Course 2024-2025 a.y.

1. African Law(s): Features of the African legal landscape 

2. African economic integration and harmonization processes

3. Africanization of international business and commercial law: Legal transplants in Africa and the emergence of an African approach to law 

4. Protection of foreign investors in Africa: Dispute resolution, BITs and beyond

5. Current trends and key topics in African market

• Understand the main features of doing business in Africa and the role of legal counsels in complex economic operations 

• Understand the roles of the EU and Italy in the African market (as well as the role of China and other non-European countries in the Continent) 

• Have an introductory understanding of African legal landscape

• Understand the African economic integration and harmonization processes 

• Have an introductory understanding of the debate on Africanization of international business and commercial law

• Understand the key African-related topics in international investment Law

• Acquire a practical understanding of the main trends and issues in the African market through interaction with African and non-African experts from both the public and private sector (including policy makers, in-house counsels, law firms, NGOs) 

• Spot legal issues from facts

• Critically analyze challenges in the Western approach in Africa from a legal perspective

• Communicate legal concepts and ideas effectively, both orally and in writing, and present logical arguments to support legal positions 

• Identify key opportunities and challenges in African integration and harmonization processes 

• Synthesize the key topics in the debate regarding Africanization of international business and commercial law

• Develop a critical awareness of key legal challenges and trends in doing business in Africa 

• Assess strategies to support clients in internationalization their businesses in the African market

• Lectures
• Guest speaker's talks (in class or in distance)
• Practical Exercises
• Interaction/Gamification

In addition to face-to-face lectures, primarily held in the first part of the course, the learning experience includes interactive class activities designed to promote active participation in discussions, both in class and within designated groups. These activities aim to stimulate original contributions and ideas. Throughout the course, students are strongly encouraged to share their views, insights, and research on their preferred topics and trends, engaging in critical writings and presentations. 

The course also features guest speakers, including leading Italian, European, and African experts, who will share their experiences as scholars, attorneys (in law firms or as in-house counsel), advisors, businessmen, and policymakers. These talks will provide insights into the interaction between economic activities and law, as well as trends and the future of Western-African interactions. 

Additionally, the course includes visits to major law firms, companies and national and international institutions, offering opportunities to network with leading professionals in the African sector and explore career opportunities (list of guests’ talk, seminars and  and entities will be provided in due course).

Attending students can take an intermediate and an end-of-semester exam. 

As to the intermediate exam, there will be a forty-five-minute long written exam. No internet access is allowed, and students are not allowed to consult any books or notes. 

In terms of exam format: there will be five multiple-choice questions, each bearing 1 (one) point, and two open-ended questions, each bearing 5 (five) points. 

As to the end-of-semester exam, there will be an oral exam. The maximum score is 15 points. 

The programme of each partial exam for attending students will be communicated in class. 

The purpose of the written and oral exams is to examine students' ability to critically understand the notions discussed during the course, spot legal  and business issues from a set of facts and apply the law to factual scenarios. 

There will be up to five bonus points that students can earn throughout the course through interactive activities and attendance to guest lectures and seminars. 

Non-attending students must take a general exam. 

In terms of exam format: there will be an oral exam. 

The oral exam aims to examine students' ability to critically understand the data, statutory laws and notions discussed during the course, spot legal issues from a set of facts and apply the law to factual scenarios. 

The list of readings and multimedia materials (such as mind maps and PPT presentations) will be communicated during the course.