A male professional from the UAE and a female professional from a sub-Saharan African country appear to participate in a panel discussion at the UAE-Africa tourism investment summit. They AI image symbolizes business, dialogue, and collaboration between the two regions.

UAE to host first UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is set to host the inaugural UAE-Africa Tourism Investment Summit on October 27, 2025, in Dubai. The event will be held as part of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS World 2025), one of the most influential gatherings for the hospitality and investment sectors worldwide.

What to expect at the 2025 UAE-Africa tourism investment summit

According to the Ministry’s official statement, the summit aims to strengthen economic, tourism, and investment ties between the UAE and African nations, recognising the continent as one of the fastest-growing tourism markets in the world.

Over 250 high-level participants, including senior government officials, policy-makers, and private investors representing 53 African countries, will be present.

While the Ministry did not specify which country would not be represented, as Africa has 54 recognised countries, the wide-ranging participation underscores the event’s goal of creating a comprehensive platform for dialogue and collaboration.

The discussions will focus on tourism development, infrastructure investment, and collaborative opportunities that can benefit both regions.

Panels and networking sessions are expected to explore hotel and resort projects, aviation connectivity, technology integration in tourism, and sustainable travel initiatives.

A growing partnership

The UAE has long positioned itself as a global travel and investment hub, and in recent years, its engagement with Africa has intensified. Major UAE carriers like Emirates Airlines have been expanding their African networks, offering more direct flights to cities across the continent.

This increased connectivity fosters both business and leisure travel, cementing the UAE’s role as a major travel hub for African tourists and businesspeople.

However, visa restrictions and high entry requirements remain a sticking point for many African citizens, including Nigerians. While the UAE is a favoured destination for leisure and medical tourism among Africans, recurring diplomatic and visa challenges have sometimes strained relationships.

Despite these challenges, the UAE has consistently invested in African infrastructure and trade, and tourism is emerging as the next big frontier. Dubai’s success as a tourism powerhouse, welcoming over 17 million international visitors in 2023, serves as a model for African destinations seeking to grow their hospitality industries.

Opportunities for African nations

Africa’s tourism sector is rebounding after pandemic-related disruptions, with countries like Kenya, South Africa, Morocco, and Egypt experiencing strong visitor growth. At the same time, the UAE is diversifying its economy beyond oil and strengthening its role as a global tourism leader.

As a result, the summit is a strategic platform for African countries to attract foreign direct investment in tourism infrastructure, such as hotels, resorts, airports, and technology-driven travel solutions.

It also opens the door for joint ventures between African governments and UAE-based investors, particularly in luxury hospitality, cultural tourism, and eco-tourism projects.

For countries like Nigeria, which have a growing interest in outbound and inbound tourism, this summit is an opportunity to showcase local attractions and foster partnerships that can boost tourism receipts and create jobs. Improved air connectivity, shared marketing campaigns, and knowledge transfer in digital tourism technologies are also likely to be on the table.