Tourism Investment Forum Africa 2025 Highlights New Opportunities for Africa’s Secondary Cities
The Tourism Investment Forum Africa (TIFA) 2025 is set to energise the continent’s tourism sector when it convenes at the Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) in the City of uMhlathuze, South Africa, from 27–29 August 2025. This year’s gathering, now recognised as a leading event in Africa’s tourism investment calendar, continues its tradition of fostering critical discussions and catalysing partnerships that can transform the face of African tourism. With a guiding theme of “a global platform for local action,” TIFA 2025’s focus on elevating secondary and tertiary cities is especially timely, offering the continent’s travel sector a unique chance to reimagine growth and inclusion.
The choice of Richards Bay as the host city is particularly significant. Known both as a major port and industrial centre, Richards Bay is also a crucial gateway to some of South Africa’s prized coastal tourism assets. This blend of industrial might and natural beauty underscores the ambitions of TIFA: to connect economic transformation, community empowerment, and sustainable tourism on a shared platform. The city’s setting exemplifies the event’s core message—Africa’s future in tourism rests not just in established hotspots, but in the rise of new destinations ready to attract international and domestic investment.
Across three dynamic days, TIFA 2025 will offer a rich and varied programme crafted to maximise collaboration and opportunity. The opening day will push boundaries by taking delegates directly into the field, offering on-site tours of investment-ready projects within the RBIDZ. These tours are designed to provide a tangible sense of the region’s potential, allowing participants to see first-hand how infrastructure and tourism ambitions can intersect. Meanwhile, a dedicated showcase for start-ups and SMEs will underline how innovation is reshaping Africa’s tourism sector. These enterprises, often the backbone of local economies, will demonstrate their latest solutions and business models, highlighting how small and medium businesses are increasingly central to Africa’s tourism narrative.
As the forum progresses, attention will turn to a more structured conference format. Here, a blend of investment presentations, ongoing SME exhibits, and expert panel discussions will dissect the most pressing topics facing Africa’s tourism investment community today. Delegates will explore a spectrum of issues, from infrastructure financing and hospitality development to the role of culture, film, destination branding, and the fast-moving influence of technology and artificial intelligence on the future of travel in Africa. These sessions are meticulously curated to surface actionable insights and strategies that can unlock the continent’s considerable tourism potential.
Beyond the formal agenda, TIFA 2025 is designed as a space where connections are made and business is done. Networking opportunities abound, from informal conversations to structured B2B meetings and investment matchmaking sessions. By bringing together policymakers, development financiers, entrepreneurs, and established private sector players, the forum aims to catalyse partnerships that deliver long-term results. The underlying goal is to create jobs, increase Africa’s global visibility, and foster an environment where the entire tourism value chain can thrive.
The forum’s focus on diversifying investment beyond traditional hotspots is noteworthy. Africa’s tourism sector is increasingly recognised as a powerful engine for economic diversification, but the benefits have too often been concentrated in a handful of well-known destinations. By deliberately shining a spotlight on secondary and tertiary cities, TIFA is helping to unlock the potential of regions that have historically been overlooked. These areas offer untapped opportunities for hospitality, culture, and event-based tourism, and with the right investment, can become competitive on a national and international scale.
For those looking to invest, TIFA 2025 offers direct access to project sponsors, government officials, financiers, and development institutions. This direct line opens doors to high-potential projects and provides a rare level of insight into the policies and incentives shaping Africa’s tourism landscape. Local governments and entrepreneurs, meanwhile, benefit from increased visibility and the chance to forge new partnerships. The practical tools and knowledge shared at the forum can help transform local ambitions into viable, bankable projects—contributing to the overall resilience and growth of Africa’s tourism sector.
The inclusion of technology and artificial intelligence as a core theme reflects the changing face of global tourism. As African destinations compete for international travellers, digital transformation is no longer just an option—it is a necessity. TIFA’s focus on how these tools can be leveraged for better marketing, customer experience, and operational efficiency will be of particular interest to anyone seeking to future-proof their tourism offerings. From smarter infrastructure to data-driven destination branding, these innovations are set to drive the next wave of growth across the continent.
Networking, knowledge-sharing, and collaboration underpin every aspect of TIFA 2025. The forum recognises that the future of African tourism will be shaped not by isolated actors but by a broad coalition of stakeholders working in concert. Whether it’s forging new cross-border partnerships, accessing fresh sources of finance, or learning from industry innovators, the event is designed to empower every participant to play an active role in the sector’s evolution.
As the global tourism industry continues its post-pandemic resurgence, Africa is well positioned to capture a larger share of the market. TIFA 2025 is more than just a meeting ground—it is a launchpad for action. Here, ideas are rigorously tested, strategies are developed, and investments are mobilised to build a stronger, more inclusive tourism sector for the continent. The forum’s outcomes will ripple far beyond Richards Bay, setting new standards for how Africa’s secondary cities can attract investment, generate employment, and deliver memorable experiences to travellers from across the globe.
TIFA’s mission of building a more balanced, sustainable, and innovation-driven tourism sector is now more relevant than ever. As Africa’s travel landscape evolves, the lessons learned and connections made at TIFA 2025 will be instrumental in shaping a future where opportunity is not confined to the few but is shared across regions, businesses, and communities. For all stakeholders, from governments and investors to entrepreneurs and established operators, the message is clear: the time to act is now, and the continent’s tourism future will be defined by those who seize the moment.
