Kenya to Host Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge from 2025

Kenya is set to strengthen its role as a leader in African tourism and innovation after being selected to host the prestigious Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS) from 2025 to 2027.

Following three highly successful editions in Namibia, the event will now move to Nairobi, marking a new chapter for this influential Pan-African forum that brings together young entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and government officials to shape the future of tourism on the continent.

AYTIS has become a pivotal platform for youth-driven innovation in Africa’s tourism sector, promoting solutions that address the industry's evolving challenges. Over the years, the summit has showcased groundbreaking ideas and technologies, setting the stage for transformation across the tourism value chain. 

As the summit transitions from Namibia, which hosted the 2024 edition in Windhoek, Kenya’s hosting marks an important shift towards a future driven by innovation and sustainability. The Windhoek event attracted over 500 delegates, including 300 entrepreneurs, further underscoring the growing influence of AYTIS in promoting youth entrepreneurship in tourism.

Namibia’s hosting from 2022 to 2024 was instrumental in highlighting the critical role of youth and innovation in driving Africa’s tourism sector forward. The summit provided a vibrant platform for collaboration among stakeholders, cementing its reputation as a catalyst for growth. With the move to Kenya, AYTIS is poised to build on this momentum, expanding its reach and impact across the continent.

AYTIS was created by Africa Tourism Partners, a leading pan-African tourism advisory firm led by Kwakye Donkor, who will continue as the convenor of the event in Kenya. With a commitment to promoting sustainable tourism development through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, Africa Tourism Partners has played a critical role in shaping the summit’s success. Under Donkor’s leadership, the 2025 edition in Nairobi is expected to attract over 800 participants, further expanding opportunities for networking, collaboration, and innovation.

Nairobi, a vibrant tourism hub and a rising center for tech innovation, is an ideal host for AYTIS as it enters its next phase. 

The event will be managed by Tourism Events Advisory and Management Services Africa (TEAMS Africa), a joint venture between Barry Clemens, Joram Mwinamo, and Håvar Bauck. The team’s vision for the summit is to unlock new possibilities for youth entrepreneurship in tourism, focusing on tech-driven, inclusive, and sustainable solutions.

Håvar Bauck, co-founder of TEAMS Africa, expressed his excitement for Nairobi’s role as the new host: “Kenya is at the forefront of tourism and tech innovation in Africa. Nairobi provides the perfect setting for young entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas and transform the industry. We are confident that the next three editions of AYTIS will inspire collaboration and growth.”

Barry Clemens echoed this sentiment: “Tourism has the potential to drive economic transformation across Africa. By hosting AYTIS, Kenya will help unlock new opportunities for youth and women, creating a more inclusive and tech-driven tourism sector.”

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge, an integral component of the summit, continues to encourage young innovators to introduce solutions that integrate technology, sustainability, and community development into tourism. During the 2024 edition in Namibia, Joseph Owiredu, a Ghanaian innovator and CEO of Fihankra ComTech Limited, won the challenge with his tech-driven personal safety solutions for the tourism industry, exemplifying the summit’s mission to empower youth in addressing Africa’s tourism challenges.

As Nairobi gears up to host AYTIS from 2025, Kenya is expected to attract a diverse array of tourism leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. The summit will serve as a major platform to push forward the agenda of digital transformation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth in Africa’s tourism industry. 

With participation anticipated to exceed 800 delegates, AYTIS promises to be a landmark event in the continent’s tourism calendar, positioning Kenya as a central player in the future of African tourism.

AYTIS has previously been hosted by Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Ghana, with key partnerships including UN Tourism and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat. 

These collaborations reflect a shared commitment to empowering Africa’s youth and fostering innovation in tourism, contributing to the continent’s broader goals of sustainable and inclusive economic growth.