The Fashion Law & Business Conference (FLBC) will return for its fifth edition on October 21, 2026, under the theme Fashion Without Borders: Handling Global Trade in a Shifting World. Organized by the Fashion Law Institute Africa (FLIAfrica), the event will bring together lawyers, designers, policymakers, and business leaders to address how African fashion can expand into international markets while handling legal and commercial hurdles.
The conference will focus on the legal, commercial and policy challenges shaping the global fashion industry, with particular attention to Africa’s position within it. African designers and brands increasingly operate in global trade, but their ability to secure market access and protect intellectual property will determine long-term success. Bernice Asein, executive director of FLIAfrica, said the conference theme reflected the opportunities and challenges emerging as the industry expands into new markets.
Discussions will explore how legal frameworks and policy developments intersect with business strategy. Discussions will consider how industry stakeholders can protect their interests, build strategic partnerships and respond to an evolving global trade environment. The event is designed as a collaborative space-law firms, tech platforms, and financial partners will join designers and retailers to share practical solutions.
The fifth anniversary marks a milestone for FLBC, which has provided a platform for professional development, knowledge exchange and discussion of the legal and commercial structures needed to support Africa’s fashion industry. Past discussions have shaped FLIAfrica’s broader work, including advocacy for stronger intellectual property protections and policy engagement to reduce trade barriers. The institute’s research also informs how African businesses can leverage global trade while mitigating risks.
Supporting partners for the 2026 conference include Rise Business, a financial services provider; Cardinal Counsel, a Nigerian law firm specializing in creative industries; and Deeluh, a legal tech platform. Chunk, an operating system for fashion businesses, and WassapShop, a shopping platform, will also contribute to discussions on operational efficiency. Fashion Business Africa serves as the official media partner.
FLIAfrica itself operates as a Pan-African organization dedicated to fashion law education, research, and policy advocacy. Its work focuses on improving legal awareness, promoting intellectual property protection, encouraging policy engagement and strengthening the environment in which African fashion businesses operate. The conference builds on this mission by connecting stakeholders across the industry’s value chain.
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