Green Africa Secures First Aircraft, Tanzania Elevates Gastronomy, and WTM Plans 2025 Shift

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

In today’s topics;

1. Green Africa acquires first owned aircraft after aircraft loss
2. Tanzania hosts UN gastronomy forum to boost culinary tourism
3. WTM Africa 2025 unveils theme-based mini-conferences for deeper industry insight

Green Africa Airways Triumphs: First Owned Plane After Lessor Setback

Green Africa Airways just marked a definitive step forward by acquiring its first owned aircraft—an ATR 72-500, now registered as 5N-GAB.
The aircraft landed in Lagos to an enthusiastic welcome, signaling both a recovery from recent losses and an investment in the airline’s long-term strategy.
This marks a key turning point after the repossession of three leased planes, reflecting the airline’s ability to adapt and push forward in a competitive landscape.

The acquisition was financed through a naira debt facility provided by Access Bank, a clear sign of institutional trust in the airline’s future.
CEO Babawande Afolabi expressed deep appreciation to Access Bank and the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, framing this move as critical to ensuring reliable, affordable air travel across Nigeria.
The team believes this step will directly contribute to improved operational efficiency and a better passenger experience.

Since its 2021 debut, Green Africa has focused on making air travel more accessible, and this new aircraft gives their ambitions new wings.
As 5N-GAB enters into commercial service, the airline strengthens its foundation as a committed value carrier in Africa.
More than just a fleet upgrade, this milestone underlines Green Africa’s drive to offer not just flights, but dependable connections across the continent.

Tanzania Hosts UN Gastronomy Forum: Boosting African Tourism

Tanzania is taking center stage in Africa’s tourism calendar by hosting the Second Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa in Arusha from April 23–25. Organized in partnership with the UNWTO and the Basque Culinary Center, the forum puts the spotlight on food tourism as a foundation for sustainable development and inclusive economic growth across the continent.

The event brings together policymakers, chefs, tourism experts, and entrepreneurs to explore Africa’s culinary richness as a strategic advantage. Key topics include connecting gastronomy with cultural heritage, strengthening local food systems, and integrating small producers into the tourism economy. These discussions aim to elevate Africa’s global tourism profile while boosting opportunities for local communities.

From live cooking demos to case studies and panel sessions, the forum offers a dynamic platform to exchange ideas and ignite innovation. This is more than a gathering—it’s a chance to shape how African food culture contributes to stronger economies and a more competitive tourism industry.

WTM Africa 2025: Theme-Based Mini-Conferences for Tourism’s Future

WTM Africa 2025 is reshaping its approach with a new format of focused, theme-based mini-conferences set to take place in Cape Town from April 9–11, 2025. By segmenting the event into targeted content areas, the organisers aim to move away from the usual fragmented sessions and deliver a cohesive, in-depth learning experience. Over 100 experts will share insights across three stages, complemented by interactive features like the Brain Box workshop space and a Super Reality Dome.

A spotlight event will be the Africa Tourism Investment Conference on April 10th, zeroing in on economic development across the continent. That same day, the Aviation Focus session will tackle one of Africa’s persistent challenges—connectivity. Additional mini-conferences will address timely topics such as Media & Narrative, Responsible Tourism, and Inclusivity & Diversity. A “State of the Industry” panel led by Skift analysts will offer data-driven perspectives on the sector’s direction, while a Wine Tourism track will explore growth in this specialised segment.

Southern Sun Hotels joins as the official hospitality partner for the Hosted Buyer Programme, supporting stronger connections between international buyers and African industry players. With this targeted format, WTM Africa 2025 promises to deliver a more practical, insightful, and connected event experience for professionals committed to shaping the future of tourism on the continent.

Find the Perfect Venue: How Site Selection Companies Save You Time & Money

Planning a meeting or event in Africa comes with high stakes and countless decisions—venue selection being one of the most critical. Site selection companies simplify this by managing everything from research to RFPs, site visits, and contract negotiations. Surprisingly, their services often come at no cost to the event organizer, as they are compensated by the selected venue.

Industry leaders like HelmsBriscoe and ConferenceDirect bring deep expertise to the table. HelmsBriscoe handled over 41,000 meetings across 113 countries last year, while ConferenceDirect sourced venues for 13,000 events and 45,000 room nights. Their teams leverage insider hotel knowledge and collective buying power to secure optimal spaces and rates. Some, like ConferenceDirect, also offer added services like event marketing and experience design.

For African MICE professionals, these services aren’t just convenient—they’re strategic. Companies like Prestige Global Meeting Source, HPN Global, and Meeting Innovations help cut through the noise, presenting only the most relevant options. This efficiency allows organizers to focus energy on delivering impactful content, knowing the logistics are in steady hands.

That’s it for today.