Tourism stakeholders, innovators, and policymakers gathered for the official launch of the Africa Youth Tourism Innovation Challenge 2025 at Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) in Nairobi, Kenya on January 20th, 2025.
The event, convened by Africa Tourism Partners and hosted by TEAMS Africa in collaboration with UN Tourism, the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, and the Kenya Tourism Board, will take place at KICC from June 10th to June 13th, 2025.
The speakers underscored youth-led innovation as key to Africa’s tourism future, and tourism’s role in economic growth and the importance of nurturing emerging leaders.
Moderated by Håvar Bauck (Co-Founder of HotelOnline and TEAMS Africa), the program featured remarks from industry figures like Africa Tourism Partners CEO Kwakye Donkor, HospitalityEQ CEO Barry Clemens, and SNDBX CEO Joram Mwinamo, All applauded the creative energy of young entrepreneurs, highlighting how mentorship and networking can transform bold ideas into practical solutions.
Representatives from the Africa Tourism Innovation Hub and AfCFTA emphasized collaboration, technology, skills development, and supportive trade frameworks. Former Innovation Challenge winners, Gloria Kisilu from Kenya, and Joseph Owiredu form Ghana, shared how the challenge propelled their ventures forward.
Government officials Anne Nyaga, Secretary of Programs – Office of the CS and Karanja Waigi, Director of Planning – State Department of Tourism addressed the audience with passionate speaches about the potential of tourism for empowerment and job creation for youth and women, reaffirmed the Ministry’s support for the event. The day concluded with lively networking, fostering partnerships and shared commitments to advance Africa’s tourism sector.
Overall, the event showcased a united vision: channeling the passion and ingenuity of Africa’s youth to build a more vibrant, resilient tourism and hospitality industry.
