ICSID annuls West African Aquaculture award against The Gambia

An ad hoc committee of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) has annulled a March 2024 award against the Republic of The Gambia in its entirety. The decision, issued on 17 July 2026, was based on a failure to provide sufficient reasoning regarding consent to ICSID jurisdiction.

The dispute originated from the 2015 nationalization of a shrimp-farming investment owned by West African Aquaculture Ltd. and two other claimants. Following the seizure of the farm by Gambian military forces, the claimants sought compensation, leading to arbitration. The committee's decision focused on Article 52(1)(e) of the ICSID Convention, which allows for annulment when an award fails to state the reasons on which it is based. The committee did not rule on the interpretation of Gambian legislation or allegations of excess of powers.