In a strategic move to deepen economic ties with African nations through tourism and hospitality, the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism will host the inaugural UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit on October 27, 2025, as part of the prestigious Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World 2025) in Dubai.
Setting the Stage for Cross-Continental Collaboration
Held at Dubai’s renowned Madinat Jumeirah, the half-day summit will assemble over 250 senior government figures, policymakers, and investors from 53 African countries. The event serves as a high-level dialogue platform, promoting investments across tourism, hospitality, and related infrastructure sectors.
A Strategic Alliance Through MoU
The summit is backed by a formal Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry and The Bench, organizers of FHS World. Signed in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE’s Minister of Economy and Tourism, along with H.E. Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary for Support Services, and Daria Smith, Portfolio Director at The Bench, this partnership ensures seamless planning, promotion, and execution.
Voices of Vision and Partnership
Badreya Al Maidoor emphasized the summit’s alignment with the UAE’s “We the UAE 2031” vision, aiming to reinforce the country’s global role through international collaboration and foresight-driven sectors. She described the summit as a “strategic platform for exchanging insights and expertise between the UAE and African nations,” supporting sustainable, mutually beneficial development.
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman and CEO of The Bench, added that this collaboration “reflects our shared ambition to accelerate investment and development across Africa’s hospitality sector,” positioning the UAE as a key conduit between global capital and emerging markets.
Why This Summit Matters
Africa’s tourism sector is on a promising upward trajectory. With over 577 hotels and resorts in development, adding 104,444 rooms, the continent is experiencing robust growth—surpassing global averages. In 2024, international arrivals reached 74 million, marking a 12% increase from the prior year and a 7% exceedance over 2019.
For the UAE, this summit underscores its ambitions as a global tourism investment hub, facilitating knowledge exchange, policy development, and project collaboration with public and private partners from Africa.
Summit Highlights and Themes
Participants will navigate a rich agenda that includes:
- Exploring tourism infrastructure opportunities, from resort developments to eco-friendly facilities.
- Discussing technology’s role in hospitality, including AI, digital guest experiences, and smart tourism solutions.
- Showcasing sustainable tourism projects, highlighting green construction, community engagement, and cultural immersion offerings.
Beyond discussion, the summit aims to spark concrete public-private partnerships, enabling capital flows, co-development ventures, and operational integration across the UAE and Africa.
Strategic Outcomes and Long-Term Goals
The summit’s design ensures it delivers lasting value by:
- Establishing a collaborative ecosystem among governments, investors, and industry leaders.
- Offering insight into market dynamics and regulatory frameworks across both regions.
- Reinforcing cultural exchanges and economic diversification through sustainability-driven tourism.
Through this initiative, the UAE strengthens its global reputation as a forward-thinking investment hub, while equipping African nations with tools, networks, and policy visibility to expand their tourism and hospitality sectors.
Looking Ahead: A Gateway to Continued Engagement
Positioned under the spotlight of FHS World 2025, the UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit is more than a one-time event—it is a launchpad for ongoing collaboration, fostering dialogues, generating deal flows, and creating a foundation for future projects.
Conclusion
With Dubai as its stage, the summit symbolizes a new chapter in UAE-Africa economic synergy. By aligning with strategic national visions and regional development goals, it promises to unlock investment, enable sustainable growth, and cultivate a resilient, interconnected tourism economy that spans continents.
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