Africa is often described as tourism’s next frontier, boasting vast natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and a young, increasingly connected population.
Despite this, the continent still attracts a relatively modest share of global tourists, highlighting a gap between potential and performance.
This challenge will be at the heart of the Africa Legacy Summit, scheduled for May 15–16, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Organised by Eko Hotels & Suites as part of its 50th anniversary celebrations, the summit will bring together ministers, policymakers, investors, corporate leaders, young professionals, students, and hospitality stakeholders from Africa and the Caribbean.
For two days, the Lagos waterfront will host discussions on positioning Africa’s hospitality and tourism sector more competitively in the global marketplace.
Confirmed keynote speakers include Ambassador Wallace Williams and Professor Patrick Lumumba.
The summit’s theme, “African Hospitality: Rich with Possibility, Ready for Afro Collaboration,” emphasises the importance of partnerships—between governments and investors, airlines and destinations, and culture and commerce.
Tourism is widely recognised as a pathway to economic diversification and job creation across Africa.
Key discussions will focus on addressing infrastructure gaps, fragmented visa regimes, and inconsistent branding that continue to limit tourism flows.
Practical collaboration will be explored, including strategies to attract international investment, strengthen hospitality standards, and forge stronger links between African destinations and global travel networks.
Countries such as Kenya are often highlighted as models, having developed globally recognised tourism sectors through sustained investment in conservation, hospitality training, and international marketing.
Lagos’s selection as host city underscores its growing influence.
Traditionally overshadowed by destinations like Cape Town or Marrakech, Lagos is gaining global attention through its creative industries including music, fashion, film, and cuisine which now complement traditional tourism offerings.
For Eko Hotels & Suites, the summit is both a celebration of its milestone anniversary and a statement that African hospitality is not only welcoming but increasingly competitive on the global stage.
