AFCAA 2026 : Funmilola Adedeji-Bajulaiye, la gardienne scientifique des premiers awards panafricains de la franchise
Interview Questionnaire · Article Series · Communication Strategy
Background for journalists, editors & editorial teams
As President of the AFCAA 2026 Scientific Committee, Funmilola Adedeji-Bajulaiye brings an unparalleled combination of franchise expertise, brand strategy acumen and pan-African institutional credibility. Her role goes beyond jury oversight — she is the intellectual and ethical guardian of the awards, ensuring that every distinction granted by the AFCAA reflects genuine, documented excellence in African organized commerce.
CEO Drawing Board by ACR Global, her company, operates at the intersection of franchise ecosystem development and strategic communications — making her uniquely positioned to champion the AFCAA’s dual mandate: celebrate African commercial champions AND amplify their stories to the world.
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Funmilola, you have spent years building franchise ecosystems across Africa. When you were first approached to chair the AFCAA 2026 Scientific Committee — what was your immediate reaction, and what made you say yes?
The Vision of the AFCAA 2026 aligns with a subsect of our Mission at CEO Drawing Board and ACR Global. We are architects of the African Franchise Ecosystem and a credible, well structure award system will certainly be a catalyst to the growth of our Franchise brands and a signal to the Global Franchise Industry that Africa is ready to play.
The AFCAA 2026 is described as ‘a founding institutional act’ — not just a gala. What does that distinction mean to you, and why does it matter for the African franchise landscape in 2026?
It is a foundational brick laid in the African Franchise Ecosystem and indeed a timely one. A big well done to the team for the foresight of putting this together. Now it must gain industry wide acceptance.
CEO Drawing Board by ACR Global sits at the crossroads of franchise development and brand communications. In what ways does this dual perspective make you uniquely suited to lead the scientific oversight of these awards?
What we do is amply the African Franchise Ecosystem, develop the Framework through Partnership and Liaison with policy makers on the Continent and Continue Capacity Building on the continent to facilitate Franchise trade. We are excited to validate the success of any African Franchise Brand that contributes to our Continental Brand Equity. It therefore an aligned honour and pleasure to prescide over the Jury for the first African Franchise Awards.
The AFCAA has made an absolute commitment: candidature is free, and financial power plays no role in the jury’s decisions. How critical is this ethical framework to the long-term credibility of any African awards ceremony?
It is important for use to develop a transparent framework to competing brands. This will allow them compete on merit that will promote the growth of our continent in the Franchise industry rather than mere aggrandisement. There must be an impact and parallel growth in the African Franchise Industry GDP as a result of this Awards.
You will chair a jury of 7 independent experts drawn from AFCAD, ASF, OAC/UAC, and Africa Franchise Forum Magazine. How will you ensure that the deliberation process is both rigorous and fair — especially for a first edition where no precedent exists?
Simplicity breds excellence! 1. We will ascertain the 5 key areas used to measure each award category with crystal clear description and benchmarking samples 2. We will hold an internal vote for the nominees online and at the event and 3. The jury will use the metrics approved select the finalist.
The AFCAA covers 13 categories, from established franchise networks to individual franchisees, women entrepreneurs and emerging concepts. What is the common thread you will be looking for across every dossier — regardless of category?
Context: Invites Funmilola to define ‘excellence’ in her own words. One of the most quotable answers in the interview. 🎯 ★ PRIORITY — Core messaging for candidate mobilisation
1. Innovation · 2. Customer Acceptance · 3. Market Adaptability
Over 60% of African commerce still operates informally. From where you stand today — what is the single most important shift needed to accelerate the formalisation of African commerce, and is the franchise model equipped to deliver it?
There is no single most important shift required but consistent Market Growth and Framing Focus /support from all players in the Ecosystem. A collaborative visual of building this framework is important. From the Founders, to the policy makers and organizations like CEO Drawing Board, AFCAA, African Franchise Forum, the Associations, AAFDGT and others that will come. We must all do our part to make it work.
Africa has 54 countries, multiple legal frameworks including OHADA, diverse consumer markets and radically different infrastructure realities. What does ‘pan-African excellence’ actually mean in this context — and how can a single set of evaluation criteria be meaningful across such diversity?
Regarless of the diversity accross continents, there are 2 kings that determine success: 1. Regional Customers 2. Global Investors. We must listen to their feedback across boarders.
Women entrepreneurs are centred in AFCAA Category 4. In your experience building franchise ecosystems across Africa — what structural barriers still prevent African women from scaling their commercial ventures, and what would a meaningful awards recognition actually change for them?
There are no structural barriers that uniquely affect women in this Industry. Only barriers of the mindset, personal ambition and internal doggedness.
If you were speaking directly to a CEO or a Head of Marketing who is considering sponsoring the AFCAA 2026 — what would you tell them about the return on investment that this awards ceremony represents, beyond the logo on the banner?
The Franchise Market is a unique Market to hold visibilty. In one brand investment you can be exposed to several countries accross the globe, Franchise investors, the hosting Government players and channel managers. Sponsorship for this event is unique placement with potentially higher returns.
The AFCAA is built with four sponsorship tiers — Platinum through Bronze — each carrying a specific visibility package across the ceremony, Franchise Expo Dakar and Africa Franchise Forum Magazine. From a communications professional’s perspective, what makes this tri-channel visibility model genuinely valuable for a brand?
Being associated with a first edition always carries risk — but also historical opportunity. What would you say to a potential Platinum Partner who hesitates because this is uncharted territory?
Emerging Markets hold the highest risk, yet exponential returns.
To the franchise network operator in Lagos, the women entrepreneur in Abidjan, the emerging concept founder in Nairobi who is reading this interview right now — what would you tell them about why their story deserves to be in front of the AFCAA 2026 jury?
You have done the work and now you should recieve your medal for being amabassadors of African Franchising to the Global Franchise Market. We celebrate you and must support you for the next stage of your growth, because a medal from this award is a signal to Global investors. Take the step to be nominated today!
Ten years from now, when the AFCAA has become the reference distinction for African organized commerce — what do you hope people will say about what this inaugural 2026 edition made possible?
This was the flame that sparked the African Franchise Ecosystem fire. The light that woke up all stakeholders saying « Franchising is a race worth runnining in Africa ».
Official Media Partnership — Africa Franchise Forum Magazine × AFCAA 2026
© Éditions Prescicom SARL, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire
