Africa is gearing up for a major gathering of business leaders, human capital experts and technology innovators as Learning and Development Network International (LDNI) prepares to host its flagship Champions of Talent Development (CTD) Conference 2025 in Lagos.
The event, tagged “Future-Fit Talent: Learning, Leading, and Thriving,” is scheduled to hold from 16 to 18 September 2025 at the Workforce Zone in Gbagada, Lagos, with an additional networking excursion on 19 September. Organisers say it will bring together more than 1,000 professionals—including CEOs, HR directors, EdTech entrepreneurs, policymakers, and talent strategists—from across Nigeria, Africa and the global learning community.
For many, CTD is more than a conference—it has grown into a continental movement that reflects the urgent need to rethink how Africans work, learn, and lead in a world shaped by artificial intelligence, shifting economies, and unprecedented workplace changes.
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From Florida Inspiration to Africa’s Premier Talent Gathering
LDNI was born in 2012, when a group of nine Nigerian professionals returned from the ATD Conference in Florida with a vision: to create a platform where Africans could engage with world-class knowledge and exchange ideas about the future of work.
Over a decade later, that vision has blossomed into the CTD Conference—widely regarded as one of Africa’s largest and most influential gatherings dedicated to workforce and leadership development.
Registrar of LDNI, Yemisi Peters, noted during a media briefing that the journey has been marked by resilience and growth. She described CTD as “a bridge that connects Africa’s unique workforce challenges with global best practices,” stressing that the 2025 edition will be its most ambitious yet.
This year’s focus on “Future-Fit Talent” reflects the pressing need for organisations to prepare employees for new realities. Hybrid work models, the rise of generative AI, and constant industry disruptions mean that leaders cannot afford to adopt a business-as-usual mindset.
Powerful Agenda: Learning Tracks, Keynotes and Celebrations
The CTD 2025 programme is designed to offer both practical learning and strategic foresight. Delegates will participate in four carefully designed learning tracks:
- AI, Digital Tools and Emerging L&D Tech – exploring how artificial intelligence, learning apps, and digital solutions can transform how organisations train and upskill their people.
- Leadership Agility and Transformation – focusing on inclusive leadership models, adaptability, and leading teams through uncertainty.
- Well-being, DEI and Resilience – addressing mental health, diversity, equity, and the holistic growth of employees.
- Future-Fit Workforce Strategy – equipping organisations with long-term frameworks for talent pipelines, succession, and sustainability.
Confirmed keynote speakers include Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, Head of the Civil Service of the Federation; entrepreneur Fola Adeola; and business leader Ibukun Awosika, among others. Each will bring perspectives that cut across governance, entrepreneurship, and leadership in a globalised economy.
Beyond the sessions, the conference will feature exhibitions, sponsor showcases, interactive masterclasses, and tech demos. The closing highlight will be a Gala Dinner and Awards Night recognising innovation and excellence in talent development across Africa.
According to organisers, these elements are not add-ons but integral to the experience. “People remember conferences not just for the speeches, but for the networks built and the recognition given,” Peters explained.
Why CTD 2025 Matters for Africa’s Future Workforce
Experts believe the significance of CTD 2025 extends far beyond professional networking. Africa’s workforce is expected to double by 2050, creating both an opportunity and a challenge: how to prepare millions of young Africans for meaningful employment in a future dominated by technology and constant change.
Habiba Balogun, Chairperson for CTD 2024, described the upcoming conference as “unmissable and unrivalled,” adding that its insights will help leaders align talent strategies with Africa’s development goals.
By placing issues like AI adoption, employee well-being, and inclusive leadership at the centre, the conference offers organisations concrete answers to questions that have no easy solutions:
- How do companies integrate technology without displacing people?
- What frameworks ensure resilience amid constant disruption?
- How do leaders harness Africa’s demographic boom for sustainable growth?
For LDNI, the answer lies in creating a pan-African community of practice, where professionals share lessons, successes, and strategies. Deputy President David Brown and Marketing Director Samuel Jackson echoed this sentiment at the briefing, noting that LDNI’s mission is not only to host conferences but to promote ethical standards, organisational growth, and access to world-class learning across the continent.
As the countdown begins, excitement is building among CEOs, HR experts and educators who see CTD 2025 as a platform to shape Africa’s future of work. For Nigeria, hosting this edition is also a statement: that the country is positioning itself at the heart of conversations about talent, technology and leadership in Africa.
With four days of intense learning, high-level networking, and continental collaboration, CTD 2025 promises to be more than an event—it will be a milestone in Africa’s journey toward building future-fit talent.
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