UAE to Host Africa Tourism Investment Summit in Dubai to Boost Economic Partnerships
The Ministry of Economy and Tourism has announced that Dubai will host the UAE Africa Tourism Investment Summit on October 27, 2025, as an integral part of Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World 2025), one of the world’s leading platforms for the hospitality, tourism, and investment sectors. The Summit aims to bolster economic and tourism ties between the UAE and African nations, enhancing mutual investments across vital sectors such as tourism, hospitality, and related services.
To facilitate this initiative, the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Bench, the organising entity behind FHS World. The signing took place in the presence of Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism, with Badreya Al Maidoor, Assistant Undersecretary for the Support Services Sector, and Daria Smith, Portfolio Director at The Bench, formalising the agreement. Both parties will work together to organise and promote the event, with the objective of amplifying investment opportunities in tourism-focused projects across the African continent.
The Summit is expected to gather over 250 high-level participants including senior government officials, decision-makers, and investors from 53 African countries. Among the attendees will be tourism ministers and representatives of investment promotion agencies from all over Africa, highlighting the UAE’s role as a trusted investment partner for the continent and paving the way for strategic collaborations in sectors crucial for integrated and sustainable economic progress.
Badreya Al Maidoor noted that the event will act 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.” She emphasised that this initiative aligns with the ‘We the UAE 2031’ vision, aiming to position the country as a leading global hub for the new economy powered by international partnerships and future-oriented sectors.
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “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 Summit will provide a unique opportunity for stakeholders from both government and the private sector to explore new avenues for collaboration in tourism, investment, infrastructure, and hospitality across both the UAE and African regions. It will also offer insights into future initiatives planned for the growth and sustainability of the tourism and hospitality industries in both markets.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
