The 22nd edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market is scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from 13 to 15 September 2026. This event will host the second African Tour Operators’ Summit, bringing together tour operators from East and West Africa.
Focus on Sports Tourism Around AFCON 2027
The summit will concentrate on developing travel opportunities connected to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), which will be jointly hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. It aims to leverage the continent’s largest football tournament to promote intra-African tourism.
Networking and Travel Package Development for Football Supporters
During the summit, African tour operators will engage in business-to-business meetings and networking sessions. These activities are designed
to establish partnerships and formulate travel packages targeted at football fans attending AFCON 2027, blending match attendance with tourism experiences in East Africa.
Africa Travel 100 Awards Recognize Tour Operators
On 14 September 2026, the Africa Travel 100 Awards will be presented within the summit. These awards honor tour operators promoting African tourist destinations under the ‘Africans for Africa’ initiative, emphasizing efforts to increase intra-African travel.
Scope and Industry Recognition of Akwaaba African Travel Market
Akwaaba African Travel Market is the largest travel and tourism exhibition in West Africa and ranks among Africa’s top five travel expos. The event draws exhibitors and tourism stakeholders from over 20 countries, including The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania,
Seychelles, Ethiopia, South Africa, Egypt, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.
Side events planned for Akwaaba 2026 include the Africa Food Fair, African Medical Tourism Forum, African Tourism Conference, Destination Wedding showcase, African Youth Tourism Bantaba, Travel Technology forum, and CHINET Aviacargo.
Akwaaba’s Industry Standing and Strategic Aim
Since its inauguration, Akwaaba has evolved into a key platform supporting inbound and outbound travel business across Africa. In 2022, it received an Award of Excellence in Tourism from the Nigerian Government and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
The summit seeks to link West Africa’s football prominence with East Africa’s tourism appeal, aiming to foster collaboration
between tour operators in both regions ahead of AFCON 2027.
