softPawa Limited, a member of the pawaTech Group, has secured a landmark enforcement of an international arbitral award before the High Court of the United Republic of Tanzania (Commercial Division), bringing to a close a four-year pursuit of TZS 7.53 billion (approximately US$ 3 million) in unpaid service fees, plus interest and costs.

A matter of principle

In 2021, softPawa entered into a Software Licence and Technical Services Agreement with the Respondents: Nanovas Tanzania Limited, Aleka Holdings Limited and Mr. Alfred Christopher Msemo, to provide technical and operational support in the gaming industry. The services were delivered. The fees were not paid.

When negotiation failed, softPawa escalated the matter to arbitration under the rules of the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). On 14 June 2024, sole arbitrator Ms. Sophie Lamb KC issued a Final Award in softPawa's favour. The Respondents ignored it.

The Tanzanian courts uphold the award

softPawa applied to the Tanzanian courts to have the award recognised and enforced against the Respondents' assets in Tanzania. On 25 July 2025, the High Court ruled in softPawa's favour, dismissing the Respondents' objections in their entirety. Arguments ranging from technical challenges to document certification to claims of contractual invalidity were each examined and rejected. The Court affirmed:

• The validity of the arbitration agreement under English law

• The jurisdiction of the arbitral tribunal and

• The compliance of the award with Tanzanian public policy.

A clerical error in the original enforcement order required rectification, which was granted in March 2026. The award is now fully recognised and enforceable in Tanzania as a judgment of the Tanzanian High Court, carrying the full weight of domestic law behind it.

What the enforcement order provides

• Payment of TZS 7.53 billion in respect of unpaid invoices for services rendered.

• Compound interest at 15.73% from invoice due dates.

• Reimbursement of legal and arbitration costs.

• An injunction preventing the Respondents from using the betPawa trade name.

• Ongoing interest at 7% per annum on the total judgment debt until payment is received in full.

Enforcement continues

The judgment debt remains outstanding. softPawa is actively pursuing all available enforcement mechanisms and will continue to do so for as long as necessary.

Commitment to accountability

“It may have taken four years, but justice prevailed. We are encouraged to see Tanzania standing firm on the rule of law, the principles of the New York Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards and the importance of holding domestic parties to their contractually agreed obligations.”

— Kresten Buch, Executive Chairman, pawaTech Group

Upholding fairness in business

The pawaTech Group remains committed to partnerships built on trust and transparency. Where contractual obligations are not fulfilled, we will always use the mechanisms available to enforce them. This ruling reinforces our belief that doing business fairly also means ensuring accountability when it matters most.