By Esther Onyegbula

More than 10,000 interior designers and industry stakeholders from over 30 countries are expected to converge virtually for the 2026 edition of the Pan African Interior and Intentional Design (PAID) Summit, as organisers intensify efforts to position Africa at the centre of the global design conversation.

The three-day summit, scheduled for May 7 to 9, 2026, and hosted by Light Design Lab, is themed “Curating Our Future: The Power of Intentional Design.” It is widely regarded by organisers as Africa’s largest virtual gathering of design professionals.

Founder of Light Design Lab and convener of the summit, Osaru Alile Abraham, said the event is tailored to address the most pressing questions confronting African designers, particularly around sustainability, profitability, and global relevance.
“We built this programme around the questions African designers are actually asking right now, how do we sustain, how do we sell, how do we lead,” she said.

“Across three days, participants will hear from designers shaping hospitals in Johannesburg, hospitality in Lagos, policy in Washington, and architecture from Amsterdam to Luanda. This is not a showcase. It is a working summit for designers ready to claim authority on the global stage.”
Originally launched in 2018, the summit has evolved into a key platform for cross-border collaboration, attracting designers, architects, educators, and policy influencers from across Africa and the diaspora.

The 2026 edition will feature over 70 speakers and contributors, with discussions structured across three thematic days. The opening day will focus on intentional design practice, with conversations around sustainability, heritage, wellness, and emotional design.
Day two will address the business of design, including finance, legal frameworks, pricing models, and the growing role of artificial intelligence in shaping modern interior design practice.
The final day will examine influence and authority within the global design ecosystem, culminating in a high-level panel discussion on global positioning.

Organisers said the summit reflects a broader shift in global design narratives, as African creatives increasingly influence conversations around craftsmanship, cultural identity, and sustainability.
“African design is no longer a footnote in the global conversation. It is shaping it,” the organisers stated.
“This summit brings that movement into one room for dialogue, business, and collective vision setting.”
Beyond panel sessions, the summit will feature cultural programming, including music performances and spoken word, aimed at celebrating Africa’s creative diversity.

Participation has been structured to encourage inclusivity, with the first day open to the public at no cost, while access to subsequent sessions will be ticketed at 25 dollars for early registration and 40 dollars for standard entry.
In a move underscoring its social impact agenda, organisers disclosed that 70 per cent of proceeds from the summit will be channelled to The Happy Space Project, an initiative dedicated to creating safe and dignified environments for vulnerable groups, including widows and orphans across Africa.

Supported by key institutions such as the Interior Designers Association of Nigeria, Design Week Lagos, Africa International Design Awards, and Decorex Africa, the summit is expected to attract a diverse mix of participants, including students, manufacturers, real estate developers, hospitality operators, and media professionals.

Organisers expressed optimism that the 2026 edition will further strengthen Africa’s position within the global design economy while fostering collaboration and innovation across the continent.