Legal experts and arbitration practitioners from across Africa and beyond have converged on Concorde International Hotel Yaoundé on Tuesday March 31, 2026, for the 4th edition of the African Arbitration and Mediation Day (JAAM). The Summit is organized by the Association for the Promotion of Arbitration in Africa (APAA) in partnership with the International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation Abuja (ICAMA), and in collaboration with Organization for the Harmonization of Business Law in Africa (OHADA). Held under the theme “The Mediation Agreement and the Arbitral Award,” the event brings together leading figures in international dispute resolution to strengthen knowledge and practice of mediation and arbitration across the continent. The opening ceremony featured remarks from prominent personalities, notably that of the Minister Delegate of Justice, MOMO Jean De Dieu, on behalf of Cameroon’s Minister of State, Minister of Justice, Keeper of Seals, Laurent ESSO, the patron of the event. Other speakers included the President of APAA and Cameroonian Legal Officer, Gaston KENFACK DOUAJNI (PhD), the Director of ICAMA and former Minister of Justice of Nigeria, OJO BAYO, and the President of the Cameroon Bar Association, MBAH Eric MBAH. Representing OHADA, the President of the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA) Jean Marie KAMBUMA NSULA highlighted the importance of harmonized legal frameworks in fostering investor confidence. A notable highlight was an online presentation by Anna Joubin-Bret, who shared global perspectives on mediation and arbitration, alongside an introductory report by the former President of CCJA Esther NGO MOUTNGUI. The event also marked the signing of strategic Memoranda of Understanding between the Russian Arbitration Association (represented by Roman Zikov) and both APAA and the African Arbitration Association, signalling growing international cooperation in dispute resolution. Across four technical sessions, participants examined key issues such as drafting and enforcing mediation agreements, challenges in implementation, and the recognition of arbitral awards within and beyond OHADA jurisdictions. By fostering dialogue between legal practitioners and the business community, the conference aims to enhance the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in Africa’s evolving legal and economic landscape. The over 100 participants in attendance include leaders and executives of African community organizations for economic and legal integration, executives, managers and senior staff in private organizations, Magistrates, solicitors, notaries and court officials, economic operators, corporate lawyers and managers and executives of arbitration and mediation institutions.