Ghanaian innovator Joseph Owiredu wins Best Young Innovator Award at 7th Africa Tourism Leadership forum

Joseph Owiredu, a young Ghanaian entrepreneur, took home the Best Young Innovator Award at the 7th Africa Tourism Leadership Forum (ATLF) and Awards, held last Friday at the Gaborone International Convention Centre.

The forum, which ran from September 3rd to 6th, 2024, marks the third consecutive year that Botswana has hosted this prestigious event.

Owiredu, the CEO of Fihankra ComTech Limited—a start-up that specializes in developing personal safety and security innovations for Africa’s tourism industry—was selected from a pool of over 154 entries submitted to the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge. His project, which focuses on enhancing safety in tourism through innovative tech solutions, earned him the top spot after presenting his demo to the adjudication committee.

Rosalia Haufiku Laudika, a student from Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), claimed second place, while Ajena Jafar, Founder & CEO of Tour Plug from Uganda, finished third. 

The challenge provides young African innovators and entrepreneurs in the travel and tourism sectors a platform to showcase their ideas to global investors, partners, and mentors, offering invaluable opportunities for funding and collaboration.

Joseph Owiredu had been shortlisted as one of the three runners up, along with Laudika and Jafar, following the 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit, held in May 2024 in Windhoek, Namibia. Unfortunately, due to last-minute obstacles, he was unable to attend the awards ceremony in Botswana. His award was received on his behalf by Francis Doku, Media Executive and COO of Digital Plugin Limited, a Ghana-based media and digital company. 

Owiredu, has expressed his gratitude, saying, "This recognition highlights the immense potential for technology to redefine safety standards in African tourism. I am grateful for the opportunity to showcase Fihankra ComTech's work."

The 2024 edition of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, began with the call for entries in November 2023 and closed in March 2024. It received entries from various African countries, including Angola, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. 

Previous winners of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, such as Rwanda’s Aline Murekatete (2020), Ghana’s Eugene Allotey (2021), South Africa’s Scott Blount (2022), and Kenya’s Gloria Kisilu have gone on to receive international attention following their wins. 

The 7th ATLF and Awards, organized in collaboration with the Botswana Tourism Organisation, Africa Tourism Partners, and the United Nations World Tourism Organisation, was a platform for industry leaders to chart a path forward for tourism in Africa. Themed "Charting a New Path Forward for Intra-Africa Travel, Tourism, and Investments," the forum gathered key players from Africa’s travel, tourism, hospitality, and aviation sectors. Botswana’s Vice President and Acting President, Slumber Tsogwane, officially opened the forum, emphasizing the critical role of tourism in driving economic diversification and growth across the continent.

The awards ceremony, which served as the climax of the forum, honoured individuals and organizations excelling in categories such as innovation, sustainability, and leadership. The event has become a beacon for showcasing African talent and driving tourism forward through collaboration, innovation, and private-sector-led growth.