Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.

In today’s topics;

1. Six ways to streamline your event registration
2. US tariffs shake up logistics for global event organizers
3. Fastjet adds new Harare-Lusaka route
4. Bunce Island chronicles a past that still echoes

6 Simple Steps to Effortless Event Registration: A Guide for Planners

Creating an effortless registration process is key to setting the right tone for any event in Africa’s meetings industry. A simplified registration form that only collects essential information helps attendees move quickly through the process. For return participants, auto-filled details can make it even smoother. Always focus on clarity—what you don’t ask is just as important as what you do.

Ensure your registration platform works seamlessly across all devices and operating systems. A single glitch can lead to lost attendees and a negative first impression. Keep all event details—dates, locations, dress codes, and accessibility—clearly visible. Attendees should never have to go digging for the basics. This clarity keeps confusion low and momentum high.

When it comes to on-site experience, efficient badging and a welcoming atmosphere are critical. Set up self-service kiosks and central pick-up stations to keep lines moving. Equip your entry area with lively music, refreshments, and friendly staff to create a warm first contact. Finally, collect attendee feedback post-event to identify gaps and improve. Consistent refinement will make each new registration simpler—for you and your guests.

US Tariffs on Chinese Ships: Event Industry Fights Back

New U.S. tariffs on Chinese-made ships have sparked serious alarm across the American business events industry. The tariffs, which could cost up to $1.5 million per port visit for Chinese-built vessels, are expected to raise shipping costs by at least 25%. For an industry reliant on dependable and cost-efficient logistics, this is not just a maritime issue—it’s a direct threat to operations, budgets, and global participation.

The Exhibitions and Conferences Alliance (ECA), along with six partner organizations representing over 300 entities, has submitted a formal appeal to the U.S. Trade Representative. Their message is clear: these tariffs hurt more than they help. Small businesses, already pressured by inflation and post-pandemic recovery, stand to lose the most. Organizers, exhibitors, and attendees rely on affordable shipping for displays, equipment, and products. Increased costs could lead to fewer exhibitors and lower attendee numbers, undermining the economic and networking value of events.

While the coalition acknowledges the importance of addressing China’s influence on maritime infrastructure, they argue that this approach risks weakening U.S. competitiveness. For Africa’s MICE ecosystem, heavily intertwined with global supply chains and international trade shows, the ripple effects could reduce collaboration, limit access, and raise participation costs. As the industry watches for USTR’s next move, stakeholders face a growing need to recalibrate logistics strategies amidst rising uncertainty.

Fastjet Launches Harare-Lusaka Flights: Three Weekly Services

Fastjet Zimbabwe has introduced a new direct flight route between Harare and Lusaka, set to begin operations on April 9th. The service will run three times a week — Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays — helping create smoother travel plans for MICE professionals organizing events in Zimbabwe and Zambia. Flights depart Harare at 6:00 AM and arrive in Lusaka by 6:55 AM, with the return leg taking off at 7:25 AM from Lusaka and landing in Harare at 8:20 AM.

This early morning scheduling is tailored for business travelers, allowing a full working day in either city. The aircraft used, a 50-seater Embraer ERJ145, adds a level of comfort and efficiency suited to corporate and event-related travel. For planners juggling tight schedules and coordination across borders, this timing is an advantage that simplifies logistics and reduces stress.

With this addition to its network, Fastjet reinforces its presence in the regional aviation space, complementing existing routes to Bulawayo and Johannesburg. For MICE organizers, this means greater flexibility and reliable connectivity between key business cities — a factor worth weighing when scouting event locations or negotiating travel partnerships.

Bunce Island: Sierra Leone’s Haunting Past, Powerful Present

Bunce Island, sitting quietly off the coast of Sierra Leone, carries the weight of centuries.
Once a key node in the transatlantic slave trade, it operated under British control from 1670 to 1808.
Tens of thousands of Africans, many skilled in rice farming, were forced from Bunce to the American South.
Their labor shaped not just agriculture but forged an enduring and painful legacy.

Connections run deep between Bunce Island and influential figures of that time.
Richard Oswald managed the post, aligning closely with Henry Laurens, a South Carolina planter tied directly to the slave trade.
Their coordinated efforts fed the triangle of commerce between West Africa, America, and London.
Even during the American Revolution, Bunce Island was not spared—French forces attacked in 1779 due to its economic role.

Today, the island lies overgrown, its ruins silent but speaking volumes.
Crumbling prisons, watchtowers, and cannon bases still mark the passage of lives stolen and sold.
Though abandoned after abolition, Bunce remains one of Africa’s most vital monuments to its enslaved past.
It is a place of reflection—a reminder of the stories buried in silence, asking not to be forgotten.

That’s it for today.