The coming into effect and promulgation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has ushered in a new and exciting era for the continent. AfCFTA aims to enhance intra-African trade by providing a complete and mutually beneficial trade agreement among Member States. It covers goods and services, investment, intellectual property rights and competition policy. On December 5, 2020, the African Union Assembly approved the start of trading under AfCFTA as of January 1, 2021.
Rodwyn Peterson has acted for individuals, corporates and financial institutions in various complex and high-value court, arbitration and employment proceedings. Rodwyn specializes in litigation, arbitration and dispute resolution, with particular experience in complex contractual disputes. Rodwyn also has experience in providing public law advice.
Experience has included advising:
- Part of the team in investment treaty arbitration proceedings before an ICSID tribunal
- Puma Energy in a domestic action concerning alleged environmental damage by Puma Energy
- In ad hoc arbitration under CIArb arbitration rules (Lusaka seat) for a Chinese Construction Company as Respondent in relation to a loss and delay claim
- Citibank Zambia in domestic proceedings in security enforcement actions, and in a civil action for recovery of losses as a result of fraud
- Minority shareholders of major telecommunications company in derivative action before the High Court for Zambia in a claim arising out of mismanagement of company assets by directors
- CAA Import and Export Limited as claimant in proceedings before the High Court for Zambia against Bidvest Group Limited
- In LCIA arbitration in Lusaka on behalf of a South African state subsidiary claiming US$ 2 million in respect of the licencing of water rights
- Zambian Heavy Earth Movement Services Company as respondent in an ICC arbitration
- A domestic litigation between shareholders concerning a joint venture dispute relating to the private education industry in Zambia
Professional Qualifications
- Advocate admitted to the Supreme Court of Zambia (2017)
- Advocate admitted to the High Court of Zambia (2014)
Education
- University of South Africa, LL.B. (2010)
- Zambia Institute of Advance Legal Education (ZIALE) (2014)
Memberships
- Law Association of Zambia
- Young ICSID
- Young African Leaders Initiative
- ICC Young Arbitrators Forum
The proliferation of mobile phone networks has transformed communications in sub-Saharan Africa and has allowed Africans to skip the landline stage of development and jump right to the digital age. Today, cellphones are as common in South Africa and Nigeria as they are in the US.1 African markets have clearly shown their willingness to adopt technology and adjust how it works to take advantage of the benefits it offers.
With AfCFTA aiming to boost intra-African trade by 52% by 2020, it could impact intra-African energy investments and projects, helping to curb power demand.
This article discusses how mobile money in Africa has opened access to the previously unbanked, and looks at the role regulators are playing to mitigate the money laundering risks associated with mobile money.