Valentina Vadi is an Associate Professor of International Law at the School of Political Science, Law, and International Studies of the University of Padua, Italy. She formerly held positions at the University of Florence, Lancaster University, and Maastricht University. She is the author of Cultural Heritage in International Economic Law (2023). Prof. Saudin Mwakaje is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Dar es Salaam, specializing in Intellectual Property and Investment Law. A member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), has widely published in reputable journals, and has won the 2025 Best Patent Lawyer Award by Adams & Adams. Tarcisio Gazzini is Professor of International Law at the University of Padua. His research focuses on foreign investment law, international responsibility, law of treaties, international organizations, and the use of force. He is a founding editor of the book series International Investment Law and of Journal du droit transnational.

'This book provides highly valuable new perspectives on African contributions to international investment law and sustainable development and other social policy goals. These are critical issues for the continent. The editors have brought together a powerful group of senior and younger scholars to explore the challenges and potential for an African Renaissance in shaping the future of the continent and beyond in relation to investment law and institutions in these times.' Gregory Shaffer, Scott K. Ginsburg Professor of International Law, Georgetown University Law Center

• 1. The African renaissance and international investment law Valentina Vadi; 2. Can international investment agreements advance the UN's sustainable development goals? José Enrique Alvarez, Herbert and Rose Rubin; Part I. African Treaty and Arbitral Practice: Africanizing International Investment Law?: 3. Investor obligations in investment treaties: the new African practice and embedded liberalism Prabhash Ranjan; 4. Advancing a global south-oriented reform of the international investment regime Gideon Odionu; 5. The transformative potential of the protocol on investment in the African continental free trade area Francesco Seatzu and Paolo Vargiu; 6. Dealing in power: African arbitrators as gatekeepers of change? Sergio Puig and Valentina Vadi; 7. The principle of non-discrimination in international investment law: friend or foe for African states in the context of African renaissance? Michail Risvas; Part II. Permanent Sovereignty: Balancing Rights and Duties between Post-colonialism and Regionalism: 8. Permanent sovereignty, foreign direct investments, and the regulation of common concerns in Africa Dominic Npoanlari Dagbanja; 9. Putting permanent sovereignty over natural resources to the test of investment contracts: the quest for a balance between the protection of foreign direct investments and the emancipation of African peoples Sondra Faccio and Marco Pertile; 10. Africa's approaches to international trade and investment law and policy: reflections on key drivers and priorities Franziska Sucker; Part III. Attracting Foreign Investment in the Health Sector: 11. Sustainable foreign investment in the African health sector through international law after the COVID-19 pandemic Pia Acconci; 12. Examining the regulatory rights under African BITs in the context of the African renaissance: a call for reform Isaias Teklia Berhe; 13. Attracting investments in Africa's pharmaceutical market: challenges and opportunities Roberto Isibor, Caterina Coroneo and Angelo Forte; Part IV. Foreign Investments in Africa and Common Concerns: 14. The protection and status of investments in areas controlled by rebels and parallel governments in Africa Ahmed Abdel Akam; 15. Digitizing microfinance loans in Africa: investing in women transforming lives Phyllis Livaha; 16. The role of sovereign wealth funds in promoting Africa's (Sustainable) development Marco Argentini; 17. Legal protection and sustainability of Chinese investments in Africa Xiuli Han; 18. Protecting African cultural interests in international investment law: still a long way to go? Rimdolmsom Jonathan Kabré; 19. From protection to prosperity: advancing African intellectual property rights to attract investments under the AfCFTA Saudin Mwakaje; 20. The African renaissance from the standpoint of the legal protection of foreign investment: some conclusions Tarcisio Gazzini; Index.

Valentina Vadi is an Associate Professor of International Law at the School of Political Science, Law, and International Studies of the University of Padua, Italy. She formerly held positions at the University of Florence, Lancaster University, and Maastricht University. She is the author of Cultural Heritage in International Economic Law (2023). Prof. Saudin Mwakaje is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Dar es Salaam, specializing in Intellectual Property and Investment Law. A member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), has widely published in reputable journals, and has won the 2025 Best Patent Lawyer Award by Adams & Adams. Tarcisio Gazzini is Professor of International Law at the University of Padua. His research focuses on foreign investment law, international responsibility, law of treaties, international organizations, and the use of force. He is a founding editor of the book series International Investment Law and of Journal du droit transnational.

'This book provides highly valuable new perspectives on African contributions to international investment law and sustainable development and other social policy goals. These are critical issues for the continent. The editors have brought together a powerful group of senior and younger scholars to explore the challenges and potential for an African Renaissance in shaping the future of the continent and beyond in relation to investment law and institutions in these times.' Gregory Shaffer, Scott K. Ginsburg Professor of International Law, Georgetown University Law Center

• 1. The African renaissance and international investment law Valentina Vadi; 2. Can international investment agreements advance the UN's sustainable development goals? José Enrique Alvarez, Herbert and Rose Rubin; Part I. African Treaty and Arbitral Practice: Africanizing International Investment Law?: 3. Investor obligations in investment treaties: the new African practice and embedded liberalism Prabhash Ranjan; 4. Advancing a global south-oriented reform of the international investment regime Gideon Odionu; 5. The transformative potential of the protocol on investment in the African continental free trade area Francesco Seatzu and Paolo Vargiu; 6. Dealing in power: African arbitrators as gatekeepers of change? Sergio Puig and Valentina Vadi; 7. The principle of non-discrimination in international investment law: friend or foe for African states in the context of African renaissance? Michail Risvas; Part II. Permanent Sovereignty: Balancing Rights and Duties between Post-colonialism and Regionalism: 8. Permanent sovereignty, foreign direct investments, and the regulation of common concerns in Africa Dominic Npoanlari Dagbanja; 9. Putting permanent sovereignty over natural resources to the test of investment contracts: the quest for a balance between the protection of foreign direct investments and the emancipation of African peoples Sondra Faccio and Marco Pertile; 10. Africa's approaches to international trade and investment law and policy: reflections on key drivers and priorities Franziska Sucker; Part III. Attracting Foreign Investment in the Health Sector: 11. Sustainable foreign investment in the African health sector through international law after the COVID-19 pandemic Pia Acconci; 12. Examining the regulatory rights under African BITs in the context of the African renaissance: a call for reform Isaias Teklia Berhe; 13. Attracting investments in Africa's pharmaceutical market: challenges and opportunities Roberto Isibor, Caterina Coroneo and Angelo Forte; Part IV. Foreign Investments in Africa and Common Concerns: 14. The protection and status of investments in areas controlled by rebels and parallel governments in Africa Ahmed Abdel Akam; 15. Digitizing microfinance loans in Africa: investing in women transforming lives Phyllis Livaha; 16. The role of sovereign wealth funds in promoting Africa's (Sustainable) development Marco Argentini; 17. Legal protection and sustainability of Chinese investments in Africa Xiuli Han; 18. Protecting African cultural interests in international investment law: still a long way to go? Rimdolmsom Jonathan Kabré; 19. From protection to prosperity: advancing African intellectual property rights to attract investments under the AfCFTA Saudin Mwakaje; 20. The African renaissance from the standpoint of the legal protection of foreign investment: some conclusions Tarcisio Gazzini; Index.

Valentina Vadi is an Associate Professor of International Law at the School of Political Science, Law, and International Studies of the University of Padua, Italy. She formerly held positions at the University of Florence, Lancaster University, and Maastricht University. She is the author of Cultural Heritage in International Economic Law (2023). Prof. Saudin Mwakaje is an Associate Professor of Law at the University of Dar es Salaam, specializing in Intellectual Property and Investment Law. A member of the International Trademark Association (INTA), has widely published in reputable journals, and has won the 2025 Best Patent Lawyer Award by Adams & Adams. Tarcisio Gazzini is Professor of International Law at the University of Padua. His research focuses on foreign investment law, international responsibility, law of treaties, international organizations, and the use of force. He is a founding editor of the book series International Investment Law and of Journal du droit transnational.

'This book provides highly valuable new perspectives on African contributions to international investment law and sustainable development and other social policy goals. These are critical issues for the continent. The editors have brought together a powerful group of senior and younger scholars to explore the challenges and potential for an African Renaissance in shaping the future of the continent and beyond in relation to investment law and institutions in these times.' Gregory Shaffer, Scott K. Ginsburg Professor of International Law, Georgetown University Law Center

• 1. The African renaissance and international investment law Valentina Vadi; 2. Can international investment agreements advance the UN's sustainable development goals? José Enrique Alvarez, Herbert and Rose Rubin; Part I. African Treaty and Arbitral Practice: Africanizing International Investment Law?: 3. Investor obligations in investment treaties: the new African practice and embedded liberalism Prabhash Ranjan; 4. Advancing a global south-oriented reform of the international investment regime Gideon Odionu; 5. The transformative potential of the protocol on investment in the African continental free trade area Francesco Seatzu and Paolo Vargiu; 6. Dealing in power: African arbitrators as gatekeepers of change? Sergio Puig and Valentina Vadi; 7. The principle of non-discrimination in international investment law: friend or foe for African states in the context of African renaissance? Michail Risvas; Part II. Permanent Sovereignty: Balancing Rights and Duties between Post-colonialism and Regionalism: 8. Permanent sovereignty, foreign direct investments, and the regulation of common concerns in Africa Dominic Npoanlari Dagbanja; 9. Putting permanent sovereignty over natural resources to the test of investment contracts: the quest for a balance between the protection of foreign direct investments and the emancipation of African peoples Sondra Faccio and Marco Pertile; 10. Africa's approaches to international trade and investment law and policy: reflections on key drivers and priorities Franziska Sucker; Part III. Attracting Foreign Investment in the Health Sector: 11. Sustainable foreign investment in the African health sector through international law after the COVID-19 pandemic Pia Acconci; 12. Examining the regulatory rights under African BITs in the context of the African renaissance: a call for reform Isaias Teklia Berhe; 13. Attracting investments in Africa's pharmaceutical market: challenges and opportunities Roberto Isibor, Caterina Coroneo and Angelo Forte; Part IV. Foreign Investments in Africa and Common Concerns: 14. The protection and status of investments in areas controlled by rebels and parallel governments in Africa Ahmed Abdel Akam; 15. Digitizing microfinance loans in Africa: investing in women transforming lives Phyllis Livaha; 16. The role of sovereign wealth funds in promoting Africa's (Sustainable) development Marco Argentini; 17. Legal protection and sustainability of Chinese investments in Africa Xiuli Han; 18. Protecting African cultural interests in international investment law: still a long way to go? Rimdolmsom Jonathan Kabré; 19. From protection to prosperity: advancing African intellectual property rights to attract investments under the AfCFTA Saudin Mwakaje; 20. The African renaissance from the standpoint of the legal protection of foreign investment: some conclusions Tarcisio Gazzini; Index.