Addis Ababa, February 8, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Ministry of Justice of Ethiopia has launched an initiative to transform Addis Ababa into a global arbitration hub, engaging in discussions with major international arbitration organizations to advance this goal.
Minister Hanna Arayaselassie briefed Parliament’s Legal and Justice Affairs Committee on the ongoing efforts while presenting a half-year performance report. She emphasized the government’s commitment to positioning Addis Ababa as a center for resolving contractual disputes at both national and international levels.
Henok Tesfaye, Director of Civil Justice Administration at the Ministry, confirmed that Ethiopia has reached out to key international arbitration institutions, inviting them to establish offices in the capital. These include:
- The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)
- The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
- The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Henok also noted Ethiopia’s ratification of the New York Convention and the Arbitration and Reconciliation Proclamation, which have created a more favorable legal framework for arbitration.
Furthermore, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) has expressed interest in signing a host country agreement with Ethiopia, a proposal currently under review by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Ministry has also initiated talks with the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), encouraging the establishment of a branch in Addis Ababa.
According to Henok, these efforts will not only enhance Ethiopia’s arbitration capabilities but also attract international dispute resolution cases, boosting the legal sector and generating economic benefits for the country.
