The United Arab Emirates is preparing to host the first UAE–Africa Tourism Investment Summit on October 27, 2025, in Dubai, a landmark event under the banner of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World 2025). The gathering will bring together more than 250 senior delegates from all 53 African nations, along with investors, policymakers, and private sector leaders, to deepen ties in tourism, hospitality, and infrastructure development.
The UAE’s Ministry of Economy and Tourism announced the summit as part of a broader strategy to strengthen cross-continental collaboration. Officials emphasized that the meeting reflects the UAE’s commitment to positioning itself as a global hub for investment into Africa’s rapidly growing markets. To that end, the Ministry signed a Memorandum of Understanding with The Bench, the London-based organizers of FHS World, ensuring that the event will be a catalyst for long-term partnerships.
African nations expected to play prominent roles include Rwanda, Kenya, and Nigeria, each presenting successful case studies in eco-tourism, digital innovation, and large-scale hospitality projects. Rwanda is likely to showcase its “Visit Rwanda” campaign, which has boosted the country’s international profile through sports and cultural partnerships, while Kenya and Nigeria are highlighting new opportunities in adventure tourism and leisure investments. These case studies reflect Africa’s ambition to leverage tourism as a driver of economic diversification.
Beyond investment deals, the summit is being promoted as a platform for sustainable development. UAE officials linked its objectives to the country’s “We the UAE 2031” vision, which stresses economic diversification, international cooperation, and environmental responsibility. Organizers say the summit will focus on creating tourism models that balance growth with sustainability, ensuring communities across Africa benefit from new projects.
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS), which evolved from the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, has become one of the most influential global gatherings for hospitality and tourism. By integrating the Africa-focused summit into its calendar, the UAE aims to facilitate deal-making between African governments, investors, and global institutions. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO of The Bench, described the initiative as a bridge between “global capital and emerging markets,” designed to unlock investment flows and create ecosystems that sustain growth.
Analysts argue that the UAE’s move reflects a strategic effort to consolidate its role as a gateway between Africa and the wider world. By combining its aviation and logistics strengths with Africa’s vast cultural and natural resources, Dubai hopes to position itself as a key broker of tourism investment. If successful, the summit could mark a turning point in Africa’s ability to attract high-value tourism partnerships, while reinforcing the UAE’s global leadership in hospitality and trade.
