Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.
In today’s topics;
- FHS Africa 2025 brings top-tier hospitality insights to Cape Town
- Ghana Tourism Authority launches PPP Department to unite sectors
- Black Star Experience redefines Ghana’s tourism through creativity
Future Hospitality Summit Africa 2025: Top Hotel Leaders & Investment Strategies
The Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa 2025 is set to take place in Cape Town from June 17 to 19, gathering the top thinkers and players in the hospitality investment space. Previously known as AHIF, this summit focuses on real strategies that impact the African hospitality landscape, from large-scale investments to sustainable operations.
Big names will take the stage, including William E. Heinecke of Minor Hotels, Guy Hutchinson from Hilton MEA, and Haitham Mattar of IHG. They’ll be joined by leaders from Marriott, Accor, and others who will unpack how global giants are adapting their models to African realities while keeping expansion high on the agenda.
Investment is front and center, with firms like Actis and Kasada Capital Management bringing hard-won insights into navigating the continent’s complexity. CEOs from Sun International and Southern Sun will lend practical knowledge backed by their experience, especially around sustainability—the summit’s guiding principle.
Expect meaningful conversations around environmental responsibility, led by experts such as Dr. Morne du Plessis from WWF South Africa. Above all, FHS Africa 2025 is positioned as a high-level platform for building connections, testing ideas, and setting the tone for Africa’s hospitality future.
Ghana Tourism Authority’s New PPP Department: Boosting Investment & Growth
Ghana’s tourism sector is marking a new phase with the official launch of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Department by the Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA).
The move is rooted in the Tourism Act of 2011 and is aimed at building stronger bridges between the public and private sectors. By fostering better communication and shared responsibilities, the department is set to improve how tourism projects are planned, financed, and managed. Sustainability is also at the core, with an emphasis on green energy and giving back to local communities.
At the launch event in Accra, CEO Maame Efua Houadjeto outlined the department’s role in co-creating tourism experiences that reflect Ghana’s diverse culture. A highlight of this effort is the “Black Star Experience,” which will serve as a key narrative to market Ghana’s cultural wealth. Newly appointed director of the PPP Department, Jones Aruna Nelson, welcomed participation from both local and foreign investors—particularly in infrastructure, eco-tourism, and heritage-driven tourism.
The private sector, represented by the Ghana Tourism Federation, signaled strong support for the initiative. Newly appointed Director of Corporate Affairs, Bright Asempa Tsadidey, pledged to sharpen Ghana’s tourism narrative and take the country’s global image further. With the groundwork laid, the sector now looks to benefit from this fresh model of collaboration.
Ghana’s Black Star Experience: A Cultural Revolution for Tourism
Ghana is redefining its cultural and tourism strategy with the unveiling of the “Black Star Experience” at Accra’s iconic Black Star Square. More than just a tourism campaign, this initiative is a national statement of identity and pride. It’s a call to the global community to engage with Ghana not just as a destination, but as a cultural powerhouse at the heart of Africa.
Driven by a seven-pillar framework covering cinema, audio production, cuisine, fashion, aesthetics, literature, and heritage, the program looks to integrate creativity deeply into the country’s tourism model. Coordinated by Rex Owusu Marfo, the Experience will collaborate with national tourism efforts, bringing in global partnerships and introducing marquée events like the annual Black Star Week — a celebration of Ghanaian creativity with immense networking and investment potential.
Highlights of the initiative include Ananse Studio for film, Ghana Music Week, Creative Connect, and Detty December festivities. Exhibition football games and cultural showcases will also be part of the calendar, forming touchpoints for immersive visitor engagement and inspiring local artists and entrepreneurs alike.
With strong backing from Ghana’s Minister of Tourism and President Mahama, the Black Star Experience is a serious play for sustainable economic impact through the creative economy. It positions Ghana as an inviting, vibrant stage for MICE planners seeking authenticity, innovation, and the kind of cultural richness that turns events into stories.
That’s it for today.