The University of Johannesburg (UJ) Faculty of Law welcomed leading legal scholars, judges, practitioners and international experts to the UNIDROIT Centenary Africa Regional Conference, held on 16 and 17 October 2026 at the Johannesburg Business School (JBS).

The conference formed part of the global centenary celebrations of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (UNIDROIT), established in Rome in 1926. Following regional celebrations in Europe, the Americas and Asia, the African conference provided an important platform to reflect on a century of international legal cooperation while examining Africa’s growing role in shaping the future of private and commercial law.

Organised through a collaboration between UNIDROIT and the Faculty’s Research Centre for Private International Law in Emerging Countries (RCPILEC), under the leadership of Professor Eesa Fredericks, the conference highlighted the importance of developing legal frameworks that respond to Africa’s economic, technological and developmental priorities.

In his welcoming address, Professor Charles Maimela, Executive Dean of the UJ Faculty of Law, reflected on the significance of hosting the African centenary celebration in Johannesburg. “As we celebrate 100 years of UNIDROIT, we must look beyond its achievements and consider Africa’s role in shaping the next century of international private law. African institutions, scholars and practitioners must not merely be recipients of international legal frameworks, but active contributors to their development,” he said.

Prof Maimela highlighted the longstanding relationship between UJ and UNIDROIT, including collaborative research, academic exchanges and contributions to international legal development. He also further emphasised the importance of ensuring that African perspectives are represented in international legal discussions, particularly as the continent advances regional economic integration and responds to technological transformation.

The conference also coincided with the 25th anniversary of RCPIL EC, marking another significant milestone in the Faculty’s contribution to scholarship and international engagement in private international law.

Delivering the opening keynote address, Prof Ignatius Tirado, Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, reflected on the organisation’s evolution over the past century and its contributions to the modernisation and harmonisation of private law.

His address, titled UNIDROIT One Hundred Years Later – Reflections with an African Perspective, explored the organisation’s expanding international reach, its development of legal instruments and the importance of greater African participation. Professor Tirado highlighted the role of legal harmonisation in facilitating cross-border transactions, improving access to finance and creating greater legal certainty for international commercial activities.

The conference also featured a keynote presentation by Professor Anna Veneziano, Deputy Secretary-General of UNIDROIT, focusing on the UNIDROIT Principles of International Commercial Contracts and their relevance to contemporary commercial law.

The opening proceedings included reflections from representatives of South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation and the Italian Embassy, reinforcing the importance of international partnerships in advancing legal cooperation.

Over two days, delegates engaged in discussions covering a range of developments in private and commercial law, including the Cape Town Convention and its protocols, the application of the UNIDROIT Principles in African legal systems, and the relationship between private international law and emerging technologies.

Particular attention was given to the Luxembourg Rail Protocol and Aircraft Protocol, examining their significance for financing, infrastructure development and cross-border commercial transactions.

The programme also explored artificial intelligence and digitalisation in UNIDROIT instruments, highlighting the need for legal frameworks to remain responsive to technological developments.

A session facilitated by Dr Maria Teresa Iaquinta, Director of UNIDROIT’s International Programme for Law and Development, considered the role of the programme’s alumni network in advancing the implementation and understanding of UNIDROIT instruments across Africa.

The conference brought together contributors from several African countries, including Algeria, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Malawi, South Africa and Tunisia, alongside international experts from the United Kingdom and the United States.

UJ academics Dr Sershiv Reddy, Mr Kyle Mouton and Mr Suhail Vawda also contributed to the programme as session chairpersons.

The Faculty’s commitment to advancing private international law scholarship continued on 19 October 2026 with the launch of Commercial Private International Law in Southern Africa: Comparative and International Perspectives – Essays in Honour of Professor Christopher F Forsyth KC.

Organised by UJPress and RCP ILEC, the launch celebrated the distinguished academic career and scholarly contributions of Professor Christopher F Forsyth KC, Emeritus Sir David Williams Professor of Public Law and Life Fellow of Robinson College at the University of Cambridge.

Edited by Professor Jan L Neels and Professor Eesa A Fredericks, with assistance from Dr Solomon Okorley, the publication brings together contributions from scholars across Africa and the international academic community.

The collection recognises Professor Forsyth’s influential contribution to the development of private international law in Southern Africa, particularly through his authoritative work, Private International Law: The Modern Roman-Dutch Law. The book explores commercial private international law from comparative and international perspectives, contributing to the continued development of legal scholarship in the Southern African region.

The launch featured addresses by UJ Vice-Chancellor and Principal Professor Letlhokwa George Mpedi, Executive Dean Professor Charles Maimela, the editors and assistant editor. Professor Forsyth delivered a response reflecting on the occasion.

Together, the UNIDROIT Centenary Africa Regional Conference and the book launch reaffirmed the UJ Faculty of Law’s commitment to advancing internationally relevant legal research, fostering scholarly collaboration and strengthening Africa’s contribution to the development of private international law.