Lagos is set to become the focal point of Africa’s tourism transformation agenda as the African Travel Commission [ATC] hosts a landmark Pan-African Tourism Summit and Exhibition from February 11–12, 2026, at Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos.
The high-level continental gathering is aimed at repositioning tourism as a strategic driver of economic growth, regional integration and sustainable development across Africa.
The summit is being organised by the African Travel Commission in collaboration with the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority [NTDA] and the Economic Community of West African States [ECOWAS], with strategic partnership support from the African Development Bank Group [AfDB].
It is expected to attract policymakers, investors, development partners and industry leaders from across the continent and beyond.
Despite Africa’s vast cultural heritage, natural attractions and youthful population, tourism remains one of the continent’s most underutilised economic sectors.
Development experts note that the industry holds significant potential for job creation, foreign exchange earnings, infrastructure development and inclusive growth if properly structured and coordinated.
The ATC Tourism Summit and Exhibition is designed to move beyond rhetoric, focusing on practical and actionable strategies to unlock tourism’s full value chain.
Discussions will span transportation and hospitality, creative industries, digital innovation and community-based tourism.
Speaking ahead of the event, the Executive Director of ATC, Lucky Onoriode George, PhD, said Africa must begin to treat tourism as a serious economic industry rather than merely a leisure activity.
“Tourism is trade, tourism is infrastructure, tourism is employment. When properly structured, it becomes a powerful tool for economic diversification and regional integration,” he said.
George added that the collaboration between ATC, NTDA, ECOWAS and AfDB reflects a growing recognition that tourism development requires strong institutional coordination and aligned policy frameworks.
As host partner, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority is expected to showcase Nigeria’s renewed tourism vision, highlighting opportunities across culture, heritage, entertainment, eco-tourism and domestic travel.
For Nigeria, hosting the summit underscores Lagos’ role as a gateway city and a regional hub for business, culture and connectivity.
The involvement of ECOWAS places particular emphasis on cross-border travel facilitation, regional cooperation and intra-African mobility, especially within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area [AfCFTA].
Meanwhile, the African Development Bank Group’s strategic partnership brings investment credibility and development finance expertise, reinforcing the need for bankable tourism projects, infrastructure financing and sustainable investment models across the continent.
Held under the theme Accelerating Africa’s Tourism Growth through Innovation, Partnerships and Sustainable Investments, the summit will focus on tourism policy harmonisation and regulatory reform; financing tourism infrastructure and destinations; public–private partnerships and investment readiness; digital transformation and destination marketing; sustainable, climate-smart and community-driven tourism; and youth entrepreneurship and SME participation in tourism value chains.
