Hotel Managers Conference Africa 2026 Raises the Bar for Hospitality Excellence Across the Continent

By Omololu Olumuyiwa

Hospitality leaders, hotel owners, tourism policymakers, investors, academics and industry professionals from across Africa gathered at the Lagos Continental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, for the 8th Hotel Managers Conference Africa (HMCA 2026), held from 11 to 12 July 2026, to deliberate on strategies for advancing excellence, innovation and competitiveness in Africa’s hospitality industry.

Held under the theme, “Raising the Bar: Sales, Service & Standards for a Competitive Africa,” the two-day summit reinforced its reputation as one of Africa’s foremost hospitality gatherings, providing a platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, capacity building and strategic networking aimed at strengthening the continent’s hospitality industry.

The conference attracted delegates from more than 13 countries, including hospitality executives, tourism administrators, consultants, educators, technology providers and investors, reflecting the growing continental significance of the annual event.

Participants explored practical solutions to improve service delivery, develop human capital, embrace digital innovation and position Africa as a globally competitive tourism and hospitality destination.

The conference’s keynote address, titled “The Future of African Hospitality: Competing Beyond Borders,” was delivered by Prof. Wasiu Babalola, President of the Nigerian Hotel & Catering Institute (NHCI), Senior Vice President of Continent Hotels Worldwide, Türkiye, and Professor of Hospitality and Tourism Management at Atiba University, Oyo.

In his presentation, Prof. Babalola highlighted the need for African hospitality businesses to embrace innovation, international best practices, strategic partnerships and service excellence to enhance the continent’s competitiveness in the global tourism and hospitality landscape.

In his presentation, Prof. Wasiu Babalola called on hospitality operators to move beyond traditional business approaches by embracing innovation, investing in workforce development, delivering exceptional service and aligning their operations with globally recognised standards.

He noted that although Africa boasts immense tourism potential, unlocking that potential will require consistent service quality, visionary leadership, operational efficiency and a customer-focused approach that enables the continent to compete effectively in the international hospitality marketplace.

Babalola further encouraged hotel managers to invest in technology, staff capacity and sustainable operational practices that would enhance guest satisfaction while improving profitability.

The conference featured, panel discussions, and technical sessions addressing critical issues affecting Africa’s hospitality industry.

The Founder, FunkeO Company, Funke Olusoga-Ogunlade; Keith Alvah Avedzi and Sunday Omogoye Sampson of Ebony Life Place moderated various sessions and lectures where the industry leaders also explored topics including: Sales That Convert: Winning Revenue in a competitive Market; Standards That Scale: Building Hospitality Systems That Survive Growth; Experience Economy: Lifestyles Hospitality, Restaurants & Guests Engagement; Effort is the New Black; The Business of Hospitality in Africa: Profitability, Investment & Sustainability; People, Leadership & Culture: The Real Competitive Advantage; The Future of Hospitality in Africa: Excellence, People & Purpose and Building Hospitality Leadership in Africa That Survive Growth, Change & Competition.

Among the notable speakers and panelists are Chief Executive Officer, Cavodah Hospitality, Benedicta Ogar; Lead Consultant, The ServiceCraft Company, Justina Ovat; CEO, Hospitality Business School, Dr. Eric Mekwuye; Director of Sales & Marketing, Eko Hotels & Suites, Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo; CEO, Nexus318 Hospitality, Adedayo Adesugba; Mrs. Kehinde Daniels; Head of Department, Hospitality & Tourism Management, Lagos State University of Education, Dr. Edward Akerele; Dr. Ebikabore Seimodei; Managing Director/CEO, Elomaz Hotels, Mr. Jude Nwazunku; and Sharafa Lanre Balogun.

Interactive panel sessions brought together leading hotel executives, hospitality consultants, tourism professionals and technology providers who exchanged practical experiences and practices.

One of the highlights of the opening ceremony was the goodwill message delivered by the Director-General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), Dr. Ola Awakan.

Dr. Awakan commended the organisers of the Hotel Managers Conference Africa for sustaining the conference as a credible platform for knowledge sharing, professional networking and strategic dialogue within Africa’s hospitality industry.

He urged hospitality stakeholders to continue investing in people through continuous training and capacity development while embracing global best practices that would strengthen service delivery and industry competitiveness. According to him, maintaining the highest standards of professionalism remains essential for positioning Africa as a world-class hospitality destination.

The Director-General further encouraged industry practitioners to continue showcasing the warmth, authenticity and rich cultural heritage for which Africa is globally recognised, noting that these unique attributes remain among the continent’s strongest competitive advantages in tourism.

Dr. Awakan also reaffirmed the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority’s commitment to working closely with stakeholders across the tourism and hospitality value chain to create an enabling environment that promotes: sustainable tourism development; quality hospitality services; investment promotion; destination marketing; improved industry standards; and greater competitiveness for Nigeria and Africa’s tourism sector.

His remarks received widespread commendation from participants, who described government-private sector collaboration as critical to unlocking the full potential of Africa’s tourism economy.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Convener of the Hotel Managers Conference Africa (HMCA), Olugbenga Sunday, said the 8th edition of the conference was privileged to welcome hospitality professionals, tourism stakeholders and industry leaders from more than 13 countries who had converged on Lagos to exchange ideas, share knowledge and chart a progressive course for Africa’s hospitality industry.

According to him, the 2026 conference theme, “Raising the Bar: Sales, Service & Standards for a Competitive Africa,” underscores the industry’s collective resolve to build a hospitality sector that is globally competitive, customer-centric and driven by excellence.

Over the course of the two-day conference, he noted, participants would engage in insightful discussions, learn from distinguished industry experts, explore innovative solutions and forge strategic partnerships that would advance sustainable tourism and hospitality development across Africa.

Sunday expressed appreciation to the keynote speakers, panelists, exhibitors, sponsors, partners and delegates for their invaluable support and commitment to the conference. He said their participation reflects a shared dedication to collaboration, continuous professional development and service excellence, which are essential to unlocking the immense potential of Africa’s hospitality industry and positioning the continent as a leading global tourism destination.

The conference was attended by several prominent personalities from the hospitality and tourism sectors, including: Chief Executive Officer, Ghana Tourism Authority, Marilyn Maame Efua Houadjeto; President, Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Alhaji (Dr) Aliyu Badaki; Group General Manager, Continental Hotels Nigeria, Karl Hala; District Director, Radisson Hotel Group, Ahmed Raza; Dr. Michael Pinder, General Manager, JS Signature Hotel, Port Harcourt and Lydia Akunja, Moi University, Kenya.

Throughout the conference, delegates emphasised that Africa’s hospitality industry must continue to prioritise excellence in service delivery, investment in people, digital innovation, sustainability and regional collaboration.

The exhibition segment showcased cutting-edge hospitality technologies, payment solutions, property management systems, guest experience innovations and business support services, enabling participants to interact with solution providers and explore new partnerships for business growth.

OPay – Headline Sponsor, showcasing digital payment solutions for hotels and hospitality businesses; Huawei – Hospitality technology and ICT solutions; Glocient Hospitality Solutions – Hotel technology and management solutions; TransactPay – Digital payment and financial technology services; Tojum Hospitality – Hospitality consulting and training services; Golden Hut Hospitality Solutions; CAVODAH Hospitality; Monty Suites Hotels – Hospitality and accommodation partner; Lagos Continental Hotel; JS Signature Hotel, Port Harcourt; Eko Hotels & Suites; Radisson Blu Hotel; Lagos Marriott Hotel; Sheraton Lagos Hotel; Presken Hotels; Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort; Ogeyi Place Hotels; Serene Hotels; Park Inn by Radisson Lagos Victoria Island; Elomaz Hotels and Hospitality Business School (HBS).

The exhibition floor served as one of the conference’s major attractions, allowing hotel owners, general managers, procurement executives and investors to interact directly with suppliers of: Property Management Systems (PMS); Revenue Management Systems (RMS); Hotel security technologies; Smart room automation solutions; Commercial kitchen equipment
Housekeeping products; Food and beverage supplies; Hotel furniture and interior solutions; Payment and fintech services; Hospitality consulting, training and recruitment services.

Beyond product displays, exhibitors conducted live demonstrations, introduced new technologies and engaged delegates in business-to-business meetings, creating opportunities for partnerships, procurement and knowledge exchange.

The exhibition complemented the conference’s central theme, “Raising the Bar: Sales, Service & Standards for a Competitive Africa,” by showcasing practical innovations that can improve operational efficiency, guest experience and overall competitiveness within Africa’s hospitality industry.

As HMCA 2026 concluded, participants reaffirmed their commitment to implementing the knowledge, strategies and partnerships developed during the conference. Delegates agreed that improving sales performance, raising service standards, investing in workforce development and embracing innovation would be critical to building a more resilient and globally competitive African hospitality industry.

The participation of delegates from more than 13 countries, including Ghana, Togo, Uganda, Kenya, Canada, South Africa, the Republic of Benin, and several other African and international destinations, further underscored the growing influence of the Hotel Managers Conference Africa (HMCA) as a premier continental platform for promoting hospitality excellence, fostering professional collaboration, facilitating cross-border knowledge exchange, and advancing sustainable tourism and hospitalitydevelopment across Africa.