Africa Retail Awards 2025 Opens for Submissions

The Africa Retail Awards (ARA) 2025 is officially underway as the Lagos Business School (LBS) Africa Retail Academy has announced that entries are now open. This highly anticipated awards event, which is now in its fourth year, is once again set to recognize the innovations, leadership, and exceptional impact of businesses across the African retail sector.

In a significant update this year, a brand-new category has been introduced to reflect the evolving nature of retail operations. The new addition, titled Best Payment Company for Retail, aims to spotlight those financial service providers that have made significant contributions in making transactions smoother, more secure, and more reliable for both retailers and their customers. This move is seen as an important step towards acknowledging the increasingly critical role that payment technology plays in the retail ecosystem.

The Africa Retail Awards has continued to grow in stature and influence since its inception. Organizers describe it not just as an awards ceremony but as a platform that celebrates the backbone of African commerce. From traditional retail outlets to digital-first brands, the awards recognize businesses that are adapting and thriving in a fast-changing market.

The new payment-focused category reflects a growing appreciation for how much the retail landscape has evolved. With more businesses adopting digital payment methods, mobile apps, and e-commerce platforms, it has become essential to spotlight the companies behind these innovations. The Best Payment Company for Retail award will highlight those players that have managed to simplify payment processes, improve financial security, and use technology to create better experiences for retailers and shoppers alike.

Lagos Business School is partnering once again with Nairametrics and KPMG for this prestigious event. Nairametrics serves as the strategic media partner, while KPMG plays the important role of assurance partner, ensuring transparency and credibility in the entire awards process.

In speaking about the opening of submissions for the 2025 edition, Professor Louis Nzegwu, the Chair of the Congress and a Professor of Marketing at Lagos Business School, expressed his excitement about the growing impact of the event. He emphasized the importance of recognizing businesses that are not only succeeding commercially but are also promoting best practices in sustainability and digital transformation.

“We are thrilled to invite entries for the 2025 awards. The African retail sector is changing rapidly, and we must be intentional in how we recognize the businesses that are leading this transformation. Technology, sustainability, and innovation are now essential components of retail success, and we want to ensure these are celebrated,” he said.

Ugodre, the Chief Executive Officer of Nairametrics, also shared his views on this year’s edition. He described the partnership with Lagos Business School as a collaboration that is focused on elevating retail across the continent. According to him, the introduction of the new category will help ensure the awards stay current with the latest trends in the industry. He encouraged businesses of all sizes to take part, saying that excellence is not limited to large corporations and that startups and small businesses have just as much of a chance to shine.

This year’s awards will feature several distinct categories, each aimed at acknowledging different aspects of the retail value chain. These include:

• Best Retail Organisation for Innovation: This category will honour businesses that have introduced groundbreaking strategies, tools, or products that are shaping the future of retail.

• Best Retail Organisation in Omnichannel Trade: Recognizing those businesses that have successfully integrated online and offline retail experiences to provide a seamless customer journey.

• Best Retail Organisation for Footprint Excellence: Focused on sustainability and ethical practices, this award will go to retailers that are making a positive environmental and social impact.

• Differentiation in Retail Award: This category celebrates unique product offerings and businesses that stand out in a crowded marketplace.

• Best Retail Organisation in Range Excellence: For retailers known for their well-curated and diverse product selections that meet the needs of a broad customer base.

• Best Retail Organisation in Logistics Mastery: Highlighting those with outstanding logistics strategies that enhance supply chain efficiency and improve customer satisfaction.

• Best Payment Company for Retail: The newly introduced category designed to honour financial service providers that are enabling secure, seamless, and innovative retail transactions.

Each submission will be assessed through a rigorous evaluation process led by KPMG. Their role as assurance partner ensures that all entries are thoroughly vetted and that winners are selected based on merit and measurable impact. This layer of oversight is crucial to maintaining the integrity and prestige of the awards.

The winners of the 2025 Africa Retail Awards will be unveiled during the Africa Retail Congress, a major industry event scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at Lagos Business School. The congress will be a gathering of some of the brightest minds and most influential players in African retail. Attendees will include retail executives, policymakers, investors, academics, and technology providers, all coming together under the theme “Transforming Retail with Emerging Technologies.”

The congress is designed to be more than just a celebration. It will serve as a platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and exploring practical strategies to grow retail businesses across both formal and informal markets. The theme highlights the increasing importance of digital tools and innovations in shaping the future of retail across Africa.

Organizers are encouraging all eligible businesses to visit the official Africa Retail Academy website for more details on how to apply, including submission requirements and criteria for each award category. Interested participants can find more information at https://afracademy.lbs.edu.ng/events/2025-african-retail-awards or send inquiries via email to afracademy@lbs.edu.ng.

With the 2025 edition of the Africa Retail Awards and Congress on the horizon, the African retail community is once again presented with a unique opportunity to showcase its innovations, celebrate its successes, and inspire the future of commerce on the continent.