LSEG welcomes FLAIR Summit in partnership with Zotmann International Limited
The London Stock Exchange was honoured to welcome back the organisers and dignitaries of the First Ladies of Africa Impact & Resilience (FLAIR) Summit, together with partner Zotmann International Limited, to close the market on Monday 5 October 2026, opening both FLAIR Summit week in London and the UK’s Black History Month.
Returning to the Exchange for a second year, the FLAIR delegation gathered on the balcony alongside First Ladies, VIP guests, partners and stakeholders to celebrate the Summit’s continuing commitment to economic transformation, sustainable development and resilient leadership across the African continent. The Summit brings together First Ladies, business leaders, philanthropists and policymakers under a shared mission of advancing equity, opportunity and prosperity across Africa, and connecting those goals to global financial markets.
Building on a landmark year
Following its inaugural edition in London in June 2025, FLAIR returns in 2026 with a programme at The Dorchester, Park Lane. The FLAIR Summit on Tuesday 6 October convenes delegates for keynotes, panel discussions and roundtables on leadership, governance, trade, investment and women’s economic empowerment. The week concludes with the FLAIR Awards Dinner on Wednesday 7 October, celebrating exceptional women leaders, changemakers and advocates.
LSEG is proud to present the Woman in Trade & Enterprise Award at this year’s dinner, recognising a woman whose leadership is opening new pathways for trade and enterprise across Africa.
Strategic vision and partnership
Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, FLAIR highlights the pivotal role First Ladies play as catalysts for national development, particularly in healthcare, education, climate resilience and women’s economic empowerment.
This year’s Summit theme, “Women Leading Africa’s Transformation: From Vision to Action,” builds on this mission by focusing on turning vision into practical, scalable models of inclusive development, championed by Africa’s First Ladies and fuelled by public-private partnerships.
“When First Ladies stand together, the world pays attention. FLAIR affords us a collective platform to amplify our voices, champion the advancement of women and girls, and translate shared concern into transformative action.
This Summit establishes our common roadmap: to unite countries across Africa in ensuring that over 700 million women are empowered to speak with one resolute voice.
Let it be clear that what is unfolding here is not a fleeting moment, but the beginning of a sustained movement.”
H.E Amb Prof Olufolake Abdulrazaq
First Lady Kwara State
Founder Ajike People Support Centre
Chairperson Nigeria Governors Spouses Forum
Grand Patron FLAIR Summit
Her Excellency Ambassador Prof. Olufolake Abdulrazaq
FLAIR Patron, First Lady of Kwara State, Nigeria
Collaboration across sectors
FLAIR is supported by a broad coalition of governments, NGOs, financial institutions, foundations and leading corporates. Together, they are shaping a new model for development that centres African voices, champions innovation and elevates women’s leadership.
On behalf of the Board of Co-Founders,
“Returning to the London Stock Exchange for a second year is a powerful statement. African women are already leading businesses, communities and governments, and FLAIR exists to connect that leadership with the investment, trade and partnerships that will create lasting opportunity. We are grateful to LSEG for its continued support and to Zotmann International Limited for partnering with us this year.”
Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE DL
Co-Founder, FLAIR
About the FLAIR Summit
The First Ladies of Africa Impact & Resilience (FLAIR) Summit is an annual convening of African First Ladies and global leaders focused on driving inclusive development across the continent. FLAIR serves as a platform to amplify initiatives in health, education, climate and economic resilience, with the First Ladies of Africa at the forefront of advocacy, partnership and innovation.
FLAIR was co-founded by Dr Yvonne Thompson CBE DL, Dr Nero Ughwujabo and Dr Rex Idaminabo.
Through summits, forums, awards and strategic collaborations, FLAIR aims to unlock investment, elevate policy dialogue and deliver measurable impact for communities across Africa and the diaspora.
Find out more about FLAIR Summit 2026.
