The 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market officially began on 13 September 2026 at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria. The three-day event runs through 15 September 2026 and centers on sports tourism, aiming to leverage the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) scheduled for 2027, co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
Return of African Tour Operators’ Summit to Strengthen Regional Partnerships
The African Tour Operators’ Summit resumed at Akwaaba after an eight-year break since its 2018 debut. The summit connects tour operators from Nigeria and other West African countries with counterparts from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. Its objective is to develop joint travel packages targeting AFCON 2027 football
fans, fostering collaboration across regional markets.
Africa Travel 100 Awards Recognize Leading African Tour Operators
On 14 September 2026, the event hosts the Africa Travel 100 Awards, acknowledging African tour operators who drive intra-continental travel. Eligibility criteria include a minimum of five years’ experience selling outbound tours within Africa, conducting at least five tours in the last 18 months, and being based on the continent. Nominations can come from past winners or self-nomination supported by endorsement from a tour operator based in a different African country.
Akwaaba African Travel Market’s Scale and Diverse Programming
Akwaaba African Travel Market remains the largest and only travel expo in West Africa. The 2026 edition features activities such as the African
Food Fair, Medical Tourism Expo, Africa Youth Tourism Bantaba, Wonders of Nigeria Expo, and the Aviation & Cargo Conference. Historically, the event has hosted various Africa Travel 100 Awards editions annually since 2016, focusing on notable industry segments and leadership.
Event’s Role in Intra-African Tourism and Industry Networking
Past Akwaaba events have attracted high-profile figures including former presidents and senior diplomats and continue to draw Ministers of Tourism, State Governors, Ambassadors, and High Commissioners from across Africa and beyond. The event promotes business opportunities for airlines, hotels, destination management companies, and other tourism service providers, advancing regional tourism integration and intra-African travel growth.
