Introduction

International investment agreements have played a key role in Africa's development. African States are party to numerous bilateral and multilateral investment treaties which have traditionally offered protection to foreign investors and which have permitted recourse to arbitration to settle investment disputes, under the auspices of the ICSID, or similar fora. African States increasingly participate in investment arbitration with foreign investors challenging the legality of regulatory measures in various areas. The Special issue sheds light on the protection of foreign investors in the African extractive sector and on the protection of numerous 'public interests' at stake in this sector. Thereby it seeks to contribute to a better understanding of the challenges raised by FDI operations in the African extractive sector and of their contribution to Africa's development and growth.

The papers in this Special Issue are based on presentations given at the conference held on 14 December 2017 in the Dubai International Arbitration Centre.

Lead editors of this Special Issue: Dr. Ana Gerdau de Borja Mercereau (Derains & Gharavi) and Prof. Dr. Yannick Radi (University of Louvain).

Conveners of the conference: Dr. Jean-Baptiste Harelimana (African Academy of International Law practice); Prof. Dr. Yannick Radi; and Dr. Ana Gerdau de Borja Mercereau.