriendly seat. Ensuring the right legal environment is a necessary, though not sufficient, condition in this journey. Unfortunately, Ethiopia has left behind in promoting arbitration, despite the advent of long-lasting arbitration laws. Legal and institutional pitfalls were among the factors frequently signposted as a reason for the underdeveloped arbitral tradition. In a bid to catch up, Ethiopia recently overhauled its hitherto existing arbitration laws with the ordinance of Arbitration and Conciliation Working Procedure Proclamation No. 1237/2021. This paper aims to assess the role of Ethiopia’s new law in making the country an arbitration-friendly seat through qualitatively examining its progressions and retrogressions in light of both fundamental and contemporary notions of arbitration. The paper finds that Ethiopia has taken a step towards arbitration friendliness with the new ordinance, but there remain pressing concerns yet to be advanced.