Industry Fora
Building the institutional and human infrastructure for a world-class African retail sector
Where Africa's Retail Decision-Makers Meet
Retail leaders today operate in an environment characterised by changing consumer behaviour, rising operating costs, fragmented supply chains, rapid technological change, increasing competition, and growing investor expectations. Success requires more than industry knowledge; it requires access to practical insights, peer learning, market intelligence, and a network of decision-makers facing similar realities.
Each forum convenes carefully selected senior executives, founders, policymakers, academics, investors, technology providers, and ecosystem enablers to engage in focused discussions around specific industry priorities.
Africa Retail Academy
Tested tools and approaches that directly inform decision-making.
Lessons drawn from businesses operating within and beyond Africa.
Market intelligence and research findings ahead of the curve.
Candid exchange with decision-makers facing similar realities.
E-Commerce and Payments Forum
Driving the Future of Digital Commerce in Africa
The E-Commerce and Payments Forum brings together leaders from retail, fintech, banking, payments, logistics, technology, telecommunications, and regulatory institutions to address the opportunities and constraints shaping digital commerce across Africa.
As consumer adoption of digital channels accelerates, organisations face increasing pressure to create seamless customer experiences, optimise payment systems, improve fulfilment capabilities, strengthen cybersecurity, and identify profitable growth opportunities across markets, while navigating regulatory complexity, evolving customer expectations, payment fragmentation, and rising operational costs.
Who Should Attend
- Chief Executive Officers
- Chief Operating Officers
- Chief Financial Officers
- Heads of E-Commerce
- Heads of Digital Transformation
- Heads of Payments
- Fintech Executives
- Retail Leaders
- Technology Executives
- Financial Services Professionals
- Logistics & Supply Chain Executives
E-Commerce & Payments
Conveners
Franchise and Outlet Management Forum
Building Scalable, Consistent, and Profitable Growth Models
This forum is focused on helping organisations build, expand, and manage high-performing franchise and multi-location retail networks.
For many retail organisations, growth is no longer limited by demand but by the ability to maintain operational consistency, customer experience standards, governance structures, and profitability across multiple locations. The Forum addresses these challenges through practical discussions, case studies, and lessons from successful franchise systems operating within and outside Africa. It serves franchisors, franchisees, business owners, and executives responsible for growth, operations, and business performance.
Franchise & Outlet Management
Who Should Attend
- Chief Executive Officers
- Chief Operating Officers
- Franchise Directors
- Franchise Development Managers
- Operations Managers
- Business Development Managers
- Master Franchisees
- State & Regional Managers
- Multi-Outlet Retail Operators
- Business Owners
Convener
Retail CEO Roundtable
Strategic Conversations for Retail Leaders
The Retail CEO Roundtable is an exclusive, closed-door gathering of chief executives and senior retail leaders responsible for defining the future direction of their organisations.
Retail leaders today face difficult decisions around expansion, profitability, capital allocation, technology investments, talent development, and organisational transformation. The Roundtable provides a confidential environment where executives can engage in candid discussions with peers, challenge assumptions, exchange experiences, and explore practical approaches to business growth.
Who Should Attend
- Chief Executive Officers
- Managing Directors
- Executive Directors
- Group Managing Directors
- Business Owners
- Board Chairpersons
- Senior Retail Executives
Retail CEO Roundtable
Africa Retail Congress
Africa's Premier Gathering of Retail Leaders
The Africa Retail Congress is the flagship event of the Africa Retail Academy and one of the continent's most important platforms for advancing retail growth, innovation, collaboration, and leadership.
The Congress convenes retail executives, manufacturers, distributors, financial institutions, technology providers, investors, policymakers, regulators, academics, and development organisations to examine the forces shaping the future of retail in Africa, combining keynote presentations, executive panel discussions, industry reports, research findings, case studies, and networking engagements into a comprehensive learning and engagement experience.
Who Should Attend
- Retail CEOs & Business Owners
- Senior Retail Executives
- Manufacturers & Brand Leaders
- Financial Services Executives
- Technology Providers
- Investors & Private Equity Firms
- Policymakers & Regulators
- Academics & Researchers
- Industry Associations
- Development Organisations
Outcomes for Participants
Join Africa's Most Influential Retail Conversations
Whether you are driving digital transformation, scaling a franchise network, expanding into new markets, improving operational performance, or shaping the future of retail, the Africa Retail Academy Industry Fora provide access to the people, insights, and conversations that matter.
Apply to Attend
Join a carefully curated network of retail leaders, industry experts, policymakers, and decision-makers committed to advancing retail excellence across Africa.
Apply to AttendBecome a Partner
Position your organisation at the centre of Africa's most important retail conversations while engaging directly with senior industry leaders.
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