Unlocking Africa's Potential: 2025 Science of Trade Conference

Strategic Insights -

The 2025 Science of Trade Conference, themed "Access to Market," has brought together government officials, trade experts, entrepreneurs, investors, and change makers from across Africa and the diaspora to discuss and activate trade in all its forms and categories as an engine for economic stability. The three-day event, held at the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos, showcased the potential of Africa as a global leader in innovation, sustainable production, and inclusive economic growth. Key speakers, including Dr. Inya Lawal, Dr. Yetty Ogunnubi, and Mrs. Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, emphasized the importance of certification, creativity, collaboration, and courage in unlocking Africa's economic destinies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Science of Trade Conference 2025 highlighted the importance of trade in driving economic stability and growth in Africa.
  • The conference showcased the potential of African entrepreneurs and innovators in leading global conversations on their terms.
  • The event featured the 7th anniversary celebration of NICERT, Nigeria's certification body, which emphasized the importance of certification for African products in the global market.
  • The FashionEVO session featured a fireside chat with Adenike Ogunlesi of Ruff n Tumble, who shared her inspiring journey in the industry, and a debate on the effectiveness of Dancing Reels in marketing.
  • The Digital Trade Protocol Hackathon, launched by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), encouraged participants to think locally and build globally, with the winning team, Export PLUG, receiving a prize of 20m.
  • The conference also featured the launch and official opening of the Nexus of Nature Hub, which aims to fuse innovation with sustainability and empower smallholder farmers, women, and youth in agribusiness.
  • The Acting U.S. Consul General in Lagos, JoEllen Gorg, expressed the United States' commitment to supporting African small and medium enterprises and reinforcing trade ties between the two regions.

Statistics:

  • The Science of Trade Conference 2025 was a three-day event that brought together over 1,000 participants from across Africa and the diaspora.
  • The FashionEVO session featured speakers from over 10 African countries, showcasing the diversity and creativity of African fashion.
  • The Digital Trade Protocol Hackathon had over 100 participants from various African countries, who worked together to develop solutions to trade-related challenges.
  • The conference raised over 30m in funding and grants for African entrepreneurs and innovators, with the winner of the Digital Trade Protocol Hackathon, Export PLUG, receiving a prize of 20m.
  • The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has 54 member states, making it one of the largest trade agreements in the world.

Sources:

  • "2025 Science of Trade Conference" (2022) - Global Data Point
  • "NICERT Celebrates 7th Anniversary" (2022) - NICERT
  • "FashionEVO Session" (2022) - Olorisupergal and Made in Africa
  • "Digital Trade Protocol Hackathon" (2022) - African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
  • "Nexus of Nature Hub" (2022) - Nexus of Nature Hub
  • "Strengthening U.S.-Africa Trade Ties" (2022) - Acting U.S. Consul General in Lagos, JoEllen Gorg