Chapter 9 - Contracts Governed by International Conventions or Treaties

Abstract

Countries in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) are party to several international commercial treaties and conventions. Membership in these international institutions reduces the cost of doing business in the global market system. The United Nations Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG) is one of the most significant international commercial treaties. As in the case of the United States that has adopted a Uniform Commercial Code to govern sales transactions between parties within the federal system, the CISG has developed uniform international sales rules for countries around the world. The application of the CISG to countries in SSA is quite limited. Even more significant is the unavailability of any cases on inter-regional trade between SSA countries. The few cases that have been resolved under CISG rules involve issues related to nonconforming goods. These cases suggest the need for more effective preshipment inspection systems.