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Dispute Resolution Is Infrastructure – ICC Court President on Why African Entrepreneurs Must Care About Arbitration

(Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration)

In an exclusive with The 254 Report, Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, shared a powerful message: dispute resolution isn’t a luxury—it’s core infrastructure for business growth and investor trust.

Often seen as the domain of large corporations or obscure legal specialists, arbitration is gaining new attention across Africa’s entrepreneurial and investment circles. And Salomon—who made history as the first woman to lead the ICC Court—has made it her mission to demystify arbitration for SMEs, especially in high-growth economies like Kenya.

Nobody would think about building a factory without roads or electricity. Similarly, you shouldn’t enter a business deal without knowing how you will resolve a dispute. Dispute resolution is infrastructure.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration

ICC Arbitration: Accessible, Enforceable, and SME-Friendly

Salomon debunked the notion that international arbitration—particularly through ICC—is an elite service reserved for Fortune 500 corporations. In fact, the data tells a different story.

The majority of our cases are not between multinational companies. They involve SMEs, with disputes in the $1 to $10 million range.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration

To make arbitration more accessible, the ICC introduced Expedited Procedure Rules in 2017, designed to resolve smaller disputes quickly and affordably. According to Salomon, these have been particularly valuable in emerging markets, where court systems may be overburdened or unpredictable.

For disputes under $3 million, parties can benefit from reduced costs, faster decisions, and streamlined procedures. The ICC is focused on making this process work for smaller businesses.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration

Why African Entrepreneurs and Policymakers Should Care

For Salomon, legal design is as vital to investment as tax policy or infrastructure. She believes African governments and business associations have a role to play in embedding arbitration awareness into economic development strategies.

No investor is going to put money where they don’t know what happens when things go wrong. Arbitration provides predictability, neutrality, and enforceability.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration

She emphasized that ICC awards are enforceable in 172 countries through the New York Convention—making them far more practical than most domestic court judgments in cross-border disputes.

You might win a case locally, but can you enforce it abroad? With ICC arbitration, the answer is almost always yes.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration

Dispute Prevention is the First Line of Growth

While the ICC Court is known for resolving disputes, Salomon stressed that its true power lies in helping businesses structure contracts wisely from the outset—something African entrepreneurs should embrace.

Dispute resolution starts before the dispute. It starts with good contract drafting, fair clauses, and thinking about how the relationship will evolve. That’s where the ICC can add tremendous value.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration

She urged African governments, SEZ authorities, and business hubs to proactively include dispute resolution education in early-stage entrepreneurial training and investment programs.

Leading with Equity and Global Access

Claudia Salomon’s leadership has also brought a new lens to the world of arbitration: inclusion. She shared her efforts to ensure that arbitrators come from diverse regions, including greater representation from Africa.

It’s not just about fairness—it’s about legitimacy. Parties need to see themselves in the process. We have a responsibility to ensure our arbitrators represent the global business community we serve.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration

The ICC’s Vision: Local Growth, Global Trust

As Africa positions itself to lead in new industries—from green energy to agribusiness—Salomon sees legal certainty as a competitive edge.

We are here to support African businesses to scale with confidence. When you know your rights are protected and enforceable, you’re more likely to take smart risks—and that’s what drives growth.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration

Final Word: Arbitration is for You

In her final message, Salomon offered a simple but transformative insight:

If you’re building a business, you need power, internet, and roads. Add one more thing to that list: a way to resolve disputes. It’s invisible infrastructure—but it’s just as essential.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration

For Africa’s next generation of founders, investors, and industrial policymakers, that invisible infrastructure might be the most important of all.