Page 371 - MOET ENGLISH PR REPORT - OCTOBER 2025 (Part 1)

10/29/25, 1:51 PM UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit highlights tourism’s role as key driver of economic transformation - Aletihad News Center
The first session, titled “The African Growth Story: Tourism Driving Growth and Capital”, explored tourism’s role as a

key driver of Africa’s economic transformation. Participants reviewed investment opportunities in the tourism, culture

and creative industries, noting that strengthening tourism infrastructure is a key catalyst for inclusive growth, forming
new value chains and creating opportunities for growth in tourism and related sectors in Africa.

The panellists also focused on the importance of strengthening air connectivity between African countries, expanding

GCC-African aviation partnerships, and diversifying specialised tourism destinations and offerings, such as eco-

tourism, heritage, nature, cultural, and leisure tourism. These efforts are key to maximising economic returns and
reinforcing Africa’s attractiveness as a global destination for sustainable tourism.

The participants were Patricia de Lille, South African Minister of Tourism; Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art,
Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy of Nigeria; and Cheick-Oumar Sylla, Division Director for North Africa

and the Horn of Africa at IFC.

The second session, titled “Capital Meets Culture: Financing Africa’s Tourism Transformation,” explored the growing

role of operators and investors in developing tourism destinations through innovative hospitality models and strategic
UAE–Africa partnerships. The panellists underscored the role of investments in integrated tourism experiences that

focus on service quality and product diversity, and the need to boost long-term investments in hotel and entertainment

infrastructure to create new growth opportunities and broaden the range of tourism destinations in Africa.

The session also underscored the importance of integrating technology and digital solutions to develop advanced

destination ecosystems that meet global travellers’ expectations while enhancing sustainability through eco-friendly
standards and hospitality projects that engage local communities and drive job creation and economic growth.

The panellists were Uzoamaka Oshogwe, CEO and Managing Director of Transcorp Hotels; Hamza Farooqui, CEO of
Millat Global Holdings in South Africa; Liam Findlay, CEO of Miral Destinations in Abu Dhabi; and Dr Senthil

Gopinath, Chief Executive Officer and ICCA Chair, Events Industry Council.

Role of the private sector in tourism growth and sustainability

The third session, titled “Private Sector Leading the Way: Investors and Operators at the Forefront”, focused on the

leading role of investors in shaping the future of tourism in Africa. Speakers reviewed leading innovation experiences

and the expansion of tourism investment in hospitality and tourism infrastructure.

https://en.aletihad.ae/news/business/4617138/uae-africa-tourism-investment-summit-highlights-tourism-s-ro 3/4