A Commercial law firm, AELEX, has planned host its 20th yearly lecture, featuring the immediate past President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), Prof. Benedict Oramah, as keynote speaker.

The lecture, scheduled to hold on November 4, 2026, at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, will examine how African economies can navigate global disruptions and turn emerging challenges into opportunities for economic growth and development.

The event will bring together business leaders, policymakers, legal practitioners, academics, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders to examine the implications of geopolitical conflicts, changing trade policies and disruptions to global supply chains for African economies.

According to a statement by the firm, the lecture will address the question of whether global economic uncertainties represent an existential challenge for Africa or an opportunity for the continent to accelerate its development and strengthen its position in the global economy.

Oramah, an economist and development finance expert, is expected to draw on his experience in continental trade and economic integration to lead discussions on the challenges and opportunities arising from the changing global economic order.

During his tenure at Afreximbank, he championed initiatives aimed at strengthening intra-African trade and financial integration, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS).

The lecture comes amid growing attention to how African economies can reduce their vulnerability to external economic shocks by strengthening regional trade, improving financial integration and building more resilient economic systems.

The statement noted that conflicts, changes in international trade policies and disruptions to global supply chains could quickly affect African economies, making it imperative for policymakers and businesses to explore strategies for adapting to the changing environment.

The event will be chaired by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Ecobank, Mrs Bola Adesola, who has held leadership positions in several financial institutions across Africa, including Citibank and Standard Chartered Bank.

An international lawyer, Associate Fellow of the NIIA and author of “Law and Geopolitics: Global Disequilibrium,” Mr Femi Ojumu, will lead the audience dialogue.

Senior Partner of AELEX, Prof. Fubara Anga (SAN), said the lecture had, over the past two decades, provided a platform for conversations on issues shaping the continent’s future.