After a short hiatus in 2025, the Africa Tourism Leadership Forum 2026 is making a highly anticipated return this year, with organisers promising one of the strongest editions yet as Africa’s tourism leaders gather to shape the future of intra-African travel, tourism investment and business events growth.
The Forum was officially launched last week in Polokwane at Meropa Casino by the Limpopo Provincial Government, through the Limpopo Tourism Agency, in partnership with Africa Tourism Partners.
Scheduled for 2 to 4 September 2026, the eighth edition of ATLF is expected to attract approximately 750 delegates from 60 countries, including ministers, policymakers, destination executives, investors, airlines, hospitality leaders, MICE professionals, development agencies and media from across the continent and beyond.
Limpopo Positions Itself as a Tourism and Business Events Hub
Speaking at the launch, Tshitereke Matibe said Limpopo was determined to become South Africa’s leading tourism destination.
“Limpopo is no longer content with second place,” he said, noting that while the province currently ranks second nationally in tourism performance, it effectively leads among South Africa’s inland destinations.
Matibe said hosting ATLF 2026 aligns with the province’s broader strategy to strengthen tourism infrastructure, improve air connectivity and use tourism as a catalyst for inclusive economic growth and job creation.
The MEC added that the Forum would also reinforce Limpopo’s positioning as an emerging business events and conferencing destination within Southern Africa.
Strong Speaker Programme Anchored Around Africa’s Tourism Future
This year’s edition will feature an impressive speaker programme bringing together leaders from government, tourism boards, academia, finance, business events and continental institutions.
Among the confirmed speakers are Elcia Grandcourt, Director, Africa Department, UN Tourism, Spain, Emily Mburu-Ndoria, Director, Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights and Digital Trade AFCFTA Secretariat and Dr Rob Davidson, Managing Director, MICE Knowledge, UK who are expected to provide strategic insights into Africa’s tourism growth trajectory, intra-African trade and the future of the business events sector.
The Forum will also feature prominent tourism and business leaders including Sebulon Chiliho Chicalu, CEO, Namibia Tourism Board, Namibia, Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa, CEO – Tourism Business Council of South Africa, Miller Matola, CEO, Millvest Advisory, South Africa, Kwakye Donkor, CEO, Africa Tourism Partners, South Africa and Christelle Grohmann, Director, BDO, South Africa.
Academic and thought leadership perspectives will come from Prof Michael Twum-Darko, Founder and Head of Centre for Business Innovation and Incubation, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, South Africa and Prof Nellie Swart, Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) & Associate Professor: Tourism Management, University Of South Africa.
Other confirmed speakers include Dr Phophi Constance Ramathuba, Member of the Limpopo Provincial Legislature, Hon Tshitereke Matibe, MEC — Limpopo Economic Development & Tourism, South Africa, Safiyya Akoojee, Director of Fortunatus Advisory LLC and Akwasi Obeng Adjei, Director of Audit: Wealth, Investment Management and Insurance, Absa Group, South Africa.
A Platform That Continues to Grow
Speaking during the launch, Kwakye Donkor praised Limpopo for stepping forward to host the Forum.
He described the province’s decision as “timely and strategic”, adding that it reflects growing confidence among African destinations to host continental platforms that influence tourism leadership, policy and investment.
Since its founding in Accra in 2018, ATLF has evolved into one of Africa’s most influential tourism leadership and networking platforms.
Previous editions have been hosted in Durban, Kigali and Gaborone, with participation growing steadily over the years.
Organisers noted that the 2024 edition attracted nearly 800 in-person delegates and more than 2,000 virtual participants from 95 countries, underlining the Forum’s growing continental and global relevance.
Encouraging Early Registration
With interest already building following the Polokwane launch, organisers are encouraging tourism professionals, investors, buyers, destination marketers, students and policymakers to register early.
As Africa increasingly positions tourism as a key driver of economic diversification, intra-African trade and investment, ATLF 2026 is expected to provide an important platform for shaping the next chapter of the continent’s tourism economy.
More information and registration details are available at:
Africa Tourism Leadership Forum 2026 Registration
