PSF and Judiciary Push for Mediation to Resolve Business and Labor Disputes

Kigali, April 15, 2025 - In a concerted effort to foster a stable and business-friendly environment, the Private Sector Federation (PSF), in partnership with Rwanda’s Judiciary, hosted a high-level engagement meeting at the Kigali Convention Center (KCC). The platform was designed to help employers understand, embrace, and utilize mediation as a fast and efficient tool for resolving commercial and labor disputes.

Justice Sector data highlights a growing reliance on formal courts, showing that total court cases—including business lawsuits—jumped from 237 in 2017 to 2,445 by 2024, with another 1,271 cases recorded in just the first five months of 2025.

Addressing the gathering, PSF Chairperson Jeanne Françoise Mubiligi emphasized that the initiative is meant to optimize corporate operations nationwide and align with modern commercial conflict resolution practices.

"Instead of losing corporate relationships because of disputes, mediation is a better way to seek justice and improve them," Mubiligi noted. "We are prepared to collaborate with courts, particularly the judiciary, to advance this idea and practices. We need lasting peace and justice in order to have a lasting business community."

The Chief Justice and President of the Supreme Court, Domitilla Mukantaganzwa, officially opened the one-day forum. She underscored the value of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) as the most effective route to clearing court backlogs, while assuring the private sector of the judiciary’s full support.

"Mediation offers a high degree of assurance when it comes to settling conflicts," Chief Justice Mukantaganzwa stated. "The legal system is prepared to assist the private sector, and we urge the business community to look to alternative conflict resolution as a means of attracting investment and creating a peaceful, harmonious economy."

High Court Judge and Judicial Spokesperson Harrison Mutabazi pointed out that mediation currently accounts for only 10% of commercial court cases. He stressed that aggressive awareness-raising campaigns are vital to increase the uptake of alternative procedures and significantly lower unresolved litigation.

Drawing from Rwanda's deep-rooted heritage, former Supreme Court President Prof. Sam Rugege reminded business leaders of the cultural roots of mediation, tracing it back to pre-colonial practices, the Gacaca systems, and the Abunzi model, which historically sustained peace and social harmony.

"In contrast to courts where anything can be used against you and business information is made public, you can create your own solutions, express your views, and do it privately behind closed doors," Prof. Rugege explained.

He cautioned entrepreneurs against lengthy court battles, describing them as time-consuming, stressful, and draining. "With mediation, you stay in control and choose the outcome, whereas in court, the judge holds the ultimate influence over the decision," he added.