Lagos is set to become the focal point of Africa’s tourism future as the (ATC) prepares to convene a landmark Pan-African Tourism Summit and Exhibition in Nigeria’s commercial capital.
Scheduled for February 11–12, 2026, the high-level summit will take place at the iconic Eko Hotel & Suites, bringing together policymakers, investors, development partners, tourism professionals and private sector leaders from across Africa and beyond. Organisers say the event is designed to reposition tourism as a strategic pillar for economic growth, regional integration and sustainable development on the continent.
The summit is being organised by the African Travel Commission in collaboration with the (NTDA) and the (ECOWAS), with strategic partnership support from the (AfDB). The multi-institutional collaboration underscores a shared commitment to unlocking Africa’s vast but underexploited tourism potential through coordinated policy frameworks, investment-driven strategies and regional cooperation.
Africa is home to some of the world’s most diverse natural landscapes, rich cultural heritage sites and vibrant creative industries. Yet, despite these advantages, the continent continues to account for a relatively small share of global tourism arrivals and revenues. Development experts argue that tourism remains one of Africa’s most underutilised economic assets, capable of generating millions of jobs, boosting foreign exchange earnings, improving infrastructure and fostering inclusive growth if properly structured.
Against this backdrop, the ATC Pan-African Tourism Summit and Exhibition aims to move discussions beyond rhetoric and toward practical, actionable outcomes. The event will focus on strengthening the entire tourism value chain, from transportation and hospitality to creative and cultural industries, destination marketing, digital innovation and community-based tourism models.
Speaking ahead of the summit, ATC Executive Director Lucky Onoriode George, PhD, emphasised the need for a paradigm shift in how tourism is perceived and managed across Africa. He noted that tourism must be treated as a serious economic industry rather than a seasonal leisure activity.
“Tourism is a catalyst for trade, infrastructure development and employment creation,” he said. “When governments and the private sector work together to structure tourism properly, it becomes a powerful engine for national and regional development.”
A key focus of the summit will be regional integration and cross-border collaboration, particularly within West Africa. The involvement of ECOWAS places strong emphasis on easing travel restrictions, harmonising visa regimes and improving intra-African mobility. These efforts align closely with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which seeks to promote the free movement of goods, services and people across the continent.
The participation of the African Development Bank Group adds a crucial development finance dimension to the discussions. AfDB’s involvement is expected to strengthen conversations around bankable tourism projects, sustainable financing models and large-scale infrastructure investments needed to support Africa’s tourism ambitions. Organisers say the goal is to bridge the gap between policy vision and investment reality by connecting governments with credible financiers and private investors.
Held under the theme “Accelerating Africa’s Tourism Growth through Innovation, Partnerships and Sustainable Investments,” the summit will feature high-level plenary sessions, policy dialogues, investment roundtables and a tourism exhibition showcasing destinations, hospitality brands, technology providers and creative enterprises from across the continent.
Key thematic areas to be explored include tourism policy harmonisation and regulatory reform, financing tourism infrastructure, public–private partnerships, digital transformation, climate-smart and environmentally responsible tourism, youth entrepreneurship and the integration of small and medium-sized enterprises into tourism value chains.
Lagos was deliberately chosen as host city due to its status as one of Africa’s most dynamic urban economies and a major gateway to the continent. With its vibrant arts scene, expanding hospitality sector and growing reputation as a business and entertainment hub, Lagos offers a compelling case study for urban tourism development in Africa.
Industry stakeholders believe the summit could mark a turning point for Africa’s tourism sector by fostering collaboration, attracting new investments and setting a shared agenda for sustainable growth. As global travel continues to rebound and evolve, Africa is increasingly being seen as the next frontier for tourism expansion, provided the right policies, infrastructure and partnerships are put in place.
The African Travel Commission says outcomes from the Lagos summit will include policy recommendations, investment pipelines and partnership frameworks aimed at strengthening Africa’s position in the global tourism market and ensuring that tourism growth delivers tangible benefits for communities across the continent.
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