By Omololu Olumuyiwa
The organisers of the Afrique Travel Industry Conference & Awards 2026 honoured Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa, Trade Relations Manager, South African Tourism, with the “Outstanding Contribution to Tourism Trade Partnerships” award in recognition of his role in strengthening cross-border collaboration and driving industry growth.
ATICA 2026 with the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Tourism Potential Through Collaboration” continues to stand out as a key platform for bringing together stakeholders across Africa’s travel and tourism ecosystem.
The conference fosters dialogue, innovation, and partnerships that drive sustainable development, making it a significant event for industry leaders, policymakers, and investors seeking to shape the future of tourism on the continent.
In his acceptance remarks, Mohammed Tanko Kwajaffa thanked the organisers for the recognition, describing the award as not only an honour but also a responsibility. He noted that it serves as a call to do more in advancing tourism trade partnerships and strengthening collaboration across markets to unlock new growth opportunities.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Organiser of the Afrique Travel Industry Conference & Awards 2026 and CEO of Emios Holidays & Logistics Ltd, Ambassador Emmanuel Ossai, emphasized the broader vision behind the event.
Ossai noted that ATICA began as a bold vision—an idea to build a platform that unites the brightest minds, leading brands, and most passionate stakeholders across Africa’s travel and tourism industry.
“ATICA is more than just an awards ceremony; it is a platform for networking, learning, and collaboration within the travel industry. We bring together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to share best practices, trends, and insights that will shape the future of travel in Africa,” Ossai said.
He further underscored the importance of collective effort in advancing the sector, adding, “Through collaboration, we can build a brighter future for tourism in Africa and showcase the richness and diversity of our continent to the world. What we need and what ATICA represents is connection, collaboration, and intentional action.”
Among the ATICA 2026 awards recipients are Country Manager, South African Airways (SAA), Mrs. Oluwakemi Leke-Bamtefa – Airline Country Manager of the Year; Managing Director/CEO, Global Links & Services Ltd, Pastor (Mrs) Chinyere Umeasiegbu – Distinguished Leader in Advancing Global Tourism Promotion; and Country Manager, Waheguru Holidays, Gaurav Aswani – B2B Travel Integration Leader Award.
The 2026 edition, held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at the Oriental Hotel, attracted participants from across Nigeria and beyond.
