Bibliographie sélective OHADA

Le retard dans l’exécution du contrat recouvre les situations dans lesquelles le débiteur d’une obligation n’y satisfait pas dans le délai qui lui est imparti. Cet incident est de nature à remettre en cause le temps contractuel. Davantage, le retard bouleverse l’économie du contrat, étant donné que celui qui s’exécute en retard s’acquitte en deçà de son dû. Néanmoins, il émerge une sorte de tolérance envers le retard, en articulation avec la survie du contrat. La question se pose, après, de savoir si le redéploiement du retard dans l’exécution du contrat ne tend pas à le différencier des autres formes d’inexécution, alors même qu’il reste encadré par le droit commun de l’inexécution. Pour le moins, le retard dans l’exécution se voit actualisé dans ses tenants et aboutissants. Bien plus, l’approche renouvelée se tourne vers le dépassement d’une difficulté, par hypothèse remédiable, et semble poser les bases d’un régime dérogatoire.

Le principe en DIP selon lequel les contrats sont soumis à la loi choisie par les parties, dite loi d’autonomie, est largement remis en cause. La théorie objective conteste les fondements de la thèse subjective et les conséquences de son application. Il est admis partout que la volonté n’est qu’un indice de localisation du contrat et que cette volonté ne peut s’émanciper ni errer à la recherche d’un pays avantageux sans lien objectif avec le contrat. Mais la thèse du rattachement fonctionnel qui consiste à lier le contrat à l'ordre juridique dans lequel il déploie sa fonction économique ou sociale en identifiant cet ordre au lieu où le débiteur de la prestation caractéristique à sa résidence est discutable à nos yeux. Dans les États d’Afrique, il est nécessaire d’accorder une place beaucoup plus importante à la prestation caractéristique comme facteur de rattachement, mais ceci, par le biais de son lieu d’exécution. Cette démarche de surclassement de la prestation caractéristique dans la détermination de la loi applicable se justifie par l’essence même du contrat qui est d’être exécuté, et par la nécessité de préservation des intérêts du DIP qui dans le droit constitue la science de la tolérance et de l’acceptation des peuples dans leur diversité.

L’adhésion du Cameroun à la Convention de Vienne sur le contrat de vente internationale des marchandises n’est pas un simple effet de mode, elle recèle d’importants enjeux. Sous l’angle des méthodes du droit international privé, cette adhésion suggère la substitution d’un droit matériel contenu dans la Convention, à la méthode conflictuelle traditionnelle jugée complexe et empreinte d’incertitudes. L’ambition est alors d’offrir aux opérateurs un corps de règles claires et précises, conférant la sécurité juridique indispensable à l’essor du commerce international. Mais ces bonnes intentions législatives ne suffisent pas à elles seules pour garantir l’objectif visé. Les réalités de l’ordre juridique international caractérisé par la diversité et la complexité constituent encore de réels obstacles sur la voie du législateur. En attendant, l’efficacité du droit matériel proposé sera largement tributaire de l’attitude des parties et surtout du juge qui doivent maintenant jouer leur partition.

Le mariage est une institution fondamentale dans de nombreuses sociétés africaines, et le droit OHADA (Organisation pour l’Harmonisation en Afrique du Droit des Affaires) joue un rôle clé dans la régulation des relations entre époux. Depuis son adoption en 1993, le droit OHADA a visé à harmoniser les législations nationales en matière de droit des affaires et de la famille, le législateur s’est également intéressé aux époux. Dans ce contexte il est essentiel de comprendre la place des époux en droit OHADA, notamment en ce qui concerne les droits et devoirs des époux, la gestion des biens communs et personnels dans leurs activités économiques en mettant en lumière les principaux aspects de ce sujet fascinant. Mariage is a fondamental institution in many African societies,and OHADA law plays a key role in regulating relations between spouses.Since its Adoption in 1993.The aim of ohada law has been to harmonise national legislation on business and family law,and the legislator has also taken an interest in spouses .In this context,it is essential to understang the place of spouses in OHADA law particulary as regards the rights and duties of joint and personal property in their economic activities,by higblighting the main aspects of the subject.

Les contrats de transaction des moyens de paiement dématérialisés se caractérisent par une certaine spécificité. Spécificité empreinte d’imprévisibilité juridique. Cette spécificité se voit liée à l’objet du contrat qu’est « la transaction des moyens de paiement dématérialisés ». En effet, il est avéré que les moyens de paiement dématérialisés recèlent une grande complexité, une grande ambigüité qui rend difficile la compréhension et le mécanisme de son fonctionnement. Cette spécificité ambigüité contenue dans les moyens de paiement dématérialisés, est ancrée dans les relations contractuelles relatives à la transaction des moyens de paiement dématérialisés par le fait de la complexité liée à la formation du contrat et par le fait de l’entremêlement des responsabilités des deux parties au contrat. Transaction contracts for dematerialized means of payment are characterized by a certain specificity. Specificity marked by legal unpredictability. This specificity is linked to the purpose of the contract which is “the transaction of dematerialized means of payment”. Indeed, it is proven that dematerialized means of payment contain great complexity, great ambiguity which makes it difficult to understand and the mechanism of its operation. This specific ambiguity contained in dematerialized means of payment is anchored in the contractual relationships relating to the transaction of dematerialized means of payment due to the complexity linked to the formation of the contract and due to the intermingling of the responsibilities of the two parties to the contract.

The implementation of New Public Management (NPM) reforms, particularly privatization, has been a significant strategy adopted by governments worldwide to enhance the performance of public enterprises. This article focuses on the telecommunications sector in Nigeria, where privatization was introduced as part of broader economic reforms in the early 2000s. The objective is to assess the influence of privatization on the performance of public enterprises within this sector. The article is anchored on public choice theory. It is qualitative in nature, relying on secondary sources of data, such as, journals, textbooks, official publications and internet materials. It observes that privatization of public enterprises in the telecommunication sector in Nigeria has led to improvements in operational efficiency, increased investment inflows, and expanded service coverage. However, challenges such as regulatory effectiveness, equity in service provision, and the socio-economic impact on marginalized populations remain significant concerns. It contributes to the broader discourse on NPM reforms by providing empirical insights into the complexities and outcomes of privatization within Nigeria's telecommunications sector. It concludes with policy recommendations aimed at optimizing the benefits of privatization while addressing its associated challenges to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth in the sector.

The construction industry in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa plays a crucial role in the region’s economy, yet small and medium enterprise (SME) construction companies face significant challenges in achieving long-term business sustainability. This article aims to provide practical guidelines for SMEs, by investigating the most critical construction management practices adopted by SME contractors. Utilising a quantitative approach, data were collected from 59 purposefully selected participants, including directors, construction managers, quantity surveyors, site agents, and technicians, all registered under the Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) Grades 1-4 in General Building (GB). The management practices of SME contractors were analysed using the relative importance index (RII) and factor analysis to rank these practices according to their significance. Findings indicate that SME contractors prioritise health and safety strategies, effective resource utilisation, integrated project management systems, competent recruitment, strong leadership skills, and robust health and safety management as essential practices. The principal component analysis identified six key management factors to enhance competitiveness while contributing to the region’s sustainable development goals. These factors include shared knowledge among management, effective project scope planning, comprehensive health and safety management, ownership of construction business knowledge, scope control on projects, and clearly defined goals for management teams. This study is original in its focus on the specific management practices that can strengthen the sustainability of SME contractors within a developing region, providing a valuable framework for enhancing their operational effectiveness.

When an agency relationship is created, it confers on the parties obligations which must be fulfilled by the parties. These obligations do not remain forever as they can come to an end. This can be done under normal circumstances by the act of the parties or by operation of the law and when the conduct of the agent is in contradiction to the mandate agreement as may be the case if the agent is liable for serious misconduct as provided by the OHADA Uniform Act on General Commercial Law. The provisions of the act regarding termination on grounds of serious misconduct is worrisome, as the act talks about termination in such manner only for commercial agents and is silent about the other two types of agents: the broker and the commission agent. The act also, does not tell us what this serious misconduct it mentions by the commercial agent is, nor gives us insights on what constitutes such conduct to warrant termination of the mandate of the agent by the principal. When termination of the agency is done under conditions as such, it has grave consequences on the agent who might not be entitled to certain benefits associated with termination of the contract such as loss of the right to compensatory allowance or indemnity and more importantly may give room to arbitrary or wrongful termination of the mandate of the agent. Through analytical and comparative studies, this paper focuses on termination of the mandate of an agent under the OHADA Uniform Act on General Commercial Law, wherein, the different modes of termination of the mandate of an agent have been discussed, and more specifically makes an attempt in looking at what serious misconduct is and what could amount to such conduct so as to avoid arbitrary or wrongful termination. It is therefore suggested that, statutory guidelines found in other statutes in relation to the subject matter can serve as a lamp light in our context.

This editorial delves into the evolving context of doing business in Africa, tracing its journey from being dubbed the “hopeless continent” to becoming a beacon of hope and opportunity. Drawing on a wealth of scholarly research, it highlights Africa's increasing attractiveness for global investments, underscored by rising FDI inflows and the emergence of a vibrant middle class. Despite these promising trends, the editorial also sheds light on the persistent challenges, including institutional fragility and political instability, coupled with limited representation in the existing international business discourse. We advance a more nuanced understanding of Africa's business environment, emphasizing the need for responsible growth, improved governance, and sustainable development. Thus, the Special Issue offers insights into the complexities and challenges of doing business in Africa, as well as the paradoxes and potential for fostering competitiveness and inclusive growth on the global stage.

The international terms of the 2017 FIDIC Red Book (reprinted and amended in 2022) state that, when the contractor is a joint venture (JV), all members are jointly and severally liable to the employer. These terms also establish certain procedural rules—the most important ones being the submission to the employer of the JV undertaking and the appointment of a leader. However, these international terms do not provide for substantive rules pertaining to the plurality of the JV members. These require reference to the applicable law that governs the construction contract. The applicable law can be domestic law, such as Qatari law, or an international soft law, such as the Unidroit Principles. Comparing these two possibly applicable laws, it becomes evident that there are no significant differences between the two regarding the substantive rules concerning a plurality of obligors. Furthermore, it is argued that the majority of these substantive legal rules, whether national or international, are inoperative in a construction contract incorporating the international terms of the FIDIC Red Book.

The revised uniform act governing the rights of commercial companies and economic interest groups did not create extra-statutory conventions. These existed well before its adoption. The OHADA legislator, wanting to prioritize the security of conventional relationships and the promotion of investments on African territory, proceeded to modify its uniform act of 1997 by adopting extra-statutory conventions. However, faced with the thorny question of the necessary respect for the principle of contractual freedom and the articulation between extra-statutory agreements, the provisions of the uniform act and the statutes, he finally ducked. Thus, he attempted to subtly embrace extra-statutory conventions through article 2-1 of his revised uniform act on commercial companies which came into force on January 30, 2014. Through his approach, he seems to want in an uncertain manner rectify an initial error or at least fill a legal void present in its old uniform act. It now establishes the supremacy of the legal provisions of the uniform act and the statutes over extra-statutory agreements and sets the legal requirements imposed on shareholders for the validity of their agreements. The review of  theoretical and empirical literature made to article 2 of the uniform act on commercial companies, the OHADA legislator has not succeeded in removing the doubt on the determination of the law applicable to extra-statutory agreements, these still remain gorverned, to a large extent, by provisions relating to contract law. However, the reform is not without interest in the Senegalese business environment, it strengthens the already existing system for securing business and promoting investments. L’acte uniforme révisé portant droit des sociétés commerciales et du groupement d’intérêt économique n’a pas créé les conventions extra-statutaires. Celles-ci existent bien avant son adoption. Le législateur OHADA, en voulant privilégier la sécurité des rapports conventionnels et la promotion des investissements sur le territoire africain, a procédé à la modification de son acte uniforme de 1997 en adoptant les conventions extra-statutaires. Toutefois, devant l’épineuse question du nécessaire respect du principe de la liberté contractuelle et de l’articulation entre les accords extra-statutaires, les dispositions de l’acte uniforme et les statuts, il s’est finalement esquivé. Ainsi, il a tenté d’épouser subtilement les conventions extra-statutaires à travers l’article 2-1 de son acte uniforme révisé sur les sociétés commerciales entré en vigueur le 30 janvier 2014. À travers sa démarche, il semble vouloir de façon incertaine rectifier une erreur de départ ou du moins combler un vide juridique présent dans son acte uniforme ancien. Il consacre désormais la suprématie des dispositions légales de l’acte uniforme et des statuts sur les accords extra-statutaires et fixe les exigences légales qui s’imposent aux actionnaires pour la validité de leurs conventions. La revue de littérature théorique et empirique a permis de constater que malgré les modifications apportées à l’article 2 de l’acte uniforme sur les sociétés commerciales, le législateur OHADA n’a pas réussi à lever le doute sur la détermination du droit applicable aux conventions extra-statutaires, celles-ci restent encore régies, dans une large mesure, par des dispositions relevant du droit des contrats. Néanmoins, la réforme n’est pas sans intérêt dans l’environnement sénégalais des affaires, elle vient renforcer le dispositif déjà présent de sécurisation des affaires et de promotion des investissements.

The Uniform Act relating to General Commercial Law of the Organisation for Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (hereinafter referred to as the OHADA Uniform Act) establishes a commercial sale regime applicable to any trader (natural or legal person), including any commercial companies whose place of business or registered office is located in the territory of a party to the Treaty on the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa. In this study we propose to analyse the non-performance of commercial sale agreements, focused on its termination regime, by reflecting on the right of termination, the termination by judicial means, its grounds, exemption from liability and the effects of termination. The economic and legal relevance of the commercial sale contract justifies the opportunity to reflect on how legal standardisation process has been achieved overall, particularly with regard to termination regimes. Both OHADA Uniform Act and the Vienna Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods of 1980 (CISG) were conceived as unification mechanisms to circumvent the constraints and legal uncertainty associated with cross-border trade. Therefore, this analysis aims to assess how OHADA rules embody the long process of evolution in French law, as well as the influence of the CISG.

Most transactions that leave an imprint on the environment and communities are organized by commercial contracts. However, little is known about the way in which parties reflect sustainable development in contractual clauses. How can parties to international contracts commit to respect sustainable development goals? What are the possible degrees of commitment? Which contractual mechanisms can apply to the monitoring of compliance? How does one establish a link between the failure to meet sustainable development goals and the contractual liability or termination of contract? This article identifies contractual clauses relating to sustainable development and analyses these clauses through the lens of the 2016 International Institute for the Unification of Private Law (Unidroit) Principles of International Commercial Contracts (PICC). Drawing inspiration from open access contracts, the analysis will demonstrate that Article 1.8 of the PICC, precluding inconsistent behaviour, and Articles 5.1.4 and 5.1.5, on the duty of best efforts and the obligation to achieve a specific result, as well as the provisions on liability, can assist contract drafters, judges, and arbitrators in drafting and interpreting such clauses.

Mobile money is purported to promote financial inclusion. The growing number of studies have largely focused on transactions and related benefits with limited attention to emerging challenges, policies and initiatives that address the relative needs of different stakeholders. Consequently, little has been done to probe the ‘bottom-of-the-pyramid’ paradigm that underpins these assumptions. There has been inadequate endeavour to examine ways that empirical research could shed more light on these challenges and how to overcome them. To address these gaps, this study reviews the emerging literature on mobile money that explores both benefits and challenges. From our study three main themes emerge that suggest areas where challenges to the efficacy of the mobile money-financial inclusion link still appears not to have been adequately addressed by policymakers: ensuring integrity, privacy and security; addressing resource and infrastructure constraints; and integrating stakeholder benefits. Yet we suggest merely addressing these challenges does not go far enough in safeguarding the needs of local communities, as major stakeholders. Evidence from our study suggests little direct benefit to the poorer sections of local communities, only to the strata above and to elites and external stakeholders. This has implications for development and social change through technology adoption.

Technology-based transactions are inseparable from the routine exchange of data. These exchanges may not pose privacy problems until the movement takes extra-territorial turns thereby facing multiple levels of cross-border regulations. In the 80 s, the frequency of transfer of personal data beyond geographical boundaries in Europe precipitated the regulation of transborder data flows (TDF) beginning with the enactment of the Organization for OECD Guidelines. In Africa, the concept of TDF is more complex than usually viewed by the stakeholders and this is partly because neither the African Union nor other regional bodies have introduced legislation on TDF. Like many concepts in data protection, TDF is bereft of a generally accepted meaning. Regardless of the uncertainty, this paper approaches TDF as the transmission of personal data from one country to another country or international entity for the purpose of processing. The paper discusses some definitions of TDF as understood under African regional and national data protection legislation. In a comparative and normative approach, the paper analyses the barriers to TDF in Africa vis a vis the European experience and then concludes with recommendations for workable TDF within and outside the continent from an African perspective beginning with the harmonization of existing regional framework.

This study investigates the influence of remuneration on organizational performance in cooperative banks in Kiambu County, Kenya. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the research explores how compensation packages, salary reviews, and employee recognition impact performance. The study utilizes a descriptive research design with structured questionnaires to gather data from 94 participants. Findings indicate a significant correlation between competitive remuneration and enhanced organizational performance. The majority ofemployees are satisfied with salary increments and recognize the positive effects of frequent salary reviews on their motivation and job satisfaction. The study also highlights the importance of recognition and praise in boosting employee morale and engagement, contributing to overall organizational success. This research is grounded in Equity Theory, which posits that fair treatment in compensation leads to higher motivation and productivity. The conclusions drawn suggest that cooperative banks should implement equitable and competitive remuneration strategies, along with regular salary reviews and robust recognition programs, to enhance performance. The study provides valuable insights for policymakers andbank managers aiming to improve organizational effectiveness through strategic human resource practices.

La stabilité des relations d’affaires ne peut se concevoir sans un contrat de bail durable. Fort de ce constat, il est indispensable d’examiner l’importance de l’autonomie du contrat de bail renouvelé. A ce propos, le contrat mérite une protection contre les abus du bailleur. L’analyse du bail renouvelé met en orbite la question de la poursuite des relations contractuelles à l’expiration de la durée prévue par les parties, ce renouvellement engendre-t-il une simple prorogation du bail originaire ou donne-t-il naissance à un nouveau bail ? Il s’agit de répondre à la question de l’autonomie du bail renouvelé qui se présente d’abord comme une réalité eu égard à ses caractères et à l’étendue limitée des garanties données par le locataire. Mais à l’observation, cette autonomie n’est qu’apparente en ce que le bail renouvelé maintient dans son exécution les clauses du bail initial et prévoit des changements qui sont des concessions édictées par l’économie contractuelle. Business relations stability it’s impossible without a lasting lease contract. In this regard, it is essential to examine the importance of the autonomy of the renewed lease contract. About it, the contract deserves protection against abuse by the lessor. The analysis of the renewed lease puts into orbit the question of the continuation of contractual relations at the duration planned by the parties, does this renewal result in a simple extension of the original lease or does it give rise to a new lease? This involves examining of the autonomy of the renewed lease which first presents itself as a reality given its characteristics and the limited extent of the guarantees given by the tenant. Indeed, this autonomy is only apparent in that the renewed lease maintains in its execution the clauses of the initial lease and provides for changes which are concessions decreed by the contractual economy.

The awarding of public-private partnership (PPP) contracts through unsolicited bids is characterized by flexible domestic law, with the involvement of public and private players aiming to achieve the general interest objective of public infrastructure development and, by extension, national development. These players are helping to build the normative framework for PPP project activities by spontaneous offer, given their increasingly widespread use on the bangs of positive law, while their standards are classically deprived of the binding force attached to hard law. Marked by its normative guarantee, the flexible law of unsolicited bids is situated at the threshold of the mandatory, and is essential to PPP law. It produces legal effects by linking up with the hard law of PPP contracts, which is the law of the parties. This link between soft law and hard law has a major legal impact on the transformation of the law and legal certainty, for the benefit of investment confidence, especially international investment confidence. Faced with the limitations of positive law on the award of PPP contracts in unsolicited bids, and the difficulties of interpreting soft law and hard law standards, there is a need for harmonization with international practice. To this end, the instruments of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) on PPPs are being used to link up with Burundian hard law through a transposition mechanism. It is therefore possible that our positive approach to PPP contracting could be improved, highlighting the principle of competition and the exception of non-competition, while taking into account the win-win principle, risk sharing and performance. Finally, the article considers the adjustments to the hard law that would be necessary if Burundi were to decide to revisit the legal framework to make it more attractive to investment, and thus ensure the completion and financing of PPP contracts by spontaneous bidding.

Les ressources naturelles occupent une place prépondérante dans le commerce international. L’Afrique en est riche. Par contre, le problème de leur gestion se fait sentir sur le continent au point que des chercheurs ont évoqué la « malédiction des ressources naturelles ». Le droit de l’OHADA ne les a pris en compte que timidement. Cette insuffisance de règlementation dans le droit communautaire a des incidences tant sur le commerce de ces produits dans l’espace OHADA que sur la jouissance de certains droits humains. Les tentatives de règlementation de certains aspects de ce secteur d’activité de la part d’autres organisations internationales et de certains États montrent la nécessité de les intégrer correctement dans le corpus juridique de l’OHADA. Un Acte Uniforme serait susceptible d’atténuer, au sein des États parties, la « malédiction des ressources naturelles » aussi bien que les atteintes aux droits de la personne résultant de leur exploitation comme le droit à un environnement sain et les droits économiques et sociaux.