The 22nd edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market, West Africa’s largest travel and tourism exhibition and one of Africa’s top five travel expos, will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from 13 to 15 September 2026.
African Tour Operators’ Summit Focuses on 2027 AFCON
The second African Tour Operators’ Summit, returning after its 2018 debut, will be hosted during Akwaaba 2026. The summit aims to unite tour operators from East and West Africa to collaborate on sport tourism products linked to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
2027 AFCON to Be Jointly Hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda
The 2027 AFCON football tournament will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. The event provides a platform to
develop cross-border tourism linked to sports, encouraging football fans to combine attending matches with visits to prominent East African tourist destinations.
Africa Travel 100 Awards to Recognize Intra-African Tour Operators
On 14 September 2026, the Africa Travel 100 Awards will be presented during the summit. Known as the “Africans for Africa Awards,” the ceremony honors African tour operators who promote intra-African travel and showcase the continent’s tourism potential.
Akwaaba’s Growth and Side Events at 2026 Edition
The Akwaaba African Travel Market has evolved into a leading platform for tourism, aviation, hospitality, and travel business across Africa. It received the Award of Excellence in Tourism from the Nigerian Government and UNWTO in 2022. The 2026 event will feature
side events including the Africa Food Fair, African Medical Tourism Forum, African Tourism Conference, Destination Wedding showcase, African Youth Tourism Bantaba, Travel Technology forum, CHINET Aviacargo, business networking sessions, and exhibitions.
Strengthening East and West African Collaboration
The summit aims to strengthen cooperation between East and West African tour operators, leveraging West Africa’s status as Africa’s football powerhouse and East Africa’s tourism appeal led by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. This collaboration seeks to create travel packages that attract visitors to the continent around the 2027 AFCON.
Impact on Travelers and Sports Tourism Packages
The summit will facilitate the development of tailored travel packages for football supporters attending the 2027 AFCON. The initiative encourages
combining match attendance with visits to leading East African tourist destinations, promoting sports tourism across Africa.
