Comparative Business Law in Africa
If you're interested in developing a full understanding of comparative business and legal frameworks in Africa, this is the Master's for you.
A comparative business law approach to unlocking African prosperity
The Centre for Comparative Law in Africa provides the academic home for the Master’s programme in Comparative Business Law in Africa. The Centre promotes the study of comparative law and draws on the strengths of comparative methodology to build knowledge of and insights into the multifaceted field of law and the business context in Africa.
This programme, convened by Centre for Comparative Law in Africa Director Professor Ada Ordor, is aimed at those law professionals seeking to develop their knowledge and skills about different legal and business frameworks across the African continent.
In a globalising world, characterised by a variety of integration processes and regional blocs, knowledge of the law across national borders and trade barriers is imperative for lawyers operating in a continental and international context. This Master’s qualification provides insights into contract negotiation, arbitration and other commercial transactions in the multiple legal environments on the continent; and ensures a thorough understanding of the relationship between domestic law and the range of regional legal instruments and policies. While focused on the core topics of comparative business law in the African context, students have the flexibility to choose electives and structure their programme in a way that speaks directly to their specific interests.
Programme structure
The programme is structured as a coursework & dissertation Master’s. The curriculum comprises two compulsory courses, two elective courses and a compulsory minor dissertation of not more than 25 000 words on a related topic approved by the programme convener.
The two compulsory courses are:
- Comparative Law and Business in Africa
- Law, Regional Integration and Development in Africa
Elective options include any courses offered by the Department of Commercial Law (check the Law Faculty Handbook here for details) – although we particularly recommend both Chinese Law and Investments in Africa, and Resource Revenue Law as course combinations that work well with the two core courses to provide a comprehensive overview of the key issues in business law across the continent.
Type of degree options
LLM and MPhil
Number of credits
240 credits, comprising 4 courses @ 30 credits per course, and a dissertation @ 120 credits
Programme code
LM003CML15/ LM002CML15