The 16th Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from October 6 to 8, 2026, at Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum. The event theme was ‘Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence: Shaping the future of Tourism,’ focusing on the use of modern technologies to redefine destination exploration, management, and booking.
Akwaaba’s Role and Participation
Akwaaba African Travel Market participated as an exhibitor at MKTE for the second consecutive year, having first exhibited in 2025. With 22 years of experience at global travel fairs such as World Travel Market London, EMITT Istanbul, ITB Berlin, POATE Uganda, Kilifair Arusha, Sanganai Zimbabwe, and South
Africa Travel Indaba, Akwaaba targets intra-African travel promotion among professionals in tour operations, hospitality, aviation, and travel industries. Akwaaba attracts over 3,000 tourism professionals from more than 20 African countries.
Recognition and VIP Engagements
In 2022, Akwaaba received an award of excellence from the United Nations World Tourism Organisation and the Nigerian Ministry of Tourism. The market has attracted significant figures including Nigerian President Bola Tinubu and former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Dawda Jawara of The Gambia. Akwaaba also hosts the Africa Travel 100 Awards, African Medical Tourism Expo, and West African Jollof Rice War annually in Lagos, where the three-day exhibition draws delegates
across Africa.
Showcasing Kenya’s Tourism and Global Partnerships
The Magical Kenya Travel Expo serves as a crucial platform for showcasing Kenya’s tourism offerings and attracting global partners. The 2026 edition at Nairobi’s Uhuru Gardens National Monument and Museum brought together local and international travel and tourism stakeholders to engage on emerging trends, under the event theme emphasizing digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
