UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit 2025 to Foster Sustainable Growth and Investment Partnerships in Dubai
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, Dubai is set to host the UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit 2025. Held on Monday, 27 October at Madinat Jumeirah hotel, the summit will convene under the theme ‘Building Bridges for Sustainable Growth’ as part of the broader Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World 2025).
The summit seeks to strengthen economic and tourism relations between the UAE and Africa, opening new horizons for mutual investment across diverse tourism sectors. With a strong emphasis on sustainable tourism, it aims to promote infrastructure development, strategic partnerships, and reinforce the UAE’s role as a premier economic and investment partner in Africa’s burgeoning tourism sector.
Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism and Chairman of the Emirates Tourism Council, will be in attendance. He will be joined by over 350 participants, including leaders, senior government officials, ministers, investors, and entrepreneurs from the UAE and 53 African countries. The summit is poised to serve as a significant platform for dialogue, facilitating the exchange of expertise and best practices, while also expanding opportunities for future partnerships throughout the tourism industry.
This initiative underscores the UAE’s leadership in shaping the future of global tourism. By advocating for innovative financing and investment solutions alongside the principles of sustainability and diversity, the summit reflects the UAE’s successful model of integrating economic growth with environmental protection and cultural preservation.
The event will center on pivotal sectors essential to the shared tourism vision of both regions. The agenda highlights investment in tourism-led projects, such as financing, infrastructure, and innovative, sustainable tourism initiatives.
A total of six panel discussions are scheduled, covering topics including growth opportunities, tourism cooperation between the UAE and Africa in both public and private sectors, and the role of tourism as an economic driver in African nations. Panels will also examine enhancing investment in tourism infrastructure, global finance opportunities in hospitality, and the crucial role the private sector plays in shaping Africa’s tourism future.
The sessions will shed light on how digital solutions, fintech, and improved logistical connectivity can streamline travel across Africa, bolstering both sustainability and visitor experiences, while contributing to economic growth. They will also focus on localizing innovation and implementing advanced digital technologies to develop unique destinations throughout the continent.
On the sidelines, a high-level ministerial roundtable will convene, led by Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, with the participation of more than 20 African ministers. The discussions will look at fortifying tourism as a powerful mechanism for economic growth and sustainable development across Africa, while learning from the UAE’s pioneering tourism model—one that has demonstrated the sector’s capacity to attract global investment and diversify the national economy.
Africa today stands as one of the world’s fastest-growing tourism markets. With its hospitality sector expanding by over 13% annually and attracting more than 74 million international visitors, the continent presents an attractive landscape for UAE investment and partnerships.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
