Until recently, alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, whether mediation or arbitration, were largely conducted informally in Cameroon. This was due in part to the tradition of settling disputes amicably by village/community leaders outside of court. With the recent introduction of new legal systems, the traditional dispute settlement method gradually gave way to litigation.

Given that litigation is generally prohibitively expensive, with often lengthy and convoluted processes, there is renewed interest in arbitration and mediation. A number of African countries, including Cameroon, have harmonized their business laws and created rules for arbitration in the Central African sub-region.