About Africa Retail Academy
Building the institutional and human infrastructure for a world-class African retail sector
Who we are
Africa Retail Academy is dedicated to building a strong community of retail professionals across Africa, delivering education, research, and policy engagement that directly strengthens the continent's retail ecosystem.
Backed by world-class faculty and industry leaders, the academy equips professionals with the skills, insights, and networks required to drive growth and transformation in retail.
Through a combination of online and in-person programmes, executive education, conferences, and industry roundtables, the academy addresses the real challenges facing African retail, from fragmented distribution systems to regulatory complexity and emerging technology shifts.
With a strong emphasis on practical application, participants gain not just knowledge, but the capability to improve operations, scale businesses, and drive innovation within their organisations.
Our Impact
We occupy a unique position at the intersection of academic excellence and industry practice. Our faculty bring global intellectual depth. Our industry partners bring operational credibility.
Together, we deliver education, research, and advisory services that produce measurable outcomes for individuals and organisations operating in Africa's complex and high-potential retail markets.
Purpose &
Ambition
Our Mission
To advance retail leadership through world-class education, groundbreaking research, and collaborative engagement that redefines the industry.
Our Vision
A dynamic, inclusive, and innovative African retail ecosystem powered by world-class talent and visionary leadership.
Tailored Excellence for the Retail Value Chain
Our programmes and services are designed for professionals and organisations at every level of Africa's retail value chain, providing the specific tools needed for each stage of growth.
Retail Professionals
Store managers, sales leads, supply chain analysts, and operational staff seeking to build foundational and intermediate expertise in retail management.
Senior Executives
CEOs, directors, and policymakers who require advanced frameworks for navigating competitive, technological, and regulatory complexity.
Entrepreneurs & Founders
Owners in e-commerce, fashion, food services, and FMCG looking to professionalise, scale, or diversify their operations.
Corporations & Institutions
Companies and government bodies requiring customised education, strategic advisory, or research partnerships.
Focus Areas
Capacity Development
We design and deliver rigorous, Africa-relevant programmes—from certificates to executive forums—that build genuine capability at every career level.
Research
Producing original insights into Africa's retail dynamics, including consumer behaviour, digital commerce, and the economics of informal markets.
Policy Advocacy
Engaging policymakers and regulators to shape enabling environments that support retail growth and formalisation across the continent.
Advisory
Providing structured services to retail businesses, helping translate complex strategy into operational reality with clarity and confidence.
Industry Engagement
Creating spaces where Africa's retail community convenes through forums, congresses, and executive dialogues to learn and act.
Lagos Business School
Africa Retail Academy is an initiative of Lagos Business School (LBS), Pan-Atlantic University—Africa's foremost institution for executive education.
For over three decades, LBS has shaped management practice across the continent through programmes grounded in academic rigour, ethical leadership, and real-world application.
Learn More About Lagos Business School →"LBS is consistently ranked among Africa's top business schools and holds internationally recognised accreditations that affirm its commitment to quality."
Academy participants draw on the full depth of LBS's faculty expertise, research infrastructure, and global academic partnerships.
