May 7-9, 2026

The Power of Intentional Design

Curating Our Future

A virtual summit for designers across Africa and the diaspora, consciously shaping the Pan-African interior voice — professionalism, culture, well-being, and the future of spaces.

What is

PAID

Pan-African Interior and Intentional Design Summit

PAID Summit is a three-day Pan-African design gathering bringing together designers, educators, architects, technologists, and cultural thinkers across Africa and the diaspora.

Hosted by Light Design Lab, the summit centers design as a tool for responsibility, agency, and long-term impact.

This is where African perspectives lead the conversation, and global exchange strengthens it.

PAID Summit

Pan-African Interior and Intentional Design Summit

MAY

7 - 9, 2026

Osaru Alile-Abraham

Creative Director, CC Interiors Studio · Convener, PAID Summit

Cédrix Tsambang

Founder, Chorus Architecture

Jacqueline Aki

Managing Partner, James Cubitt Interiors · President, IDAN

Victor Ehikhamenor

Multimedia Artist, Writer & Photographer

Jackie Waacuka

Founder, Design Cafe · Head, ADKE Interior Design Chapter

Jack Travis, FAIA, NOMAC

Principal, Jack Travis Architect · Adjunct Professor, Pratt Institute

Moriam Ajaga

Special Adviser to the President of Nigeria on Art & Culture

Titi Ogufere

Founder, African Design Network · Founder, Design Week Lagos

Charrisse Johnston

President-Elect, CIDQ · Co-Founder, StudioSALT

Thandeka Palai

President, Architects Association of Botswana · Founder, Lebone Architects

Audrey Forson

Managing Director, TEKURA · President, IDDG

Astrid Hebert

Co-Founder, 3C Group · Founder, AIDA Awards

Garreth van Niekerk × Alan Hayward

Joint Executive Creative Directors, Decorex Africa

Angelica Baccon

Principal, SHoP Architects

Eden Carter

Global Curator & Sustainability Lead, Light Design Factory

Tebogo Modisagape

Founder, Val Interiors

David Idibe

Founder & CEO, Dezyn Cycle Ltd

Joy Ayere

Editor-in-Chief, The Light Design Edit

Olufisayo Bakare

Founder, The Yellow Lagos

Daniel De Lemos

Creative Director, The Creative Hub

Omari DuPont

Architect · Social Impact Lead, Light Design Factory

Tobi Ashiru

Founder, Poché Design Studio · Adjunct Professor, USC

Adesola Adebiyi

Architect · Co-founder, Dezyn Cycle

Amara Duarte

Design Educator, Light Design Lab

Prof. Dolapo Amole

Professor of Architecture, Obafemi Awolowo University

Divine Chukwubuihem

Architect · Founder, The Legacy Initiative

Titi Fowora

Founder & Lead Interior Designer, Inu Design Ltd

Adedayo G. Adesina, SAN

Lead Partner, Oyewole & Adesina

Eileen (Kissi) Ninson

Head of Finance, Adjaye Associates

Temilola Muyiwa-Ajayi

Associate Partner, Charles Renshaw & Abraham

Neo Aizawa

AI & Design Futures Analyst, Light Design Factory

Abiodun Shonibare

Associate Partner, Studio Stoone Designs · Director, ShiftLag

Inioluwa Aiyemomi

Spatial Designer · Visual Lead, Light Design Factory

Victoria Ikede

Senior BIM Manager & National AI Lead, Architecture49

Michael Osumo

AI Strategist · Program Manager, Instig Labs

Josephine Oshiafi

Business Development & Investor Relations Lead, Amber Hospitality

Deise Forgiarini Smith

Founder, Deise Smith Studio

Bunmi Sokenu-Salako

Director, Ave Maria Development Ltd

Tinuke Odunfa

Founder & CEO, The 4th Place Company

Jamila Mohammed-Faniyi

Managing Director, M&E Kaiser Limited

Olayinka Odejayi

Co-Founder, Triangle Limited

Iselene Augusto

Creative Strategist & Program Architect, Cipro-Group

Wangui Mwangi

Founder, African Biophilia Conference & Expo

Paula Rumm

Strategic Entrepreneur & Systems Builder

Bolanle Williams-Olley

CFO, Executive Operating Partner & Author

Ahmed Rabie

Founder EIDA · Founder & CEO, Atrium Design

Uduak Effiong Udoh

Partner & Managing Director, CCP Rwanda

Happy Spaces

70%

of all proceeds support the cause

Design With Impact

PAID Summit is impact-driven by design. Proceeds support the Happy Space Project, transforming everyday homes for widows, orphans, and underserved communities across West Africa.

Participation is not just attendance — it's contribution.

Three Days, Three Tracks

Each day of PAID Summit has its own theme and access tier. Day 1 is free for everyone; Days 2 & 3 unlock with the Full Access Pass.

Free Access

Day 1

Day 1 — Intentional Design: The Practice

Sustainability, heritage, wellness, and social impact through interior spaces. Free for everyone.

Explore Day 1

Claim Free Access

Full Access Pass

Day 2

Day 2 — The Professional Practice of Interior Design

Education, legal, finance, AI tools, and standards — building a sustainable interior design career.

Explore Day 2

Get Full Access

Full Access Pass

Day 3

Day 3 — Design Influence & Authority

Pricing, profit, value, policy, investment, collaboration, and global positioning for African interiors.

Explore Day 3

Get Full Access

Choose How You Enter the Room

Three days. Powerful minds. Career-shaping conversations.

Day 1 is free for everyone. Days 2 & 3 unlock the strategic rooms with the Full Access Pass.

Day 1

Free Pass

Enter the Room — join the opening day of Africa’s leading virtual design summit.

Your Access Includes:

Full access to all Day 1 live sessions
Opening keynotes
Panels with leading voices across design
Interactive breakout rooms
Live performances
Insights shaping the future of the industry
Studio tour
Seamless upgrade to Full Access anytime

Claim Free Access

Day 1, 2 & 3

Full Access Pass

Unlock the most strategic rooms of the summit — where business growth, pricing power, AI, sustainability, global relevance, and elite conversations happen.

Your Access Includes:

Full access to all Day 1, 2 & 3 premium sessions
Business, legal & financial strategy conversations
AI and future-of-work workflows
Deep-dive breakout rooms (pricing, clients, positioning)
Strategy-led panels on growth and global relevance
Sustainability-focused discussions shaping future design
Private breakout rooms and curated networking spaces
Studio tours and expert-led experiences
Unlimited replay passes to all summit recordings

Unlock Full Access

Who should attend the PAID Summit?

Interior designers, architects, product designers, design students, creative directors, and anyone passionate about Pan-African design. Whether you are a seasoned professional or an emerging talent, the summit has content for all levels.

What topics will be covered?

The summit is organised across three days: Day 1 covers Intentional Design (sustainability, heritage, wellness, and social impact); Day 2 focuses on Professional Practice (education, legal, pricing, AI tools, and standards); Day 3 explores Design Influence & Authority (commanding value, policy, investment, collaboration, and global positioning).

How do I attend?

The summit is fully virtual. Register to receive your access link and join all sessions online with live-streamed presentations, interactive Q&A, and on-demand access after the event.

Are the sessions free?

Day 1 (Intentional Design) sessions are free for all registered attendees. Day 2 (Professional Practice) and Day 3 (Design Influence & Authority) recorded sessions may be available for purchase after the event.

Are CPD/continuing education credits available?

We are working with industry bodies to offer continuing professional development credits for select sessions. Details will be announced closer to the event.

Can I sponsor or exhibit at the summit?

Absolutely! We offer a range of sponsorship and exhibition packages. Please reach out via our contact page for details on partnership opportunities.

How can I stay updated?

Convened by

Our Partners

PAID Summit 2026 is hosted by Light Design Lab in partnership with the leading institutions, studios, media, and educational platforms shaping African design.

Hosted By