LPSA2024 - [Cloned #5142] » London Political Summit and Awards

“BEYOND LONDON”

London Political Summit and Awards LONDON POLITICAL SUMMIT & AWARDS 2026

THEME: Pan-Africanism and the African Union: The People, Place, Politics, Power
and Peace

Executive Summary

The London Political Summit and Awards (LPSA) 2026 – First Africa Edition (“Beyond London”) marks a historic transition of a globally recognised policy and diplomatic platform from its traditional base in the United Kingdom to the African continent.

Hosted by the Government of the Republic of Somaliland, this landmark edition convenes Heads of Government, policymakers, diplomats, investors, development partners, academia, and diaspora leaders to engage in high-level dialogue on governance, peacebuilding, economic cooperation, and sustainable development.

The Summit is held in honour of the Late Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga, whose legacy in democratic reform, Pan-Africanism, and peace diplomacy continues to inspire the Summit’s guiding philosophy: “Trade by Peace.”

Under the theme:
“Pan-Africanism and the African Union: The People, Place, Politics, Power and Peace”

the Summit seeks to reposition Africa’s development trajectory through dialogue-driven partnerships, diaspora engagement, and policy innovation.

The Somaliland Edition represents a strategic milestone:

The first African-hosted edition
A shift from diaspora dialogue to continental policy engagement
A platform to elevate Somaliland’s global diplomatic and investment
profile

Historic Background of Somaliland

The Somaliland restored its self-governance in 1991, following the collapse of the Somali central government. Since then, Somaliland has developed a distinctive governance model characterised by:

Peaceful reconciliation processes rooted in traditional leadership systems
Hybrid democratic governance combining modern institutions with customary authority
Multiple democratic elections and peaceful transfers of power
Relative stability and security within a complex regional environment

Despite limited international recognition, Somaliland has achieved notable progress in:

History of the London Political Summit and Awards

The London Political Summit and Awards (LPSA) was established as a high
level platform to:

Over the past decade, the Summit has:

Convened policymakers and leaders across Europe and Africa
Facilitated dialogue within parliamentary and academic institutions in the United Kingdom
Recognised outstanding leaders through prestigious awards categories
Strengthened diaspora engagement in governance and development discourse

A defining moment in its history occurred in 2016, when the Late Rt. Hon.
Raila Odinga delivered a landmark keynote on democracy, Pan-Africanism,
and peace diplomacy.

In 2018, the Summit institutionalised the Raila–Uhuru Africa Peace Accord
Award, inspired by the reconciliation between Raila Odinga and Uhuru
Kenyatta, reinforcing the principle that dialogue is central to sustainable
governance.

The 2026 edition marks its evolution “Beyond London” — into Africa.