One-on-One Business Exchange & Innovation Challenge Pitching Lab (closed event)
Evening at Leisure
Wednesday,
25 JUNE 2025
Summit Day 1
Official opening
Full-day Summit Sessions
End of Day 1
Thursday,
26 JUNE 2025
Summit Day 2
Innovation Battle
End of Day 2
Evening at Leisure
Friday
27 JUNE 2025
Summit Day 3 (Half-Day)
One-on-one Employability and Investor Dialogues
End of Summit
Closing Cocktail
Announcement of Top 5 Innovation Challenge Winners
TUESDAY, 24 JUNE 2024
SMME TRAINING DAY & TRADING DAY
ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND START-UP MASTERCLASS
ALL DAY
Delegates Arrivals and Intra-Africa Tourism & Entrepreneurship Expo Set-Up
All Exhibitors
07h00 – 08h50
Registration, Networking and Business Card Exchange
All Participants
09h00 - 09h05
Introduction & Welcome Address
Gauteng Tourism
09h10 – 10h30
AI Adoption Masterclass
Artificial Intelligence Adoption: Navigating AI disruptions and promising business prospects for youth and start-ups in for the future of Africa’s tourism ecosystem
Prof. Kobby Mensah - CEO, Ghana Tourism Development Company, Ghana
10h30 – 11h15
The Evolution of Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events (MICE)
Acting for Impact: Learning about the Business Events value chain as a driver for youth employability and entrepreneurship development in Africa.
Rudi van der Vyver - CEO, We Are Events, South Africa
Tes Proos - Founder, Crystal Events, South Africa
11H15 - 11H30
NETWORKING AND REFRESHMENT BREAK
All Participants
11h30 - 13h00
Start-up and Entrepreneurship Masterclass
Bridging the Start-Up Divide: Business Model Innovation in a Rapid Changing Environment of Business for Start-ups and Entrepreneurship
Sifiso Dube - Senior Consultant, BDO, South Africa
13h00 – 14h00
Lunch
All Participants
14h15 - 16h00
Closed Session - Top 5 Shortlist, Judges and Mentors Only
Africa Tourism Innovation Challenge Boot Camp & Demo Lab.
Africa Youth in Tourism Challenge Adjudication Committee and Independent Experts
WEDNESDAY, 25 JUNE 2025
07h00 – 09h00
Registration, Networking and Business Card Exchange
Kwakye Donkor -
CEO, Africa Tourism Partners, South Africa
09h30 - 09h40
Address by UN Tourism
Elcia Grandcourt
-
Director, Africa Department, UN Tourism, Spain.
09h40 - 09h50
Message by AfCFTA Secretariat
Emily Njeri Mburu-Ndoria -
Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade, AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana
09h50 - 10h00
Solidarity Address by Namibia - Host of the 4th - 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit & Challenge
H.E Ambassador Albertus Aochamub -
Ambassador, France & Spain, Permanent Delegate of Namibia to UNESCO and UN Tourism
10h00 – 10h05
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Prof Gregory J. Davids (TBC) -
Chairperson, South African Tourism
10h05 - 10h20
Opening & Keynote Address
Hon. Patricia De Lille-
Minister of Tourism, South Africa
10h20 – 10h30
Guest of Honour
H.E Zurab Pololikashvili
-
Secretary-General of the UN Tourism, Spain
10h30– 11h30
Ministerial and Industry Leaders Dialogue
Community Engagement and Inclusive Tourism: Nurturing tourism clusters as formal and informal commercial villages for youth and women employment and financial inclusion.
Hon. Patricia de Lille
-
Minister of Tourism, South Africa (TBC)
Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie
-
Minister , Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Ghana
Emily Njeri Mburu-Ndoria
-
Director of Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights, and Digital Trade, AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana
Elcia Grandcourt
-
Director, Africa Department, UN Tourism, Spain
Moderator - Matsetsebale Tleane
-
Director, Agape Youth Movement NPC &
UNESCO, South Africa
Exploring Aviation Skills and Career Paths Beyond Flying
Sandile Chipunza Manager External Affairs & Sustainability AME - Regional Business Development, IATA, Southern Africa
12h20 - 13h00
MICE and Business Events Masterclass
An African case study: Building financially viable and legacy events’ business through creativity and innovation.
Adele Hartdegen -
CEO, Rand Show, South Africa
13h00 - 14h00
Visual Inserts, Lunch & Networking Session
14h00 – 14h45
Reimaging the Future
Copyright, trademarks, and patents - Critical financial assets for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) Protection for tourism, creatives and cultural entrepreneurs.
Daphine Lekipaika
-
Junior Expert in Trade in Services, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, Ghana
Afia Abrafi Luntu Donkor
-
Associate, Corporate & Commercial Law, Adams & Adams, South Africa
Moderator - Lee-Anne Bac
-
Director, BDO South Africa
14h45– 15h45
Privileged Insights & South African Case Studies
Capital Raising: Understand the compelling considerations for successful capital raising for startups, accelerators and entrepreneurs.
Katlego Mphahlele
-
Senior Deal Maker, IDC, South Africa
Connie-Marlene Theyse
-
Head of Enterprise Banking FNB, Namibia
Ndabenhle Ntshangase
-
Chief Executive Officer, Air Student
Christelle Grohmann
-
Director, BDO, South Africa
Interviewer: Siya Mthethwa
-
Chief Officer Strategy, South African Tourism
15h45 – 16h45
2025 Pitch Battle
Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge Demos & Lab.
Adjudication Committee & Chair of the Africa Tourism Innovation Hub
Chair
Prof. Keo Motaung
-
Founder & CEO, Global Health Biotech (Pty) LTD
Akwasi Obeng Adjei
-
Executive: Risk, Business Banking, Absa Bank South Africa please change both on the website & the booklet
16h45 – 17h00
Daily Reflections
Prof Michael Twum-Darko
-
Chair, Africa Tourism Innovation Hub
&
Head: Centre for Business Innovation & Incubation,
Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
THURSDAY, 26 JUNE 2025
07h00 - 08h00
Registration, Networking and Business Card Exchange
Invited Faculty of Speakers & All Participants
09h00 – 09h05
Scene Setter
York Zucchi
-
Founder, Startup Tribe, Italy
09h05 – 10h30
Harnessing Tomorrow’s Potential
Youth-led Business Ventures: Lessons for breaking barriers to youth start-ups and employability through tourism, hospitality and creative industries
Bheki Dube - Found & CEO, Curiosity, South Africa
Mahider Tadesse - Founder, Hallpax, USA & Ethiopia
Zainab A. Muntari - CEO, Sixthh African Region Initiatives, Ghana
John Tsatsi - Vice Chairman, Tour Operators Association of Lesotho
Moderator - Bongiwe Nzeku - Head: Business Development & Support Services, South Africa Tourism
10h30 – 11h00
The AI Economics
The Dawn of AI Revolution:Turning to AI for tourism, travel and hospitality business growth and profitability
Leid Zejnilovic -Associate Professor and Associate Dean for AI and Digital Transformation, Nova Business and Economics, Portugal
11h00 – 11h15
NETWORKING, REFRESHMENT BREAK AND EXPO TOUR
11h15 – 11h30
Scene Setter: Exploiting the convergence of Africa’s Blue Economy to scale up small enterprises in tourism.
Ross Volk - Managing Director of MSC Cruises, Southern Africa
11h30– 13h00
Business Advisory & Entrepreneurship Perspective
The Blue Economy: An untapped opportunity of tourism entrepreneurship and career development for African youth and students.
Ross Volk - Managing Director of MSC Cruises, Southern Africa
Gumbo Mhandeni - CEO /Founder, Experiential Travel Africa, Tanzania
Sebulon Chicalu - CEO, Namibia Tourism Board
Ben Anane-Anane Nsiah - Deputy CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority
Understanding Design Thinking:A strategic approach to developing customer-centric business solutions for growth and profitability.
Prof. Keo Motaung
-
Founder & CEO - Global Health Biotech (Pty) Ltd, South Africa
10h15 – 11h00
An African Gastronomy Business Proposition Fire Chat
Food Tourism:Cultural Capital for a compelling start-up business opportunity for African youth.
Chef Ednah Rosenr - Cookbook author and Blogger, Botswana
Chef Lebo Phala - HL Culinary, South Africa
Dr Linda Pereira - CPL, Events, Portugal
Precious Maseko - Manager, SA Chefs Association, South Africa
Moderator - Safiyya Akoojee -Director, Fortunatus, UAE
11h00 – 11h15
Refreshment and Networking Break
11h15 – 12h00
Exploring Diverse Career Path
Understanding industry trends, developing essential skills, and exploring diverse career paths in tourism, hospitality and aviation
Prof Diane Abrahams -Director, School of Tourism and Hospitality, University of Johannesburg
David Mwangi -Ag. CEO Tourism Fund, Kenya
Prof Ntise Manchidi -Chair of Department: Applied Management School of Public and Operations Management, Unisa, South Africa
Lebo Mpye -Executive Manager, Learning Programmes, Cathsetta, South Africa
Moderator - Prof Michael Twum-Darko -Chairperson of Africa Tourism Innovation Hub & Head: Centre for Business Innovation Incubation, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
12h00 – 13h00
The knowledge Hub
Innovative Digital and Fintech Business Platforms:The roadmap for viable commercialisation for MSMEs (Micro, Mediums and Small Enterprises) in Tourism, Creatives and Cultural Industries.
Caroline Smallwood
-
Managing Director, Amadeus, Southern Africa
Mbali Mngomezulu
-
Manager, Business Development, Mastercard, South Africa
Maureen Masuku - Head, eBucks Corporate Travel, FNB, South Africa
Mbekezeli Khumalo
-
Programmes Director - Youth Innovation Entrepreneurship Design Institute (YIEDI), South Africa
Moderator: Nonnie Kubeka
-
Head, Gauteng, Convention and Events Bureau,
13h00 – 14h00
Networking, Refreshment Break and Expo Tour
14h00 – 14h45
Youth Empowerment Beyond Coaching
Enabling intergenerational business partnerships through mentorship coaching and youth empowerment.
Winfred Gakii
-
Executive Director, Chiavis LTD, Kenya
Bono Mmusi
-
Project Manager - The Botswana Society
Luckson Zambuko
-
Chairman, African Youth In Tourism and Hospitality Association, Zimbabwe
Jabu Matsilele
-
Chairperson Small Tourism Enterprise Association
Moderator:
Aaron Munetsi, CEO, Airline Association of Southern Africa
14h45 – 16h40
Mentorship Festival & Employability Clinic
1-on- 1 Delegates consultations with experts & speakers.
Moderated by - Nomasonto Ndlovu , Independent Tourism Consultant, South Africa
All Speakers and delegates
16h40– 17h00
Wrap-up and Reflections
Miller Matola - CEO, Millvest
17h00
Closing Remarks
Joburg Tourism (TBC)
19h30 - 22h00
Programme Directors
Linda Mupupa -
Founder at Outrageous Communications, Namibia & Winfred Gakii, founder of Chiavis Ltd
Cocktail evening - Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge Awards and Networking
Presented by Namibia Tourism Board
Programme Directors
Linda Mupupa -Founder at Outrageous Communications, Namibia & Winfred Gakii, founder of Chiavis Ltd
Announcement of Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge Top 5.
Chair: Prof Michael Twum-Darko
Chairperson of Africa Tourism Innovation Hub & Head: Centre for Business Innovation Incubation, Faculty of Business and Management Sciences, Cape Peninsula University of Technology
