UN Tourism launches Africa Women Mentorship Programme, empowering future leaders across 51 nations

AFRICA – UN Tourism has launched the Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Mentorship Programme, a six-month initiative designed to strengthen women’s leadership and professional growth across the continent’s tourism sector.

Announced on International Women’s Day, the programme is open to women from all 51 UN Tourism African Member States, with applications invited from 1 May to 15 June 2026, and mentorship running from September 2026 to February 2027.

From Freetown Recommendations to Continental Action

The initiative emerged from recommendations made during the Women in Tourism Regional Congress held in Freetown, Sierra Leone in October 2024, driven by African women ministers and sector leaders.

It is led by the Women in Tourism Leadership Africa Committee (WITLAC) with UN Tourism support, building on previous regional gatherings including the First Regional Congress on Women Empowerment in the Tourism Sector held in Ghana in 2019.

Who Can Apply and What They Gain

The programme welcomes women of all ages and professional backgrounds currently engaged in tourism-related fields, travel, hospitality, heritage management, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, academia, or event management.

Applicants must demonstrate citizenship from one of the 51 UN Tourism African Member States and show genuine interest in tourism as a driver of development in Africa.

Selected participants will receive guidance on leadership development, entrepreneurship, and digital adoption, while gaining tools to strengthen their professional capacity and expand their role within tourism.

The initiative places special emphasis on supporting young talent, emerging leaders, mid-career practitioners, entrepreneurs, and women from rural communities seeking to grow their influence.

Aligned with Continental and Global Goals

The programme aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and UN Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls.

By creating a collaborative network connecting women across the continent through mentorship and knowledge exchange, it aims to encourage greater representation of women in tourism policy and industry practice.

Selection Timeline and Process

Selection will run from 16 June to 31 July 2026, with the mentorship phase scheduled from September 2026 to February 2027.

Further details, including terms of reference and the application form, will be released ahead of the application window opening.

Elcia Grandcourt, UN Tourism Regional Director for Africa, encouraged women across the continent to participate, noting that “tourism thrives when women lead, innovate and grow.”

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