Bilateral Investment Treaties in Africa: Balancing rights and obligations between host countries and investors

Launch of publication on Investment Policies & Bilateral Investment Treaties in Africa

Background

In recent times, African countries have initiated bold reform agendas to improve the investment climate and attract foreign investment. They have signed a host of bilateral investment treaties (BITs) to attract foreign direct investment. However, in terms of benefits, the correlation between BITs and increased investment flows into these countries remains ambiguous. In terms of costs, a number of African countries have been subject to costly arbitration decisions.

ECA undertook a study Investment Policies & Bilateral Investment Treaties in Africa: Implications for Regional Integration; to cast light on the prevalence, scope, application and contribution to investment as well challenges arising from these agreements.

The publication seeks to contribute to the policy dialogue on the experience of BITs in Africa.  It offers informed lessons on how member States should approach and craft future BITs with provisions that seek to balance the rights and obligations of host countries and investors; minimise costly arbitration; and does not restrict countries’ policy space and legitimate public policy making to pursue their transformation objectives.

The event is open to all delegates. Time 9:00-10:30, 2^nd April 2016, Venue: Large Briefing Room (LBR)

For further information, contact

Daniel Tanoe
dtanoe@uneca.org
Tel.: +251-115443542   +251-115443542

Emmanuel Chinyama
echinyama@uneca.org
Tel.: +251-115443560   +251-115443560

Stefan Csordas
scsordas@uneca.org 
Tel.: +251-115445672   +251-115445672