Photo Credit: Julia Robles
African Ministers of Tourism have commended UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili for his unwavering dedication to promoting tourism across the continent. This recognition was expressed during high-level bilateral meetings of various delegations with the UN Tourism Chief at the UN Tourism headquarters in Madrid, coinciding with FITUR 2025 and the organization’s 50th anniversary.
The various discussions focused on strengthening regional collaboration, enhancing investment opportunities, and positioning Africa as a competitive and sustainable global tourism destination.
The distinguished delegation of African Ministers and officials in attendance included:
• H.E. Abdoulie Jobe – Minister for Tourism and Culture, The Gambia
• Hon. Vera Kamtukule – Minister of Tourism, Malawi
• Hon. Márcio De Jesus Lopes Daniel – Minister of Tourism, Angola
• Hon. Barbara Rwodzi – Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Zimbabwe
• H.E. Didier Mpambia – Minister of Tourism, DR Congo
• H.E. Marie-France Lydie Hélène Pongault – Minister of Tourism, Congo Brazzaville
• Dr. Pindi Chana – Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism, Tanzania
• H.E. Viviane Dewa – Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, Madagascar
• H.E. Sofiane Tekaya – Minister of Tourism, Tunisia
The meetings reaffirmed Africa’s collective vision for a more integrated and thriving tourism sector, emphasizing the importance of strategic partnerships and investment to drive sustainable growth.
African Ministers celebrate milestones and strengthen commitments to Tourism development
Country-Specific Commitments and Initiatives
Angola: Minister Márcio De Jesus Lopes Daniel reaffirmed Angola’s commitment to hosting an ICAO event and enhancing air connectivity. Plans are also in place to align its investment guidelines with an upcoming tourism fair in October. Additionally, Angola is exploring the establishment of a tourism academy focused on education and the expansion of its hospitality sector.
Gambia: Minister Abdoulie Jobe emphasized Gambia’s dedication to technical collaboration with UN Tourism, particularly in setting up a tourism satellite account.
Madagascar: Minister Viviane Dewa highlighted Madagascar’s focus on technical cooperation, the revision of its tourism law, and the leveraging of regional frameworks such as the Vanilla Islands initiative in the Indian Ocean. The country is also prioritizing the growth of its handicraft sector and capitalizing on expanded flight connections through Emirates.

Tunisia: Minister Soufiane Tekaya reaffirmed Tunisia’s long-term collaboration with UN Tourism, particularly in investment guidelines and training initiatives. Tunisia is focused on benchmarking best practices, expanding accessible tourism opportunities, and integrating technical projects from other nations.

Zimbabwe: Minister Barbara Rwodzi emphasized Zimbabwe’s success in hosting the 1st UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy in July 2024 and its commitment to establishing the Africa International Tourism Academy for Culinary Arts in partnership with UN Tourism. Additionally, Zimbabwe will host the Committee on Tourism and Sustainability meeting in September 2025.
Tanzania: The Minister of Natural Resources and Tourism Dr. Pindi Chana signed an official agreement to host the 2nd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism in Dar es Salaam. Tanzania aims to strengthen culinary tourism by fostering collaboration between African and European training centers and upskilling local chefs.
Malawi: Minister Vera Kamtukule expressed gratitude for UN Tourism’s support and emphasized the need for a stronger branding and communication strategy to elevate Malawi’s unique tourism offerings globally. Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended the country’s efforts to integrate tourism into its Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining (ATM) strategy.
Strengthening inclusive and accessible Tourism
The discussions highlighted the importance of making African destinations more inclusive and accessible. Ministers explored innovative approaches to improving tourism infrastructure to ensure equitable access for all visitors, aligning with UN Tourism’s broader agenda of promoting inclusivity as a pillar of sustainable tourism development.
UN Tourism Secretary-General applauds Africa’s vision
Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili commended the leadership and vision of African Ministers, emphasizing their commitment to transforming tourism into a key driver of economic and social progress.
“Africa’s tourism potential is vast, and through strategic collaboration, we can unlock opportunities that benefit local communities and the global tourism landscape,” he remarked.
With a collective push for investment, infrastructure development, and strategic partnerships, African nations are taking bold steps to position themselves as competitive, resilient, and sustainable global tourism destinations.