African entrepreneurs, business leaders, creatives, investors and innovators gathered in Lagos on November 5, 2026, for the 2026 African Entrepreneurship and Business Summit (AEBS), a platform dedicated to advancing conversations on entrepreneurship, innovation, strategic communication and the global competitiveness of African businesses.
Held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, the summit was powered by TTYBrand Africa under the theme “Made in Africa. Built for the World.”
The gathering brought together industry voices and business professionals to examine the opportunities, challenges and strategies shaping Africa’s entrepreneurial landscape, with a strong focus on building sustainable enterprises, strengthening brand positioning and preparing African businesses for international markets.
Through practical masterclasses, panel discussions and interactive sessions, AEBS 2026 created an environment for knowledge exchange, business conversations and meaningful connections among participants.
Strategic Communication: Turning Brand Stories into Global Influence
One of the key learning sessions was a masterclass led by Lucy Balimba, titled “From Perception to Power: The Role of Strategic Communication in Building Global African Brands.”
The session explored how intentional communication and strategic storytelling can influence public perception, strengthen credibility and position African brands for global recognition.
The masterclass highlighted strategic communication as an important business asset, particularly for African enterprises seeking to build trust, establish market relevance and connect with audiences beyond their immediate environments.
The summit also featured a powerful panel conversation titled “Beyond Talent: Building Global Businesses from African Creativity,” featuring Sola Oyebade and Khadijat El-Alawa.
The discussion examined how Africa’s creative potential can be transformed into sustainable, commercially viable and globally competitive businesses.
The speakers explored the importance of business models, innovation, creativity and commerce in building enterprises that can move beyond individual talent and create lasting economic value.
The conversation challenged creatives to approach their work with a stronger entrepreneurial mindset, recognising that global success requires more than exceptional skill. It demands business structure, strategic thinking, commercial awareness and the ability to build sustainable ventures around creative ideas.
As Africa’s creative industries continue to attract international attention, the session reinforced the importance of developing stronger business foundations that allow African talent to compete and create value on the global stage.
Leadership Beyond Borders: Building African Businesses for Global Impact
Bringing an international leadership perspective to the summit was Yibrah Tesfazghi, former President and CEO of GE Africa, who led a masterclass titled “Leading Beyond Borders: Building African Businesses and Leaders for Global Impact.”
Drawing from his extensive experience in international business leadership, Mr Yibrah Tesfazghi shared insights on building organisations, developing people and creating businesses capable of operating across borders.
The masterclass explored the importance of effective leadership, institutional development and preparing African businesses to navigate an increasingly interconnected global economy.
His contribution provided participants with valuable perspectives on translating business ambition into organisational strength, developing leaders with global perspectives and building enterprises capable of making a lasting impact.
Advancing Knowledge, Collaboration and African Enterprise
Beyond the featured sessions, AEBS 2026 provided opportunities for participants to engage with industry professionals, exchange ideas and explore practical approaches to business development.
The programme also featured interactive brand conversations, business engagements and networking opportunities designed to connect entrepreneurs, creatives and established industry players.
The summit further featured the presentation of TTYBrand Africa Magazine and the African Entrepreneurship and Business Awards (AEBA), recognising contributions to entrepreneurship, innovation, leadership and business excellence.
These engagements reflected the broader vision of AEBS to create a platform where African business conversations translate into practical insights, stronger relationships and opportunities for growth.
TTYBrand Africa’s Commitment to Building Africa’s Business Future
Powered by TTYBrand Africa, AEBS continues to provide a platform for amplifying African business voices, spotlighting innovative ideas and advancing conversations that contribute to the continent’s economic and entrepreneurial development.
The 2026 edition reinforced the importance of building African brands with clear identities, communicating their value effectively, developing commercially sustainable creative enterprises and nurturing leaders capable of competing internationally.
As African businesses continue to pursue opportunities across global markets, the conversations at AEBS 2026 offered a timely reminder that the continent’s potential must be supported by deliberate strategies, strong institutions, innovation and purposeful leadership.
With the theme “Made in Africa. Built for the World,” AEBS 2026 reaffirmed a shared ambition: to build African businesses, brands and leaders that do not simply participate in the global economy but help shape its future.
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