Kenya is set to take center stage in Africa's tourism innovation landscape after being selected to host the prestigious Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit and Challenge (AYTIS) from 2025 to 2027.

Following three successful editions in Namibia, the event will now shift to Nairobi, further solidifying Kenya's status as a hub for African tourism and innovation.

This annual Pan-African summit serves as a crucial platform for young entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and government officials to come together and explore solutions to shape the future of Africa's tourism sector.

Since its inception, AYTIS has attracted the brightest minds in tourism, with participants presenting groundbreaking ideas and technologies that address key challenges faced by the industry.

Namibia's hosting of the summit over the past three years, including the 2024 edition in Windhoek, has been pivotal in elevating the role of youth and innovation in tourism across Africa. The Windhoek event drew over 500 delegates, including 300 entrepreneurs, from across the continent.

The dynamic interaction among stakeholders highlighted the immense potential of Africa's tourism industry, positioning it as a key driver of economic growth and development.

AYTIS is a creation of Africa Tourism Partners, a leading pan-African tourism advisory firm led by industry expert Kwakye Donkor, who will continue as the convenor of the summit as it moves to Kenya from 2025. Known for promoting sustainable tourism development across Africa through strategic partnerships, research, and capacity-building initiatives, Africa Tourism Partners has been pivotal in shaping the summit's success over the years.

Under Kwakye Donkor's leadership, the firm aims to expand the summit's impact during its Kenya stint, targeting 800 participants for the 2025 edition. This expanded participation will create more opportunities for networking, learning, and collaboration, further empowering Africa's youth in the tourism industry.

Kenya’s bid to host AYTIS from 2025 comes at a time when the country is gaining recognition for its commitment to tourism development and technological innovation. Nairobi, known for its vibrant tourism scene and tech-savvy environment, is the ideal location for the next phase of the summit’s evolution. 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, who aim to expand the summit’s impact across the continent.

Håvar Bauck, co-founder of TEAMS Africa, expressed his enthusiasm for bringing the event to Nairobi: "Kenya is at the forefront of tourism and tech innovation in Africa, and Nairobi provides the perfect backdrop for young entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas. We believe the next three editions of AYTIS will inspire even greater collaboration, creativity, and growth in the sector."

Barry Clemens added: "Tourism has the power to drive economic transformation across Africa. By hosting AYTIS, we hope to unlock new opportunities for youth and women, creating a more inclusive and tech-driven tourism industry."

The Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit has become a catalyst for fostering entrepreneurship in tourism, beyond traditional models of hotels and tour operations. The challenge component encourages youth to bring forward solutions that integrate technology, sustainability, and community development into the industry.

During the 2024 edition in Namibia, Ghanaian innovator Joseph Owiredu emerged as the winner of the Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Challenge. As CEO of Fihankra ComTech Limited, Owiredu impressed the adjudication panel with his tech-driven personal safety solutions for the tourism industry. His win is a reflection of the summit's mission to empower youth-driven solutions that address the continent’s unique tourism challenges.

As Nairobi gears up to host AYTIS from 2025, Kenya is poised to attract even more tourism leaders and innovators, further enhancing its reputation as a key player in African tourism. With the anticipated participation of over 800 delegates in the upcoming edition, the summit promises to be a major event in the continent’s tourism calendar, pushing forward the agenda of digital transformation, inclusivity, and sustainable growth.

AYTIS has previously been hosted by countries including Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, and Ghana, in partnership with organizations such as UN Tourism and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

These partnerships underscore a shared commitment to supporting youth and fostering innovation within Africa’s tourism sector, aligning with the continent’s broader goal of inclusive and sustainable growth.

About the author 

Francis Doku is the Chief Operations Officer of Plugin Digital Limited, host of the Africa Rising podcast. He is also a tourism, arts and culture curator with decades of experience in media, marketing and advertising.