The 20th AELEX Annual Lecture will take place on November 4, 2026, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, Nigeria. The event, themed "Global shocks, local impact: Battle for survival or opportunities to leapfrog, and for growth," aims to examine the impact of global economic disruptions on African economies. Experts will discuss whether these disruptions pose a threat or present an opportunity for rapid development. The lecture series is part of AELEX's corporate social responsibility initiatives.
The lecture will be led by Prof. Benedict Oramah, immediate past President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank). Prof. Oramah is a development finance expert who has led Afreximbank's support for major trade and economic integration initiatives, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS). He will be joined by Mrs. Bola Adesola, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ecobank.
The event will address how rapidly external disruptions, such as conflicts, trade policy shifts, and supply chain breakdowns, reach African markets. The discourse aims to evaluate whether African nations must remain in a perpetual battle for survival during international crises or if these disruptions can be transformed into opportunities for growth, continental integration, and economic leapfrogging. The audience dialogue will be led by Mr. Femi Ojumu, an international lawyer and Associate Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs.
The AELEX Annual Lecture series was first held in 2005 to mark the law firm's founding in 2004. Over the past 20 years, it has served as a multidisciplinary platform for legal, business, and policy discourse. The event brings together business leaders, policymakers, policy advocates, innovators, entrepreneurs, and C-suite executives. Past speakers have included notable figures such as Prof. Don Wallace and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
AELEX is a commercial law firm headquartered in Lagos, with offices in Abuja, Port Harcourt, and Accra, Ghana. The firm has advised on several major transactions, including the historic $1.5 billion Dangote Refinery IPO. According to Prof. Fubara Anga, Senior Partner at AELEX, the lecture series is part of the firm's contribution to conversations that shape the continent.
The event is expected to attract a diverse audience of stakeholders, including business leaders and policymakers. The discussion will focus on Africa's response to global economic disruptions and the opportunities for growth and development. The lecture series has established itself as a leading platform for discourse on key issues affecting the continent.
The 20th AELEX Annual Lecture will provide a platform for experts to share their insights and perspectives on Africa's survival and growth within global shocks. The event will also provide an opportunity for networking and collaboration among stakeholders. Key points to be discussed include the impact of global economic disruptions on African economies and the opportunities for growth and development.
Key points
- The 20th AELEX Annual Lecture will examine the impact of global economic disruptions on African economies.
- The event will discuss whether disruptions pose a threat or present an opportunity for rapid development.
- The lecture series has established itself as a leading platform for discourse on key issues affecting the continent.
