UN Tourism chief spotlights Angola as Africa's next big tourism investment frontier with €8 billion
Angola's bold drive to elevate tourism into a central pillar of its national economy has earned a powerful international endorsement, with UN Tourism Secretary-General-designate Shaikha Al Nuwais publicly recognising the southern African nation as a rising investment destination and a benchmark for tourism-led economic transformation across the continent. Speaking at the opening of the Global Tourism Forum in Luanda, she praised President João Lourenço's leadership for placing tourism at the heart of Angola's strategy for economic growth, employment creation and regional development.
Addressing an influential gathering of government officials, international investors, hospitality executives and trade representatives, Al Nuwais argued that Angola's journey illustrates how committed reforms, infrastructure spending and political will can collectively unlock a country's tourism potential. "Investment follows confidence, and confidence is growing in Angola," she declared, pointing to a string of policy moves that have lifted the country's profile among global business decision-makers and travellers alike.
At the centre of this transformation lies the government's National Tourism Development Plan, known as PLANATUR, which has mobilised more than €8 billion in investments to develop tourism infrastructure and reinforce the sector's contribution to the national economy. Equally noteworthy is Angola's decision to grant visa-free entry to nationals of more than 90 countries, widely regarded as a powerful stimulus for visitor arrivals and cross-border business engagement. The Luanda Ministerial Statement, an initiative aimed at improving air connectivity across Africa, was also highlighted as a meaningful step in addressing one of the continent's most stubborn obstacles to tourism growth.
The Global Tourism Forum itself served as living proof of Angola's growing pull. Al Nuwais observed that her flight into Luanda was fully booked, while the event drew leading hospitality brands and tourism investment firms from around the world. Their presence, she stressed, was more than a marker of curiosity; it was a vote of confidence in Angola's ambition and the opportunities now opening up. Her words reflected a broader shift in perception about a country long associated with its oil wealth, but now actively diversifying its economy through tourism, culture and hospitality.
Recalling Angola's participation at ITB Berlin earlier in the year, where the country showcased its cuisine, music and dance traditions, Al Nuwais described witnessing an Angolan dancer become visibly emotional during a cultural performance. "It was far more than a performance. It was pride in a country, pride in a culture, and pride in a future that people believe in," she said.
A dominant theme of the forum was the urgent need to address Africa's tourism investment deficit. Despite being home to some of the most breathtaking natural and cultural assets on earth, the continent continues to receive a disproportionately small share of global tourism capital. Addressing Angola's Minister of Tourism, Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Al Nuwais acknowledged his earlier appeal to UN Tourism to help close this gap. "Potential is distributed widely, but investment is not. And that must change," she stated firmly, outlining the organisation's commitment to delivering investment guidelines, specialised investment forums, and initiatives that link governments to private-sector funders.
Throughout her address, Al Nuwais portrayed Angola as a country moving decisively from promise to performance. Describing it as "ready, ambitious, and open for business," she suggested that the nation is well-positioned to emerge as one of Africa's leading tourism destinations in the years ahead. Drawing on Angola's branding campaign, "Rhythm of Life," she said the country's story is now resonating far beyond its borders, captivating investors, business leaders and travellers worldwide. Her parting words struck a tone the African travel trade will find both inspiring and instructive: "Angola is not waiting for the future. It is building it."
