VENUE: MEROPA CASINO AND ENTERTAINMENT WORLD

Masterclasses: MICE, Tourism and Hospitality

• MICE Masterclass
• Quality Assurance and Grading Masterclass

Presented by:

• South African Tourism
• Southern Africa Association of Conference Industries
• Africa Tourism Partners

• Limpopo Tourism Agency
• Africa Tourism Partners
• Africa Tourism Private Sector Alliance / AfCFTA Secretariat

PAN-AFRICAN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM INVESTMENT CEOS & EXECUTIVES’ INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE

VENUE: PARK INN BY RADISSON, POLOKWANE CITY

Presented By:

• Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
• Africa Tourism Partners
• BDO South Africa

• Registration and Accreditation of Delegates
• Welcome Refreshment

OPENING SESSION

Introduction and Welcome Message

Keynote Address

Programme Director:

• Naledi Moleo – News Anchor, ENCA and International Media Personality, South Africa

Keynote Address:

• Dr. Matodzi Rathumbu – Head of the Department (HOD), Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Department, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Meetings Incentives Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Masterclass – The Experts’ Insights

Topic: Demonstrating the economic significance and value of the global MICE industry for scalable tourism and hospitality enterprises – Africa and Non-African perspectives

Programme Director:

• Naledi Moleo – News Anchor, ENCA and International Media Personality, South Africa

Moderator:

• Gerrit Davids – Lead Advisor, TaranisCo Advisor, South Africa

Scene Setting:

• Adele Hartdegen – CEO, Johannesburg Expo Centre and GL Events, South Africa
• Dr. Dušan Borovčanin – Former CEO, EXPO 2027 Belgrade and Serbia Convention Bureau, Serbia

Panellists:

• Adele Hartdegen – CEO, Johannesburg Expo Centre and GL Events, South Africa
• Dr. Dušan Borovčanin – Former CEO, EXPO 2027 Belgrade and Serbia Convention Bureau, Serbia
• Corne Koch – Chief Convention Bureau Officer, South Africa Tourism
• Inga Mtolo – Senior Consultant Strategic Development and Advisory, BDO, South Africa

Masterclass by Tourism Grading Council of South Africa

Topic: Why Get Graded – The significance of star grading, basic quality verification, and quality assurance in African tourism accommodation and facilities

VENUE: MEROPA CASINO AND ENTERTAINMENT WORLD

• Bronwen Auret – Chief Quality Assurance Officer (CQAO), South African Tourism

CLOSED SESSION — INTRA-AFRICA TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY INVESTMENT ROUNDTABLE & DIALOGUE (BY INVITATION ONLY)

VENUE: PARK INN BY RADISSON, POLOKWANE CITY

9h00 – 16h00

Investing in Africa’s Tourism and Hospitality: Redefining Africa’s Investment Trajectory

This closed session brings together key project promoters, tourism investment advisory firms, funders and investors to explore capital raising, financing mechanisms, and investment readiness in Africa’s tourism sector. Expected outcomes include strengthened investor-developer linkages, clearer financing pathways, advocacy for the inclusion of tourism investment and actionable insights for structuring bankable tourism projects.

Market Intelligence Talk: Global Travel Data Trends and Insights: A catalyst for attracting investors to hotel and tourism infrastructure in Africa.

Understanding IDC’s Hospitality and Tourism Investment and Funding Opportunities in Africa and Rest of Africa

“Investable” Limpopo – Insights into Key Hospitality and Tourism Investment Opportunities in Limpopo Province, South Africa

Moderators:

• Lee-Anne Bac – Partner and Director, BDO South Africa
• Kwakye Donkor – CEO, Africa Tourism Partners

Scene Setting:

• Olivier Ponti – Director of Market Intelligence & Insights, Amadeus, Spain
• Katlego Mphahlele – Senior Deal Maker, Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa
• Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism, Limpopo Province, South Africa

Lead Discussions and Experts Insights:

• Hon Dr. Zamani Saul – Premier, Northern Cape Province, South Africa
• Mokwena Morulane – Managing Director, Cresta Marakanelo Limited, Botswana
• Katlego Mphahlele – Senior Deal Maker, Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa
• Alex Ntiyiso Mabunda – Group Chief Executive Officer at Ntiyiso, South Africa
• Hamza Farooqui – Chief Executive Officer, Millat Investments, South Africa
• JS Anand – Founder & CEO, Leva Hotels and Resorts, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Mark Jakins – Managing Partner, Innsight Advisory, South Africa
• Nils Heckscher – Managing Director, PKF Hospitality, Head of Africa & Middle East, South Africa
• Fadhil Waziri Kindamba – Manager, Finance and Resource Mobilization, Presidential Delivery Bureau (PDB), Zanzibar
• Monnie Mongwe – Absa Regional Head: SME GP & Limpopo, South Africa
• Akwasi Obeng-Adjei – Risk Executive, Business Bank, Absa Group Ltd, South Africa
• Siyabonga Mkhwanazi – Tourism Fund Manager, SEDFA, South Africa
• Nkosinatho Dlamini – Acting Regional Manager, Gauteng, SEDFA South Africa
• Lovemore Chibaya – Executive Investment and Financial Structuring, National Agency for Tourism Development and Investment, Mozambique
• Caiphus Shilenge – Executive: Banking Solutions, Absa Group Limited, South Africa

Unlocking Tourism & Hospitality-Led Investment Opportunities in Africa through SEZs

This session explores successful Special Economic Zone models from across Africa and the lessons they offer for strengthening tourism-led investment, infrastructure development, and regional competitiveness in Limpopo. Through expert insights and practical case studies, the discussion will examine how tourism can be strategically integrated into SEZ planning to unlock investment opportunities, enhance destination development, and accelerate sustainable economic growth.

Global and African Best Practice in SEZ Investment: Lessons for Special Tourism Economic Zones in Africa.

Unpacking Tourism Investment Opportunities: The case of Limpopo Province’s Special Economic Zones.

Moderators:

• Kwakye Donkor – CEO, Africa Tourism Partners
• Lee-Ann Bac – Partner & Director, BDO South Africa

Scene setting:

• Dr. Richmond Kwame Frimpong – Co-Chair of the African Economic Zones Chamber, Ghana
• Jason Ngobeni – GCEO, Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), South Africa

Lead Discussions and SEZ Investment Experts Dialogue:

• Hon. Ms. Venus Blennies-Magage – MEC, Finance, Northern Cape, South Africa
• Hon. Dr. Tshitereke Baldwin Matibe – Limpopo Economic Development, Environment and Tourism Department, South Africa
• Jason Ngobeni – GCEO, Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA), South Africa
• Dr. Richmond Kwame Frimpong – Co-Chair of the African Economic Zones Chamber, Ghana
• Katlego Mphahlele – Senior Deal Maker, Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa
• Ambassador Albertus Aochamub – Interim CEO, Meat Corporation of Namibia, Namibia
• Lovemore Chibaya – Executive Investment and Financial Structuring, National Agency for Tourism Development and Investment, Mozambique
• Kossi Toulassi – Head of Industrialisation, Economic Analysis & Foresights, Trade and Market, AUDA-NEPAD, South Africa
• Gillian Saunders – Tourism and Hospitality Consultant, South Africa
• Kenny Hlela – Independent Destination and Investment Consultant, South Africa

The Business of Tourism and Conservation – Leveraging Biodiversity and Conservation for Sustainable Tourism Investment Growth

This session examines how biodiversity, wildlife conservation, and Transfrontier conservation areas can drive sustainable tourism development, community impact, and destination competitiveness. Using Limpopo as a case study, the discussion will highlight opportunities in eco-tourism, conservation partnerships, and nature-based tourism investment.

Moderator:

• Kwakye Donkor – CEO, Africa Tourism Partners
• Lee-Ann Bac – Partner & Director, BDO South Africa

Scene Setting:

• The Case of Botswana – Justice Ofentse – Acting Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO)
• The Case of South Africa National Parks – Christelle Grohmann – Partner and Director, BDO, South Africa

Lead Discussion and Destinations Insights:

• June Chepkemei – Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Tourism Board
• Christelle Grohmann – Partner and Director, BDO, South Africa
• Ben Anane Nsiah – Deputy CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority
• Tinyiko Malungani – Chief Director Biodiversity and Conservation, LEDET, South Africa
• Dr George Wambura – Lead wildlife economy, SADC Secretariat, Botswana
• Justice Ofentse – Acting Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO)
• Richard Vigne – Executive Director, School of the Wildlife Conservation at ALU, CEO and Founder of Ol Peteja Conservancy, Kenya
• Moss Mosepi – Director, National Office of Tourism, DRC
• Chimbidzikai Mapfumo – Programs Officer and Intangible Cultural Heritage Facilitator, UNESCO, Zimbabwe

14h00 – 16h00: AFRICA CONNECTS™ B2B OPEN SESSION

LTA AND ATPSA/AFCFTA DESTINATION B2B SESSION

This interactive session showcases African destinations while facilitating direct business engagements. Expected outcomes include new partnerships, destination marketing exposure, and increased intra-African trade connections.

OPENING CEREMONY & PLENARY SESSIONS — FOR ALL REGISTERED DELEGATES

THURSDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2026

VENUE: MEROPA CASINO & ENTERTAINMENT WORLD, POLOKWANE CITY

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR: NALEDI MOLEO – News Anchor, ENCA & International Media Personality

• AV & Technical Team

Welcome Messages

• Message from the City of Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa
• Message by Limpopo Tourism Agency
• Message by Africa Tourism Partners
• Solidarity Messages from:
  • Tourism Business Council of South Africa
  • International Congress and Convention Association, Netherlands
  • Southern Africa Association of Conference Industries
• Keynote Messages by:
  • Minister of Tourism, South Africa
  • Secretary-General, AfCFTA Secretariat

• Cllr. Makoro John Mpe – Mayor, City of Polokwane, Limpopo Province
• Dr. Freddy Percy Greaver – Board Chairperson, Limpopo Tourism Agency (LTA)
• Kwakye Donkor – CEO, Africa Tourism Partners
• Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa – CEO, Tourism Business Council of South Africa
• Glenton De Kock – CEO, Southern Africa Association of Conference Industries
• Hon. Patricia De Lille – Minister of Tourism, South Africa
• Wamkele Keabetswe Mene – Secretary-General, African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), Ghana

• Hon. Dr Tshitereke Baldwin Matibe – MEC, LEDET, South Africa

• H.E. Shaikha Al Nowais – Secretary-General, UN Tourism, Spain

• Hon. Dr. Phophi Ramathuba – Premier, Limpopo Province

Scene Setting

Utilizing Big Data as a Strategic Asset to Enhance Tourism Demand.

• Olivier Ponti – Director of Market Intelligence & Insights, Amadeus, Spain

Ministerial and Executives Insights into Regional Outlook and Global Dynamics

AfCFTA Forum on Tourism, Creatives and Cultural Industries: Key trends influencing Africa’s tourism and creative sectors within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

This session examines significant trends influencing Africa’s tourism and creative sectors within the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. It evaluates how entrepreneurs and industry leaders can utilize culture, heritage, and creative industries to generate commercial value from the expansion of intra-African travel, trade, and markets. Attendees will gain strategies to enhance the competitiveness of their businesses and organizations, as well as to advance regional trade and collaboration.

Moderator:

• Kagiso Bapela – Head: Services Strategic Business Unit, Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa

Panellists:

• Emily Mburu-Ndoria – Director, Trade in Services, Investment, Intellectual Property Rights & Digital Trade (DTIID), AfCFTA Secretariat, Ghana
• Hon. Barbara Rwodzi – Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Zimbabwe
• Hon. Indileni Daniel – Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Namibia
• Joel ‘Kachi Benson – Emmy Award, Outstanding Arts & Culture Documentary, Nigeria
• Hon. Susan Nakawuki Nsaambu – Minister of State for Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities, Uganda

Reinventing Thought-Leadership: Rooted in Heritage, Culture and Creative Industries — AfCFTA Perspective

Understanding how tourism businesses and brands can leverage Africa’s soft power to shape strategy, destination brand identity, and market influence.

This session explores how heritage, culture, festivals, music, fashion and creative industries can be commercialised and positioned as strategic tourism assets to strengthen destination identity, drive tourism demand, and unlock new economic opportunities. The discussion will highlight how African destinations can leverage their cultural soft power to enhance competitiveness, attract investment, and grow sustainable tourism and creative economies.

Moderator:

• Dr. Dušan Borovčanin – Former CEO, EXPO 2027 Belgrade and Serbia Convention Bureau, Serbia

Panellists:

• Hon. Funani Jerry Maseko – MEC, Limpopo Department of Sport, Arts and Culture
• Hon. Didier Mazenga Mukanzu – Minister of Tourism, DR Congo
• Daro Umaigba – Award-winning filmmaker, photographer and storyteller, Nigeria
• JudySheila N. Mugo – Director of Content, Pulse East Africa
• Obinna Emelike – Assistant Editor, Business Day CNN Multi Choice, Nigeria
• Naomie Boketa – Project Manager, Expertise France, Ghana

Business Leaders’ Dialogue

Rethinking Policy for Air Access growth & Aviation protectionism: Air access and Aviation reforms to boost MICE growth and address missed aviation policy opportunities limiting Africa’s tourism potential.

This session explores key reforms to improve air access across Africa, enhance travel facilitation, and unlock tourism and business travel (MICE) opportunities. It also examines the impact of aviation protectionism on connectivity and tourism growth, highlighting missed policy opportunities and pathways for more inclusive and sustainable sector development.

Status on Aviation in African-Indian Ocean (AFI) Region – Opportunities and potential traffic/tourism stimuli.

Scene Setting:

• Elcia Grandcourt – Director, Africa Department, UN Tourism

Moderator:

• Somas Appavou – Regional Director External Affairs Africa, DDG AME Regional External Affairs

Panellists:

• Tebogo Tsimane – Chief Commercial Officer, South African Airways (SAA)
• Abigail Shansonga – Acting CEO, Zambia Tourism
• Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa – Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)
• Bronwen Auret – Chief Quality Assurance Officer (CQAO), South Africa
• Aaron Munetsi – CEO, Airlines Association of Southern Africa

Fire Chat

Real-time datasets: A significant opportunity for actionable pricing, targeting, and operational strategies for DMOs, investors and tourism accommodation owners.

AI & The Exponential Shift: The strategic imperatives of technological acceleration in shaping the growth trajectory of tourism businesses and destination arrivals.

This session explores how AI and emerging technologies are transforming tourism businesses and destination competitiveness. It will highlight the strategic imperatives of technological acceleration in shaping the growth trajectory of tourism businesses and destination arrivals.

Scene-Setter:

• Diego Rodriguez Royo – Co-Founder and CEO, Passporter, Spain

Interviewer:

• Nils Heckscher – Managing Director, PKF Hospitality, Head of Africa & Middle East

Interviewees:

• Diego Rodriguez Royo – Co-Founder and CEO, Passporter, Spain
• Prof. Kobby Mensah – CEO, Ghana Tourism Development Company

• Keleabetswe (Kele) Tlouane – Deputy Director-General (DDG), LEDET, South Africa
• Nomasonto Ndlovu – Founder and CEO, Beacon Africa Tourism Consultancy, South Africa

INDUSTRY DEEP DIVES & CLOSING

FRIDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2026

VENUE: MEROPA CASINO & ENTERTAINMENT WORLD

PROGRAMME DIRECTOR: NALEDI MOLEO – News Anchor, ENCA & International Media Personality

Collaborative Leadership Insights

Public-Private-Community (PPCPs) Collaboration and Emerging Tourism Markets: A legacy for leadership in addressing industry challenges and unlocking opportunities.

This session explores how strengthened public-private-community partnerships can address industry challenges while unlocking new growth opportunities. It will examine the rise of emerging tourism markets and strategies to reduce reliance on traditional source markets, driving year-round demand, diversification, and resilience in the sector.

Moderator:

• Safiyya Akoojee – Director, Fortunatus, Dubai

Panellists:

• Hon. Ms. Venus Blennies-Magage – Member of the Executive Council, Finance, Northern Cape, South Africa
• Scott Lovett – Partner, Advisory Project & Infrastructure Advisory, BDO Australia
• Sebulon Chicalu – CEO, Namibia Tourism Board, Namibia
• Nicanor Sabula – CEO, Association of Eastern and Southern Africa Travel Agents (AESATA), Kenya
• Nils Heckscher – Managing Director, PKF Hospitality, Head of Africa & Middle East, South Africa

Thought-Leadership Conversation

Sustainable Conservation and Wildlife Management: Strategic assets to unlocking the real value of Africa’s tourism future through sustainability and social impact.

This session highlights the role of sustainable conservation and wildlife management as key drivers of Africa’s tourism value – with Limpopo and SANParks as case studies. It will explore how aligning environmental protection with social impact can unlock long-term growth and resilience in the sector.

Scene Setting / Moderator:

• Dr. Shatha Al Kaud – Founder and CEO, Emportality Consultancy, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates

Panellists:

• Ben-Anane Nsiah – Deputy CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority
• Margaret Gustavo – CEO, Namibia Wildlife Resorts (NWR)
• Justice Ofentse – Acting Chief Executive Officer, Botswana Tourism Organization (BTO)
• Dr George Wambura – Lead Wildlife Economy, SADC Secretariat, Botswana

Mainstreaming Inclusivity and Diversity: A Purpose-Driven Approach to enhancing the profitability of African tourism and hospitality businesses in local municipalities.

This session explores how inclusive and diverse business models can improve competitiveness, profitability, and sustainable growth within Africa’s tourism and hospitality sector. The discussion will focus on strengthening the participation of youth, women, local enterprises, and municipalities across the tourism value chain while promoting greater economic inclusion and business resilience.

Moderator:

• Hafsa H. Mbamba – Tourism Delivery Manager, Zanzibar

Panellists:

• Mokwena Morulane – Managing Director, Cresta Marakanelo Limited, Botswana
• Christelle Grohmann – Partner and Director, BDO South Africa
• Akwasi Obeng-Adjei – Executive, Business Bank, Absa Group Ltd, South Africa
• Oupa Pilane – Co-Founder and Director, Graskop Gorge Lift Company, South Africa

Traditional Tourism Accommodation and Short-Term Rentals

Tourism business opportunity for local hospitality and local community tourism investors.

Moderator:

• Lee-Ann Bac – Partner & Director, BDO South Africa

Panellists:

• Charles Kachelenga – Chief Tourism Officer, Malawi
• Austin Hickey – Tourism Lead, BDO Ireland
• Zaim Muhammad – Managing Director, Redberry Travel & Tourism Consultant, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Gillian Saunders – Tourism and Hospitality Consultant, South Africa

Accelerating Youth and Women Empowerment: Best practices for advancing financial inclusion of youth and women in travel, tourism, and hospitality through targeted enterprise development support.

This session examines strategies to promote financial inclusion and enterprise development for youth- and women-led businesses in tourism, travel, hospitality and economic participation across the tourism value chain, emphasizing their role as key drivers of sector growth.

Moderator:

• Keleabetswe Tlouane – Deputy Director-General (DDG), Limpopo Department of Economic Development, Environment

Panellists:

• Nyiko Maluleke – Secretary of Limpopo Youth in Tourism (LimYiT), South Africa
• Octavius Maketo – Ubuntu Aquatics CC, Namibia
• Devota Mdachi – Director, Africa Tourism Partners, Tanzania, East Africa
• Allícia Santos – Director-General, Angolan Tourism Promotion Institute, Angola
• Winnet Muchanyuka – Former CEO, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Aviation Professional

Crisis and Resilience Preparedness: Developing a crisis-ready tourism and hospitality sector in Africa to improve responsiveness and facilitate rapid recovery.

This session focuses on building a crisis-ready (climate change, geo-political tensions, wars and health pandemics) tourism sector by strengthening preparedness, response and recovery strategies to support long-term resilience, with practical lessons from African and global examples.

Moderator and Scene Setting:

• Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa – Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA)

Panellists:

• JS Anand – Founder & CEO, Leva Hotels and Resorts, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
• Deborah Claire O’Connor – Associate Director Sustainability, BDO South Africa
• June Chepkemei – Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Tourism Board
• Katlego Mphahlele – Senior Deal Maker, Industrial Development Corporation, South Africa
• Monnie Mongwe – Absa Regional Head: SME GP & Limpopo, South Africa

Optimising Tourism Route Development: A structured approach to addressing the effects of changing global tourism demand in Africa.

This session examines structured strategies and the importance of route development to diversify tourism offerings, reduce the impact of shifting global demand, and support destination branding and marketing.

Moderator:

• Martha Sidebi – General Manager, Khoroni Casino Convention Resort, South Africa

Panellists:

• Lovemore Chibaya – Executive Investment and Financial Structuring, National Agency for Tourism Development and Investment, Mozambique
• Moses Ngobeni – CEO, Limpopo Tourism Agency
• Givemore Chidzidzi – Former COO, Zimbabwe Tourism Authority and Tourism Expert
• Jonathan Denga – Acting CEO of the Northwest Parks & Tourism Board (NWPTB), South Africa
• Lemmy Mdluli – Acting Chief Executive Officer, Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Board, South Africa

• Lee-Anne Bac – Director and Partner, BDO South Africa
• Christelle Grohmann – Director and Partner, BDO South Africa