The 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market commenced on September 13, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria. The event runs through September 15 and centers on sports tourism, aiming to capitalize on the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
African Tour Operators’ Summit Returns after Eight Years
The African Tour Operators’ Summit resumed in 2026 after an eight-year break since its last edition in 2018. The summit connects tour operators from Nigeria and West Africa with counterparts from Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. Its objective is to develop joint travel packages targeting football supporters attending AFCON 2027.
Organizers stated
the summit facilitates partnerships to promote multi-destination tourism itineraries that combine football event attendance with leisure activities across East Africa.
Africa Travel 100 Awards Recognize Intra-African Tour Operators
On September 14, 2026, the event will feature the Africa Travel 100 Awards. These awards honor tour operators with at least five years of experience selling outbound tours into Africa, who have completed at least five tours to African countries in the past 18 months, and are based on the continent.
Tour operators may self-nominate but require endorsement from operators in different countries or past award winners. The awards initiative celebrates businesses advancing regional tourism integration among African operators.
Akwaaba as West Africa’s Premier Travel Expo
Akwaaba
African Travel Market remains the biggest and only travel expo in West Africa, providing a platform for recognition and networking. The 2026 event includes programs such as the African Food Fair, Medical Tourism Expo, Africa Youth Tourism Bantaba, Wonders of Nigeria Expo, and the Aviation & Cargo Conference.
Since 2016, Akwaaba has annually hosted editions of the Africa Travel 100 Awards, honoring different categories involving the region’s top travel companies, women in travel, and global personalities.
Wide Participation and Distinguished Industry Presence
The event attracts participants and exhibitors from multiple African countries including The Gambia, Benin, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Ghana, South Africa, Namibia, Togo, São Tomé and
Príncipe, and Morocco. International countries such as the UAE, India, Spain, Turkey, Malta, the Netherlands, Bahrain, and the Bahamas also participate.
Past attendees have included former Nigerian Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Gambian President Dawda Jawara, ex-Commonwealth Secretary-General Sir Emeka Anyaoku, and former Nigerian Vice President Sir Alex Ekwueme. The event regularly welcomes Ministers of Tourism, State Governors, Ambassadors, and High Commissioners across Africa and beyond.
Strategic Focus on Leveraging Football and Tourism
Organizers emphasize combining West Africa’s football prominence with East Africa’s established tourism assets like wildlife and beaches to boost cross-border travel and economic cooperation. The summit and market aim to stimulate
business for airlines, hotels, and destination management companies through multi-destination travel products linked to AFCON 2027.
According to organizers, “The African Tour Operators’ Summit is designed to create a platform for tour operators from Nigeria and West and East African countries to develop joint packages for AFCON 2027 attendees.” The awards event is described as celebrating “businesses advancing intra-African travel and regional tourism integration.”
