By Henry Obetta

Nigeria premier hospitality destination, Eko Hotels & Suites is set to organise 2-day forum where it will examine how African countries can convert the gap between potential and performance of its hospitality and tourism industry and position itself confidently within the global marketplace.

The summit scheduled for 15th and 16th of May, 2026 in Lagos is organised by Eko Hotels and Suites as parts of its celebrations to mark its 50th anniversary.

The summit’s agenda, aims to focus less on promotional rhetoric and more on practical collaboration: how to attract international investment, strengthen hospitality standards and build stronger connections between African destinations and global travel networks.

It will convene ministers, policymakers, investors, corporate Nigeria, young professionals, students and hospitality leaders from across Africa & the Caribbean.

The theme: “African Hospitality: Rich with Possibility, Ready for Afro Collaboration” will capture both ambition and pragmatism.

Some confirmed keynote speakers include Ambassador Wallace Williams, Pan Africanist – Professor Patrick Lumumba amongst others.

Director of Sales & Marketing, Eko Hotels and Suites, Iyadunni Gbadebo, noted that the event reflects a broader shift in positioning Africa not just as a destination of promise, but as one of structured opportunity.
She stated “If the conversations in Lagos succeed, they may help shift the narrative from Africa as a destination of untapped promise to one of organised opportunity.
In tourism, as in diplomacy, the welcome matters. Africa appears ready to extend one,”

The summit aims to help redefine Africa’s place in global tourism by strengthening collaboration and investment across the industry.

For Eko Hotels and Suites, which has welcomed
international guests for half a century, the summit represents both celebration and statement: a demonstration that African hospitality is not merely warm, but globally competitive.