UAE announces inaugural UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit to strengthen economic and tourism partnerships

UAE – The Ministry of Economy and Tourism of the UAE has announced it will host the first-ever UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit on October 27, 2025, in Dubai.

The summit will take place as part of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World 2025), one of the world’s premier platforms for hospitality, tourism, and investment sectors.

The summit aims to enhance and deepen economic ties and tourism cooperation between the UAE and African countries.

By focusing on sectors such as tourism, hospitality, infrastructure, and related services, it seeks to promote mutual investments and foster strategic partnerships that support growth on both continents.

As part of this initiative, the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Bench, the London-based organisers of FHS World.

The MoU was signed in the presence of H.E. Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, with signatories including H.E. Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector, and Daria Smith, Portfolio Director at The Bench.

This agreement pioneers collaboration in organising and marketing the event, aligning with the summit’s objectives to showcase tourism-related investment opportunities across Africa.

The event is expected to attract more than 250 senior government officials, tourism ministers, policy-makers, and investors from 53 African nations.

It highlights the UAE’s position as a trustworthy investment partner for the continent and aims to open new channels for cooperation in sectors vital to sustainable economic integration and development.

Participants will explore collaborative projects involving governments and private sector players in tourism, hospitality, investment, and infrastructure.

The summit will also spotlight future initiatives and innovations shaping travel and tourism experiences in Africa and the UAE.

Established in 2005, FHS World connects investors, hotel owners, and hospitality professionals globally. The 2025 event, celebrating its 20th anniversary in the UAE, will be held at Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, from October 27 to 29.

Its last edition attracted 1,596 attendees from 735 companies across 60 countries. This underscores the scale and significance of the platform for driving hospitality’s future.

The UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit promises to be a powerful catalyst for building enduring partnerships, creating investment opportunities, and stimulating growth throughout the tourism landscape across the two regions.

Sign up HERE to receive our email newsletters with the latest news and insights from Africa and around the world, and follow us on our WhatsApp channel for updates.