Dubai Hosts 'UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit' Under the Patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid

Dubai hosted the UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit 2025, bringing together over 350 leaders from the UAE and 53 African countries to explore sustainable tourism partnerships. The summit, held under the patronage of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, focused on building bridges between Emirati investors and Africa's untapped tourism potential, with the continent attracting 74 million tourists in 2024 - a 12% increase from the previous year.

The summit took place during the Global Future Hospitality Summit, with high-level participation from tourism ministers across Africa including Angola, Senegal, Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, and Cape Verde. Notably, Sheikha Nasser Al Nuaimi, the newly elected Secretary-General of the UN World Tourism Organization for 2026-2029, attended alongside senior government officials and private sector executives.

Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, UAE Minister of Economy and Tourism, highlighted how the UAE has built tourism into a bridge connecting cultures worldwide and a key driver for attracting investment. He pointed to the UAE's track record of developing world-class tourism infrastructure, launching new airports, expanding airline networks, and creating quality tourism services that positioned the country as a leading global destination.

The numbers tell a compelling story. Before the pandemic, Africa's tourism sector provided over 22 million jobs and contributed around $180 billion to GDP. Industry estimates suggest tourism could add another $168 billion to the continent's economy and create more than 18 million new jobs over the next decade. But here's the thing - the sector is still recovering from pandemic impacts.

Air connectivity between the UAE and Africa shows the growing ties. About 550 weekly flights now connect the regions through Emirati and African airlines, creating vital transport links that support tourism, trade, and logistics cooperation.

The summit focused on concrete investment opportunities. For UAE companies, this includes developing tourism infrastructure, building coastal resorts and hotels, creating entertainment projects and emerging tourism cities across Africa. There's also significant potential in green and sustainable tourism projects, particularly renewable energy-powered resorts.

UAE investors are also looking at opportunities in African regional airlines, urban transport networks, electronic booking platforms, and fintech services designed for tourism. Meanwhile, African participants explored investment opportunities in the UAE market, including business tourism, cultural centers, luxury hotels, eco-tourism in nature reserves, and family entertainment projects.

Al Nuaimi outlined her vision for global tourism development, emphasizing the need for innovative solutions that create sustainable tourism impact internationally. She noted that Africa's rich and diverse tourism assets - from coastal resorts and beaches to heritage and cultural sites - require effective strategies to boost investment in tourism infrastructure and enhance connectivity between destinations.

The summit created a platform for exchanging insights on accelerating tourism transformation in Africa and developing new partnership models between governments and private sector. Participants discussed ways to boost infrastructure investment, drive innovation in hospitality and travel services, and build sustainable tourism systems that support economic growth.

Africa's tourism performance in 2024 shows momentum is building. The 74 million tourists represent about 5.3% of global international trips, which totaled approximately 1.4 billion worldwide. This growth reflects the continent's increasing appeal as an investment destination for UAE tourism companies looking to expand beyond their home market.

The summit represents more than just networking - it's part of the UAE's broader strategy to strengthen its role as a development partner in Africa. By connecting Emirati capital and expertise with Africa's tourism potential, both sides aim to create sustainable partnerships that can drive long-term economic growth across the continent's diverse markets.