International Commercial Law Emerging in Africa

This article provides an overview of the history international commercial law in Africa with reference to instruments three sister organisations private (in a wide sense): UNCITRAL (the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law), UNIDROIT Institute for Unification Private Law) and HCCH Hague Conference Law). The adoption UNIDROIT's Cape Town Convention Interests Mobile Equipment 2001 is identified as possible watershed moment respect future development Africa. Following creation African Continental Free Area by member countries Union, it suggested that participating states reconsider joining Sale Goods (1980) (CISG) incorporating Model Law Commercial Arbitration (1985/2006), which are certain sense two founding documents modern lex mercatoria. Another priority, author suggests, needs supporting instrument contract. first draft Principles Applicable Contracts then discussed emphasis role substantive instruments, particular CISG