I said ‘Look, I know this is a crazy idea, but do you think it is doable?’ And they replied on the spot: ‘Absolutely, this is what we do at Africa in the Moot.’ - Dr. Cesar Pereira C.Arb FCIArb
At its core, Africa in the Moot is driven by a simple but powerful mission to empower the next generation of African lawyers, build capacity in African and international arbitration, and promote diversity and inclusive representation in a space where Africa has historically been underrepresented. What began as a regional initiative has steadily grown into a global community, built on collaboration, shared purpose, and the belief that talent should never be limited by geography or circumstance.
In March 2026, that mission was tested in a way no one had anticipated.
Across the world, out of the more than 500 teams preparing for the prestigious Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot (Vis Moot) in Vienna and the Willem C. Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Hong Kong (Vis East), approximately 30 teams found themselves unable to travel. Abrupt and continuing changes to global circumstances disrupted months of preparation and threatened to exclude talented, hopeful students from one of the most significant experiences of their legal education. For many, it felt like the end of the journey, and in many respects it was.
In arbitration however, deadlock often invites innovation, as does the spirit of the Vis Moot and the spirit which drives Africa in the Moot’s mission.
The idea that would allow these students an opportunity to showcase their talents on the global stage was conceived by the Honourable Barry Leon FCIArb, who recognised that exclusion under such circumstances was not merely unfortunate but unacceptable. He shared this vision with Dr. Cesar Pereira C.Arb FCIArb, whose enthusiasm and ingenuity carried the idea from an initial email to Erin Cronjé and Pavan Swamy, Directors of Africa in the Moot, to its further development during an early morning breakfast meeting at Café Landtmann in Vienna. It was fitting that such a conversation took place at this storied venue where many great thought-leaders have once gathered, and in the heart of Vis Moot territory in Vienna. What began as a proposal quickly transformed into a charge to create an inclusive platform where no team would be left behind.
For Africa in the Moot, the decision was immediate. It was a natural extension of everything Africa in the Moot stood for, and within just six days after this initial meeting, the Special Willem C. Vis Virtual Post-Moot (Post-Moot) was announced by Prof. Dr. Stefan Kröll at the Closing Ceremony of the 33rd Vis Moot.
Organised in response to urgent need, the initiative brought together a coalition of institutions committed to the same ideal of inclusion. Support came from organisations such as the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb), ArbitralWomen, Women In ADR, the The IDRC International Dispute Resolution Centre London, the OGEL Energy Law / Transnational Dispute Management (TDM), the Moot Alumni Association, and Africa in the Moot itself. What emerged was not merely a substitute for the Vienna experience, but a demonstration of what the global arbitration community can achieve when united by purpose.
On 11 and 12 April 2026, the virtual hearings unfolded across continents and time zones, with a global community convening from their living rooms, offices and other conferences to spend their weekend on Zoom. Sixteen competing teams, alongside seven substitute teams – six actual teams and one hybrid team with an oralist from South Africa and one from Australia – participated in a competition that mirrored the intensity and rigour of the in-person Vis Moot. The scale of participation was remarkable, with 204 volunteer arbitrators and 13 volunteer administrators from across the globe dedicating their time and expertise to ensure the success and support of the event.
The diversity of participants told its own story. With representation from 61 countries spanning Africa, Asia, the America, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania, the Post-Moot became a truly global forum. It was no longer defined by physical location, but by a shared commitment to inclusion, education and excellence.
The competition itself was fiercely contested. After three general rounds on the first day, the field narrowed through elimination rounds on the second day. The Quarterfinals featured teams from Dubai, Ghana, India, Iraq, Iran, and Russia, reflecting both regional strength and global competitiveness. The Final Four featured teams from Ghana, India, and Dubai. In the end, the Final was contested between Middlesex University Dubai and the University of Ghana, a fitting conclusion to a moot that had, from the outset, sought to bridge continents and remove barriers.
Presiding over the final round were Ms. Louise Barrington (Vis East Founder and Director), Prof. em. Dr. Dr.h.c. Ingeborg Schwenzer (Professor emirata, University of Basel), and Prof. Dr. Stefan Kröll (Vis Director), whose presence underscored the legitimacy and prestige of the initiative.
"This was more than an event, it was a lost opportunity restored, a platform created, and an experience I will always and forever value”
What made the Post-Moot truly remarkable was not only the competition, but the resilience behind it. Operating entirely online, the event inevitably encountered some technical challenges, including internet instability and connectivity disruptions in certain jurisdictions. However, these challenges did not hinder proceedings. Instead, they were met with adaptability and understanding. Practical solutions, such as temporarily switching off cameras to conserve bandwidth, ensured that every team could complete their pleadings. In addition, the Post-Moot team introduced a Tribunal Secretary model whereby selected arbitrators supported tribunals in an auxiliary capacity, assisting with timekeeping, liaising with the teams and admin as needed, and often observing more senior colleagues in the Tribunal role. Where necessary, they also stepped in as emergency arbitrators in situations where it became apparent that a sitting arbitrator was delayed or unable to attend. As a result, no teams experienced a truncated Tribunal, and thus enjoyed the benefit of comprehensive feedback. Alongside this, volunteer administrators worked enthusiastically behind the scenes, providing support and ensuring that the competition ran smoothly from beginning to end. This enthusiasm extended beyond the admin team to the registered arbitrators, many of who opted to observe other rounds out of interest, despite having already completed their assignments or not being allocated to rounds at all.
What could have been a compromised experience became, for many, an unforgettable one.
“the sense of community committed to making the world better for everyone and the opportunity to serve something bigger than myself.”
Participants, Coaches, and Arbitrators noted a number of reflections on the weekend’s event, highlighting both its impact and its sense of purpose. For some, the experience replicated what had initially seemed lost. Mohammad Hossein Soleimani Pak (Coach, Institute of Energy Law Studies, University of Tehran) observed, “As a stand-alone coach who faced uncountable challenges preparing an Iranian team, I was even more devastated than the team itself when I saw their efforts almost unseen. But the team rejoined for the last time. Blood ran again in the veins, the bundle opened up again after almost 40 days, and a chance showed up to be taken. The team took it up just right and, despite countless internet cut-offs during their pleadings, they showed worthy enough to be the most proud of! I am so happy to see them having this chance and to fight for the last time; thanks to the organisers of this special Post-Moot.”
For many, the Post-Moot carried a deep, personal significance. Reflecting on her team’s journey, Ivy Amoako (Mootie, University of Ghana) recalled that when they realised they could not travel to Vienna, “it honestly felt like the end of the journey…a deeply disappointing moment.” Yet, as she explained, the initiative transformed that experience: “What could have been the end of our moot journey was transformed into an opportunity to still stand before a tribunal, to be heard, and to prove ourselves. That, to me, is incredibly powerful. The quality of the arbitrators was also exceptional. Their feedback was thoughtful, insightful, and deeply enriching. It made the experience not only competitive but genuinely educational [...] This was more than an event, it was a lost opportunity restored, a platform created, and an experience I will always and forever value!”
Fortunate Kirabo (Post-Moot Arbitrator) described being reminded of “the sense of community committed to making the world better for everyone and the opportunity to serve something bigger than myself.”
Even where challenges arose, participants emphasised the value of inclusion. Zahra Maleki (Coach, Kharazmi University) noted, “Despite the challenges and costs of securing a stable internet connection, it was absolutely worth it. We really appreciated the opportunity to stay involved in the Moot and to maintain our participation.”
As stated by Dr Pereira: “It's incredible that we see this much vitality, this much dynamism in our community. It's very gratifying to see how with solidarity, with courage, with creativity, with leadership, with a lot of dedication, we can overcome even these very serious hurdles. Even though these are very difficult times, I think we can together celebrate the fact that we are all able to be here, to share this experience with the teams that could not come to Vienna or Hong Kong this year.”
Across all reflections, one theme remained constant, gratitude for the opportunity to participate and for the principle it represented. As expressed by Ehsan Hosseinzadeh (Coach, University of Tehran, Institute of Public Law) to the organisers: “I can honestly say that you provided everything we needed to take part in this competition, and you never made me or my team feel left behind. Your kindness will always remain in our hearts. I believe that the world needs more people like you. As Sauron said in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power: "When the darkness falls, there are always some who rise forth and shine."”
The Special Willem C. Vis Virtual Post-Moot was more than a logistical success. It was a statement. It demonstrated that international arbitration, at its best, is not confined by borders, privilege, or circumstance. It is a field capable of adapting, responding, and most importantly, including.
In bringing together hundreds of participants from across the world, Africa in the Moot did more than just host a competition. In this Post-Moot that became a movement, it reaffirmed its mission and demonstrated that inclusion is not an abstract ideal, but a shared responsibility that requires urgency, action, and commitment.
In doing so, it demonstrated that even in the face of global disruption, no voice need remain unheard, and no team need be left behind.
“For Africa in the Moot and all of those who represent it, it is truly a privilege and it's part of our purpose to be here and to be involved in initiatives like this” said Ms. Cronjé. “It's about inclusion, and inclusion and equality of not only Africans, but all students and lawyers around the world. Inclusion and equality can only truly be achieved if they are realised globally. It is part of our philosophy and our mission that no team should be left behind and no team should be overlooked. So for us, this is a no-brainer that we are all here today, regardless of where we come from. We are honoured to have been involved in something that drops borders and barriers in a significant way, and that has brought a global village together.”
** Authored by Nelago Johannes & Velma Otchwemah, edited by Erin Cronjé and Pavan Swamy.
