MICE Africa: Your Specialized Partner for Event Planning & Management Across Africa

In today’s read;

1. Ghana stirs African unity through Afro-Gastro Festival
2. Angola takes center stage at ITB Berlin 2026
3. Africa’s MICE presence pushes forward

Ghana Afro-Gastro expands, AU collaboration accelerates MICE.

Ghana is setting a remarkable stage for cultural diplomacy with its Afro-Gastro Festival.
This initiative, led by sector Minister Abla Dzifa Gomashie, aims to reforge culinary ties across Africa and its diaspora.
It serves as a vibrant platform for sharing food traditions and understanding shared heritage.
The festival highlights connections in dishes and ingredients from diverse regions, like Volta to Trinidad and Tobago.
This gathering transcends mere dining, fostering a deeper sense of continental unity.

The festival unfolds over two distinct days.
The first day dedicates itself to a cooking ceremony and a conversation about food’s role in cultural diplomacy.
The second day invites public interaction through live cooking and tasting sessions with chefs and performers.
Minister Gomashie emphasized how food bridges divides, noting one does not need to speak Spanish to enjoy Spanish food.
This approach underscores the universal language of cuisine in fostering understanding and connection.

Twelve countries and several institutions are confirmed to participate, bringing diverse culinary delegations.
Prominent chefs, including Chef Faila, will prepare signature dishes.
A special focus will be placed on jollof rice, a cornerstone of Ghana’s culinary identity, with authentic and aged versions featured.
Music and cultural performances will enrich the experience, with artists like Gyedu-Blay Ambolley and Ayigbe Edem slated to appear.
This integrated format allows visitors to observe cross-cultural exchanges firsthand between visiting and local chefs.
The event also engages hospitality training institutions and student communities, including a photography competition to document unique regional features.

Looking ahead, Minister Gomashie revealed plans for expanded collaboration with continental bodies, notably the African Union.
This signals a strategic move to accelerate MICE activities across Africa.
The Afro-Gastro Festival, as part of the broader Black Star Experience, is envisioned as a significant vehicle.
It aims to promote domestic tourism, bolster small businesses, and fortify connections between Ghana, the continent, and the diaspora.
Such initiatives underscore Africa’s potential in leveraging cultural assets for economic and social impact.

60th ITB Berlin Accelerates Angola MICE Infrastructure Investment

Angola steps onto the global stage as the official host country for ITB Berlin 2026.
This partnership marks a significant moment for the central African nation.
The agreement was formalized between Angola’s Ministry of Tourism and Messe Berlin.
This collaboration is especially notable as it coincides with the prestigious sixtieth anniversary edition of the world’s leading travel trade show.
High-level representatives signed the pivotal document, establishing the foundation for extensive preparations.
Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Angola’s Minister of Tourism, and Dirk Hoffmann, Messe Berlin’s Chief Operating Officer, confirmed this alliance.

Being the host country presents Angola with a transformative opportunity for its tourism sector.
A primary responsibility involves staging the opening gala on March 2nd.
This evening event consistently draws global media, political figures, and top industry executives.
Angola will deliver a powerful and culturally rich introduction to its identity.
This presentation will be supported by the nation’s new tourism brand, “Visit Angola – The Rhythm of Life.”
This branding aims to capture Angola’s vibrant cultural heritage, energetic people, and diverse natural beauty.
The host country status ensures this message will be amplified across all of the trade show’s considerable media channels.

The designation of Angola is particularly important given the monumental scale of ITB Berlin.
Recognized globally as the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show, it serves as a crucial B2B platform.
Its focus is on facilitating commercial transactions, strategic alliances, and investment dialogues.
Attendees are decision-makers, including tour operators, hoteliers, travel technology providers, and government tourism bodies.
This high concentration of professionals makes the host country status strategically valuable for Angola’s long-term objectives.
The 2025 show alone welcomed nearly 100,000 participants.
It featured over 5,800 exhibitors from more than 170 countries, illustrating its extensive international reach.

Hosting the sixtieth anniversary edition of ITB Berlin is expected to create a sustained positive impact on Angola’s tourism sector.
The intense focus on the country should attract significant foreign direct investment.
Global investors will be introduced to Angola’s national parks, deserts, and coastal regions.
This exposure is anticipated to encourage capital injection into essential tourism infrastructure.
These developments include new hotels, eco-lodges, and improved transportation networks.
Preparing for the event itself acts as a catalyst for domestic infrastructure refinement.
It also fosters capacity building within Angola’s Ministry of Tourism.
The benefits extend beyond external promotion, fostering enhanced internal professionalization and growth.

Angola ITB Berlin Host Boosts African MICE Profile

Angola has secured a significant position on the international stage.
It has been named an official host for ITB Berlin.
This announcement marks a pivotal moment for the nation.
It joins a select group of countries chosen to showcase their unique appeal.
This opportunity allows Angola to present its rich cultural heritage.
It will highlight its stunning natural landscapes and vibrant tourism offerings.
The world will soon see what this diverse African country has to offer.
The preparations are now actively underway for this important global event.

ITB Berlin has long stood as a cornerstone in the global travel industry.
For decades, it has served as a critical platform for tourism professionals and buyers.
A defining feature is the annual selection of a host country.
This tradition places a chosen nation at the heart of international attention.
It provides an unparalleled opportunity to elevate a country’s tourism profile.
Past hosts have effectively leveraged this spotlight to attract worldwide interest.
Angola is now set to follow this path.
It is poised to make a lasting impression on the global travel community.

For MICE Africa, Angola’s hosting role carries considerable importance.
It clearly demonstrates Africa’s expanding presence and capabilities in the global meetings and events sector.
This event offers an invaluable platform for Angola.
It allows the nation to firmly establish itself as a rising star in the tourism industry.
Angola’s diverse tourism products, from its captivating history to its natural beauty, will be prominently featured.
This presentation will provide international buyers and travel professionals with a fresh perspective.
It extends a clear invitation to explore the country’s distinct offerings.

This strategic move by Angola underscores its dedication to growing its tourism sector and strengthening its economy.
It signals a forward-thinking vision for its future engagement on the international scene.
The considerable exposure gained will undoubtedly lead to an increase in international visitors.
It will help solidify Angola’s standing in the competitive global travel market.
This moment is a powerful testament to the continent’s evolving MICE landscape.
It inspires renewed creativity and vision for Africa’s compelling congress stories.
Angola is now ready to forge its own successful chapter at ITB Berlin.

That’s it for today, thank you for reading.