Open International Lecture at the Research Centre for Infrastructure Law (Forschungsstelle Infrastrukturrecht | Prof. Dr. Markus Ludwigs) on Thursday, 25 June 2026 (18.00-20.00 CEST)

Open International Lecture at the Research Centre for Infrastructure Law (Forschungsstelle Infrastrukturrecht | Prof. Dr. Markus Ludwigs) at the University Würzburg

We, Prof. Dr. iur. Yves-Junior Manzanza Lumingu, D.E.S. (Kinshasa), LL.M. Eur. (Würzburg) and Dr. iur. Patrick Sikora, LL.M. (Kraków), invite all interested members of the academic community, the political and governmental sphere, the world of commerce and the civil society to our international lecture on

Energy Law and Critical Infrastructure Development in Sub-Saharan Africa

by Claire Wilby, FCIArb

on Thursday, 25 June 2026 (18.00-20.00 CEST)

in Hörsaal I of the Alte Universität, Domerschulstraße 16, 97070 Würzburg

as well as via Zoom – register here for online participation (privacy policy | Datenschutz).

Our Topic

The lecture will provide an insight into the practical implications of the laws around energy and infrastructure in the realisation of large-scale infrastructure projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (including examples of projects in Ghana, Guinea, the Cote d’Ivoire, among others). The critical nature of these projects originates from the lack of existing infrastructure, including the shortage of base load power, which will be a focus of the lecture.

The session will address the closely linked legal and commercial issues that need to be understood to deliver a successful project: risk allocation, back-to back and pass through concepts, government support mechanisms, warranty issues as well as dispute resolution and mitigation (from dispute adjudication boards to arbitration to court proceedings). Insight will also be given into the choice of law, current practices and trends on the African continent.

Our Expert

Claire Wilby, FCIArb is a qualified arbitrator and English law qualified solicitor with broad private practice and in-house experience across the energy and infrastructure sectors in multiple jurisdictions (Europe, Africa, MENA, Eurasia, China, North America). She studied law and languages at the Karl Ruprecht Universität in Heidelberg before going onto qualify as a solicitor in the UK. She is the joint editor of the International Energy Law Review.

As well as sitting as an arbitrator, Claire provides legal support and strategic advice to clients in the energy (renewables and conventional) and infrastructure sectors including all aspects of project financing, project development, construction related activities and emerging market financings.

Our Support

On the one hand, we thank the German-Congolese Lawyers Association (Deutsch-kongolesische Juristenvereinigung e. V. – DKoJV) represented by Dr. Karin Linhart, LL.M. (Duke) for creating the academic bond between us and sharing valuable advice based on the many years of international experience.

On the other hand, we thank our local Law Alumni Association – the Juristen Alumni Würzburg e. V. – represented by Prof. Dr. Dr. Eric Hilgendorf for supporting us with the financial means for the realisation of our international lecture.

Contact & Information

Dr. iur. Patrick Sikora, LL.M. (Kraków)

patrick.sikora@uni-wuerzburg.de | +49 931 31 83527

Lehrstuhl für Öffentliches Recht und Europarecht | Forschungsstelle Infrastrukturrecht (Prof. Dr. Markus Ludwigs)

Julius-Maxilians-Universität Würzburg | Juristische Fakultät