Dubai set to welcome African tourism ministers, investors, and industry leaders this October to unlock new partnerships and accelerate cross-continental hospitality growth
The UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism has announced that it will host the inaugural UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit on 27 October 2025 in Dubai, as part of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World 2025). The initiative aims to deepen economic and tourism ties between the UAE and African nations, with a focus on driving new investments into hospitality, travel, and related services.
The announcement follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UAE Ministry of Economy and Tourism and The Bench, organisers of FHS World, in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy. The agreement was signed by H.E. Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector at the Ministry, and Daria Smith, Portfolio Director at The Bench.
The Summit is expected to bring together over 250 high-level delegates, including tourism ministers, government officials, decision-makers, and investors from across Africa’s 53 nations. Its goal is to unlock new avenues of collaboration and position the UAE as a strategic partner in shaping Africa’s fast-growing tourism economy.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative, H.E. Badreya Al Maidoor noted that “The UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit will serve as a strategic platform for exchanging insights and expertise between the UAE and African nations, supporting sustainable development efforts through the establishment of projects and partnerships that serve mutual interests. This aligns with the objectives of ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, which aims to position the country as a leading global hub for the new economy, driven by international partnerships and future-focused sectors.”
Echoing this vision, Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench, emphasised the power of collaboration, saying “We are honoured to partner with the UAE Ministry of Economy & Tourism to launch the UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit as part of FHS World 2025. This collaboration reflects our shared ambition to accelerate investment and development across Africa’s hospitality sector. The UAE has long served as a bridge between global capital and emerging markets, and this new platform will strengthen the connections between African nations and the international investment community. Together, we are creating an ecosystem that fosters meaningful dialogue, unlocks deal flow, and drives long-term economic growth across the continent.”
The Summit will showcase opportunities for public-private partnerships in tourism, investment, infrastructure, and hospitality, highlighting both current projects and future initiatives. It also underscores the UAE’s position as a global investment hub and a key partner for Africa’s tourism-led growth.
FHS World, which marks its 20th anniversary in 2025, remains one of the leading global gatherings for hospitality investors, owners, and operators. Last year’s edition welcomed 1,596 attendees from 735 companies across 60 countries, cementing its reputation as a catalyst for global hospitality investment. This year’s edition will run from 27–29 October at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai.
