The 22nd edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market will take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from 13 to 15 September 2026. This three-day exhibition will once again position itself as a major event in the African travel industry.
African Tour Operators’ Summit to Focus on AFCON 2027 Travel Opportunities
The event will include the second African Tour Operators’ Summit, emphasizing collaboration between sports and tourism sectors. The summit will target the development of travel opportunities linked to Africa’s largest football tournament, the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), to be hosted from January to February 2027.
Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda to Host AFCON 2027, Drawing East and West African Operators
AFCON 2027 will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Tour operators from East
and West Africa will convene in Lagos to leverage the tournament for boosting intra-African tourism. East Africa’s prominence in tourism, led by these three countries alongside Rwanda, contrasts with West Africa’s traditional dominance in African football qualification. The summit aims to unite operators from both regions to create travel packages around the football event.
Africa Travel 100 Awards to Recognize Tour Operators on 14 September 2026
During the summit, on 14 September 2026, the Africa Travel 100 Awards will be presented. These awards celebrate tour operators who have significantly promoted African destinations within the continent. Known as the “Africans for Africa Awards,” they acknowledge contributions to increasing intra-African travel and enhancing awareness
of Africa’s tourism potential.
Akwaaba African Travel Market’s Scale, Recognition, and Side Events
Akwaaba African Travel Market is the largest travel and tourism exhibition in West Africa and ranks among Africa’s top five expos for the sector. It earned an Award of Excellence in Tourism from the Nigerian Government and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) in 2022. The 2026 event will include side events such as the Africa Food Fair, African Medical Tourism Forum, African Tourism Conference, Destination Wedding showcase, African Youth Tourism Bantaba, Travel Technology forum, and CHINET Aviacargo exhibition.
Diverse African and International Participation and Summit Activities
Exhibitors and participants come from over 20 countries, including The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania,
Seychelles, Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates. The African Tour Operators’ Summit will feature business-to-business meetings and networking sessions focused on expanding cross-border tourism through sports.
Integrating Sports and Tourism Across Africa
The summit aims to integrate the African sports and tourism industries ahead of the 2027 AFCON tournament. Football fans visiting for the event will be encouraged to combine match attendance with trips to key East African tourist attractions. West Africa’s football heritage and East Africa’s rich tourism offerings provide a foundation for new intra-continental travel products designed to capitalize on AFCON’s continental appeal.
Travel Packages to Combine AFCON 2027 Matches with East African Destinations
African tour operators attending the summit will
collaborate on developing travel packages for AFCON 2027 supporters. These packages aim to connect football tournament attendees with East Africa’s leading tourist sites, facilitating combined sports and leisure travel across borders within Africa.
