Intra-African travel is undergoing significant transformation. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) expands economic cross-border potential, making strategic tourism alignment an operational necessity rather than a discretionary consideration.
The 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) & Awards is scheduled for September 2 to 4, 2026, at Meropa Casino in Polokwane City, Limpopo Province, South Africa. This forum will convene ministerial delegations, policy-makers, hotel executives, hospitality investors, and destination innovators to examine tourism growth and emerging business opportunities. The thematic areas curated to enhance access to regional source markets and facilitate engagement with key decision-makers throughout the continent.
The initial lineup for the 8th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum has been announced. This year’s program features prominent pan-African sector leaders, including Ministers of Tourism, CEOs, industry leaders, and hotel group development directors. The following are the lineup of featured keynote speakers:
- Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa – Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)
- Elcia Grandcourt – Director, Africa Department, UN Tourism Spain
- Dr. Dušan Borovčanin – Advisor, EXPO 2027 and Assistant Professor, Singidunum University, Serbia
- Dr. Shatha Alkaud – Founder and CEO of Emportality Consultancy, Saudi Arabia
- Mokwena Morulane – Managing Director of Cresta Marakanelo Limited, Mr. Mokwena Morulane, Botswana
- Diego Rodriguez – President & Co-Founder, Passporter, Spain
- Lee-Anne Bac – Partner, Strategic Development and Advisory, BDO South Africa
- Prof Kobby Mensah – CEO, Ghana Tourism Development Company, Ghana
- Lee-Anne Bac – Strategic Development and Advisory, BDO South Africa
- Joel ‘Kachi Benson – Emmy Award winner Documentary Filmmaker / VR Creator, Nigeria
- Akwasi Obeng-Adjei – Executive: Risk (Business Bank), Absa Group Limited, South Africa
- June Chepkemei – Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Tourism Board (KTB)
These C-suite speakers will tackle real-world issues and guide discussions on leveraging AI to accelerate growth in tourism, revenue generation, and hospitality investments across Africa’s travel, hospitality, and investment landscape.
Beyond the Forum, this year’s host destination offers a brilliant case study in regional tourism development. Located at the crossroads of South Africa’s cultural heartland, Polokwane City, Limpopo features state-of-the-art MICE facilities and direct access to Limpopo’s rich biodiversity, wildlife experiences, and sustainable community-led tourism models.
For partnerships, sponsorships, registration, and enquiries, please contact: Ms. Palesa Madlhejwane at: palesakgadi@africatourismpartners.com / Ms. Busi Tshabalal at: busi@africatourismpartners.com or +27 (0) 11 318 1741 / +27 (0) 81 303 7030.
