WADR had an exciting presence at Lusaka Arbitration Week on Thursday, 26 February 2026,
starting the day with a networking breakfast before hosting a lively Oxford-style debate.
The breakfast was held under the theme “Connected. Capable. Continental: Strengthening Africa’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Ecosystem.” The panelists included the WADR chairperson, Eunice Lumallas, Nakasamba Banda-Chanda, Chairperson, CIArb, Zambia Branch and Luchinde Tembi Chiinda, Vice Chairperson of Women in ADR, CIArb Zambia. Sylvia Kasanga moderated the panel discussions. The breakfast provided a space for candid conversations for female ADR practitioners about their journeys, challenges and discussions on how to surmount some of the challenges faced in the ADR space.
The Oxford-Style debate held in the evening brought together four speakers who tackled a timely and important question: Should natural resource disputes involving African states be seated in African arbitral institutions? What followed was a spirited exchange of ideas, with strong arguments on both sides and plenty for the audience to reflect on. Ngosa Simachela and Sylvia Kasaga argued for the motion while Eunice Lumallas and Vivien Zimba argued against the motion. Florence Shako moderated the debate panel.
Held under the broader theme, “From Exploration to Execution: ADR as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development,” the session underscored the growing importance of alternative dispute resolution in shaping solutions that are not only practical, but also locally grounded and sustainable across the continent.
