Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.
In today’s topics;
- ICCA opens a skills hub in Rwanda to sharpen MICE expertise.
- Nigeria replaces visas on arrival with a streamlined e-visa system.
- Nigerian food entrepreneurs gain spotlight and funding at major culinary summit.
Rwanda’s New MICE Skills Hub: ICCA Invests in African Talent
Rwanda is now the anchor of a new MICE skills hub, launched by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).
This move signifies a strong commitment to developing professional talent within Africa’s meetings and events industry.
The hub will offer tailored training programs, practical workshops, and a wide range of resources focused on building skills across all aspects of event management.
From concept planning to event execution, professionals across the continent will gain access to tools designed to elevate their expertise.
By choosing Rwanda as the location, ICCA underscores its belief in the country’s growing role in the continental events landscape.
This initiative is about more than education—it’s about shaping Africa’s future in global MICE conversations.
Details on program content, schedules, and enrollment processes are expected to be announced soon.
Until then, the industry is watching closely, hopeful that this focused investment will strengthen networks, raise standards, and foster local leadership in MICE.
Securing Africa’s Mobile Payment Boom: KYC & AI Solutions are Key
Africa’s mobile payment industry is expanding fast, with projections showing transactions surpassing $20 billion by 2025. Growth is driven by cross-border remittances, online shopping, and mobile gaming, particularly in South Africa and Nigeria. But as digital transactions increase, so do security concerns, with cybercriminals aggressively targeting platforms and users. South Africa is already flagged as a cybercrime hotspot, and the online gaming sector faces rising fraud due to AI-powered criminal tactics.
The lack of standardized regulations and limited access to formal identification further complicate security across the continent. Millions remain outside the formal financial system, making user verification a major challenge. AI-powered Know Your Customer (KYC) technologies present a vital solution. By enabling biometric verification, real-time fraud detection, and automated compliance, these tools protect businesses and users, while helping companies align with international security standards.
For mobile gaming platforms processing high volumes of microtransactions, continuous monitoring is essential. Investing in advanced KYC systems doesn’t just reduce fraud—it also streamlines onboarding and improves user conversion. As fintech and gaming industries look to scale, strong digital identity protocols will be key to building trust, attracting investment, and ensuring long-term growth in Africa’s digital payment economy.
Nigeria’s Culinary Scene Takes Center Stage: 2025 Food Summit Report
Nigeria’s culinary future took the spotlight at the 2025 Nigeria Food Summit in Lagos, gathering chefs, entrepreneurs, and industry experts under the banner “Making Nigeria a Global Food Destination.” Collaboration, sustainability, and innovation were central themes as stakeholders tackled the structural and cultural challenges in elevating Nigerian cuisine on the world stage. Chef Gibbs urged participants to preserve heritage while evolving, calling for greater synergy between policy and practice.
Prominent names like Chef T, Hilda Baci, and Anjola Awosika offered hard-earned insights into navigating the volatile food sector, while also showcasing how food can powerfully reflect Nigerian identity. Kola Oyeneyin’s $1 million fund announcement marked a pivotal moment, offering vital financial backing to food entrepreneurs and underlining the importance of capital in scaling impact across the sector.
The summit also hosted a dynamic pitch-a-thon, where innovators presented fresh ideas, with Elizabeth Akinwole of Tblizs Foods clinching top honors. Masterclasses added depth, focusing on Nigeria’s food history, cutting-edge gastronomy, and farm-to-table techniques. With automation, sustainability, and food culture at the forefront, the summit made clear that Nigeria’s place in global gastronomy is not a question of potential, but of sustained action.
Nigeria’s New E-Visa: Faster Travel, Boosted Tourism & Trade
Nigeria is rolling out a new e-visa system, replacing the current visa-on-arrival process.
This digital visa aims to simplify entry procedures, reduce wait times, and improve international access for both tourists and business travelers.
With a QR code-based system, approved applicants will no longer face double processing on arrival, streamlining entry straight through immigration.
According to Interior Minister Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the overhaul addresses longstanding inefficiencies that deterred travel and trade.
The e-visa also integrates global security checks, balancing safety with speed, without additional cost for travelers.
Nigeria aligns itself with international standards, adopting processes already in place in countries like the UAE and Australia.
Set to launch officially in April, the e-visa will be open to all nationalities that meet security criteria.
The government ambition is clear—remove barriers, increase tourism, attract investment, and position Nigeria as a modern, connected hub for meetings, trade, and travel.
That’s it for today.