Page 375 - 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
The participants were H.E. Patricia de Lille, South African Minister of Tourism; H.E. Hannatu Musa
Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy of Nigeria; and Mr. Cheick-Oumar
Sylla, Division Director for North Africa and the Horn of Africa, IFC.

Future of investment in tourism destinations

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 panelists underscored the role of
investments in integrated tourism experiences that focus on service quality and product diversity and the

need for boosting 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 panelists 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, 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.

Moreover, the session discussed the importance of developing vocational training and upskilling

programs to meet the growing demand for quality hospitality services, as well as enhancing the enabling
infrastructure such as transportation, energy and digital services. The aim is to ensure the integration of
the tourism experience from arrival to accommodation.

The panel featured Mr. Duncan O’Rourke, Chief Executive Officer, MEA APAC, PM&E, Accor Hotels; Mr.

Khalid Anib, CEO of Abu Dhabi National Hotels; Mr. Adrian Messerli, President of Hotel Operations,
EMEA at Four Seasons; and Mr. Neal Jones, Chief Operating Officer – Europe and Africa, EMEA OPR,
Global Leader – Design Hotels, Marriott International.

Tourism ministers discuss the future of the sector in Africa

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