Chinese firms eye faster case rulings in Nairobi

The Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration (NCIA) has partnered with China to establish a joint arbitration centre to hasten dispute settlements for Chinese firms operating in Kenya.

The China Africa Joint Arbitration Centre, the second of its kind in Africa, is designed to offer dispute resolution involving Chinese firms and companies from other countries that happen in East and Central Africa.

The NCIA says the partnership aims at making Kenya a favourable destination for investors by providing an alternative form of dispute resolution.

“We held our first conference (the China Africa Joint Arbitration Centre) in November and we are in the process of harmonising all our rules,” said NCIA chief executive Lawrence Ngugi told the Business Daily in an interview.

READ: Why East Africa is among the best in global arbitration

He said China has a robust arbitration system due to its preference for out-of-court settlement of disputes.

Last Tuesday, the NCIA signed an agreement with Kenya Chinese Chamber of Commerce, signifying its continued strategy to attract Chinese clients.