Explore Africa 2026: From momentum to measured growth

As the new year begins, there is merit in briefly looking back at how late 2025 confirmed West Africa’s emergence as the cultural tourism capital of the continent. 

What has become popularly known as Detty December is no longer the product of ad-hoc scheduling, but an evolving multi-city, multi-country phenomenon.

Flights between Accra and Lagos remain lively throughout December, while Dakar, Abidjan, Freetown, Cotonou and other capitals are building their own festival seasons, heritage tours and cultural circuits into recognised tourism products.

In Accra, December in GH blended fashion, theatre, gastronomy, heritage and contemporary music into a cohesive annual experience that drew local and diaspora guests alike.

In Nigeria, the festive season continued to illuminate Lagos as a hub of urban culture, nightlife and music tourism that stretches beyond national borders. 

Across the Gulf of Guinea, these experiences are becoming synonymous with growth in intra-African travel and regional creative exchange.

Yet, as important as these seasonal highlights are, they are not the main story.

The challenge for 2026 and beyond lies in converting these successes into structured economic impact that supports jobs, investment and year-round demand.

Africa’s tourism recovery did not just continue in 2025 — it accelerated. According to UN Tourism data, international tourist arrivals across the continent rose by around 10 per cent between January and September 2025, the highest growth rate of any global region in that period, with North Africa up about 11 per cent and Sub-Saharan Africa recording a roughly 10 per cent rise.

This performance outpaced the global average growth of around five per cent and highlights Africa’s resilience and appeal in a context of inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainties.

These trends build on strong foundations. As of 2024, Africa welcomed an estimated 74 million international visitors, a seven per cent increase over pre-pandemic 2019 levels and 12 per cent higher than in 2023.

While more recent final UN Tourism statistics for the full year 2025 will arrive later this month, the trajectory suggests continued expansion not only in arrivals but also in visitor spending and business travel.

Tourism’s contribution to Africa’s economy remains significant.

Industry estimates project that the sector could grow its share of GDP substantially in the coming decade, potentially contributing over 10 per cent of continental economic output by 2030 and creating millions of jobs, particularly for women and young people.

MICE 

In 2026, MICE tourism (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) is set to become an even more critical driver of both arrivals and business confidence.

African cities are increasingly investing in convention centres, exhibition halls and destination management capacity in order to attract international gatherings, corporate meetings and large-scale industry events.

MICE tourism is not just about rooms filled for a few days. Delegates spend more on average than leisure travellers, stay longer and fuel demand for restaurants, transport, entertainment and local SMEs.

Global industry forecasts suggest MICE will remain a high-value segment in the coming decade, providing a strategic counterweight to seasonal leisure markets.

This is already evident in the hotel investment pipeline across major MICE cities. International hotel groups such as Hilton and Marriott are expanding aggressively in Africa, planning hundreds of new properties in markets including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, Angola and Benin to capitalise on rising business travel and tourism demand. 

Investment and Infrastructure

Tourism’s ability to deliver economic dividends depends on infrastructure. Roads to attractions, reliable utilities, digital connectivity, safety systems and destination planning are the unglamorous necessities that determine whether a traveller’s experience is seamless or fragmented.

Investment interest in tourism infrastructure is growing, with development finance institutions and private investors targeting hotels, mixed-use tourism developments and cultural precincts.

The challenge, however, remains policy clarity and governance.

Countries that streamline processes for investment, strengthen regulatory transparency and protect local communities will be disproportionately attractive to capital.

In addition, targeted investment in sustainable tourism infrastructure — from eco-lodges near sensitive ecosystems to urban lodging in cultural districts — is likely to become a defining trend in 2026 and beyond, especially as climate resilience and responsible tourism rise up industry agendas.

Airlines and connectivity

Tourism cannot thrive without connectivity. Despite Africa’s rich natural and cultural assets, intra-African travel remains expensive and logistically complicated compared with other regions.

The Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM) holds promise, but its implementation has been uneven.

In 2025, growth in international air traffic continued and Africa’s role in that expansion remained visible.

New routes, expanded capacities and improved partnerships between African carriers and global airlines have begun to chip away at some barriers.

However, the continent still needs more transparent air service agreements, cost-reducing initiatives and open skies frameworks if it hopes to match the soaring demand on its own terms.

Visa reform and mobility

Visa policy continues to shape destination choice. Countries that have embraced visa-free regimes or streamlined electronic visas have generally seen positive results in arrivals.

Greater intra-African mobility and diaspora access will be essential for sustaining growth.

Simplified visa processes in East and parts of West Africa have made it easier for regional travellers and first-time visitors to book multi-city trips, combining heritage, beach and cultural travel in a single itinerary.

In 2026, further visa liberalisation — particularly if aligned with Agenda 2063’s mobility goals — could unlock substantial new flows.

Accommodation

Hotel and accommodation development is diversifying.

Beyond international chains, boutique hotels, serviced apartments and culturally rooted lodges are entering the market.

This diversity aligns with shifting traveller preferences for authentic, experiential stays alongside familiar brands.

Accommodation is no longer just about bed count.

It is about narrative, sustainability, community linkages and inclusion.

Destinations that embrace this range — from luxury safari lodges to affordable urban stays and growth in Airbnb — will capture demand across source markets and traveller segments.

A continent moving with purpose

Africa enters 2026 with strong momentum. International arrivals are rising, economies are recognising tourism’s value, culture is being woven into economic strategy and regional linkages are strengthening.

The wins of December — the cultural circuits and seasonal vibrancy — are not anomalies but evidence of an industry evolving.

The task now is to move from momentum to maturity.

Africa must invest in connectivity, policy reform, infrastructure and human capital.

It must ensure tourism’s benefits flow to communities, drive jobs, especially for young people and women, and align with sustainability goals.

If 2025 was the year Africa regained its pace, 2026 must be the year it consolidates its promise.

A more connected, competitive and inclusive tourism Africa is not just desirable. It is within reach.