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2027
South Africa
2026 Agenda
For FHS Africa, our objective is to enhance networking opportunities by introducing innovative and engaging formats that foster meaningful connections among delegates. The program is carefully designed to encourage greater interaction between attendees and speakers, ensuring valuable discussions and insights.
FHS Africa 2026 Agenda
Summit Stage
The Summit Stage serves as the conference's central hub, hosting all keynote presentations and pivotal panel discussions. It is designed to bring together industry leaders, investors, policymakers, and innovators in one space, fostering meaningful dialogue and knowledge exchange. Attendees can expect high-level insights into global and regional hospitality trends, strategic investment opportunities, and emerging market dynamics.
Knowledge Station
A dedicated space for learning and inspiration, the Knowledge Station offers engaging workshops, in-depth case studies, and expert presentations. Designed to address key focus topics from the conference, this hub provides valuable insights and practical knowledge for attendees seeking deeper understanding and expertise.
Showcase Den
A dynamic platform for exploring investment opportunities, the Showcase Den highlights key destinations, country spotlights, and new project pitches. Designed to connect delegates with potential investments, this space offers valuable insights into emerging markets and groundbreaking developments in the industry.
Pioneer Camp
A collaborative space designed for in-depth discussions, the Pioneer Camp caters to the demand for smaller, longer conversations between delegates and experts. Through interactive roundtables, this hub fosters meaningful dialogue, tackles critical challenges, and develops practical solutions for the industry's future.
FILTER AGENDA
Monday 30 March
18:30 - 21:30 3 hours
Welcome Reception at KOFISI Kaskazi
Kick off FHS Africa with sunset drinks and networking at one of Nairobi's dynamic business hubs culminating in an immersive experience in their art gallery overlooking the Karura forest.
Coaches will be available and leaving Radisson Blue Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill at 17:45
For those making their own way the address is: General Mathenge Road, Westlands. Here is a Google Location Pin.
Tuesday 31 March
08:00 - 10:00 2 hours
Registration
09:00 - 10:00 1 hour
Knowledge Station - First Floor - Elgon 1
From First Timers to Power Players : Making the Most of FHS Africa and Speed Networking
Roy Bannister
Head of Strategic Partnerships: Africa
The Bench
10:00 - 10:30 30 minutes
Exhibition Room
Coffee Break
10:30 - 10:40 10 minutes
Summit Stage
Welcome
Moderators
Roy Bannister
Head of Strategic Partnerships: Africa
The Bench
Thami Nkadimeng
The Message Architect
Thami Nkadimeng Group
In conversation with
Matthew Weihs
Founder FHS Africa
The Bench
10:40 - 10:50 10 minutes
Summit Stage
Official Opening Remarks
David Gitonga
Tourism Secretary
Republic of Kenya
10:50 - 11:05 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Enabling the Ecosystem: Government’s Role in Tourism Growth
Moderator
Julia Kleber
Chief Executive Officer
Kleber Group
In conversation with
Augusto Kalikemala
Secretary of State for Tourism
Republic of Angola
11:15 - 11:40 25 minutes
Summit Stage
New World, New Rules: Africa at the Crossroads of Global Shifts
Ronak Gopaldas
Director, Signal Risk
Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics
11:45 - 12:10 25 minutes
Summit Stage
Global Geopolitics, Local Impact: What Today’s Shifts Mean for Hospitality Investment in Africa
Moderator
Dr․ Aradhana Khowala
Founder & CEO
Aptamind Partners
In conversation with
Ewan Cameron
Director, Africa
Westmont Hospitality Group
Ronak Gopaldas
Director, Signal Risk
Visiting Fellow, London School of Economics
Buhle Ndlovu
Principal Investment
Kasada Capital Management
12:10 - 12:25 15 minutes
Summit Stage
A New Platform for Progress: Africa Hospitality Investor's Council
Olivier Granet
Managing Partner & Co-CEO
Kasada Capital Management
Ufi Ibrahim
Chief Executive Officer
Energy & environment Alliance
12:25 - 12:40 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Decoding the Data: What the Numbers Say About the Next Chapter in Hospitality
Philip Wooller
Senior Director, Middle East & Africa
STR, a CoStar Group Company
12:40 - 13:00 20 minutes
Summit Stage
From Capital Markets to Ownership Models: De-Risking and Scaling Hospitality Investment in Africa
Moderator
Jeremy Maggs
Journalist, Radio Host and Television Presenter
In conversation with
Richard Wairegi
Senior Manager
African Export Import Bank
13:00 - 13:10 10 minutes
Summit Stage
FHS Africa Award: Outstanding Contribution to Africa
Colin Bell
Co-founder of Natural Selection and former CEO of Wilderness
13:10 - 14:00 50 minutes
Exhibition Room
Networking Luncheon
14:00 - 14:20 20 minutes
Summit Stage
Show, Don't Tell: Real Strategies, Real Challenges, Real Returns
Moderator
Mark Dunford
Chief Executive Officer
Knight Frank Kenya
In conversation with
Bani Haddad
Founder & Co-CEO
Aleph Hospitality
Julien Renaud
CEO African Hotel Development
ONOMO Hotels
14:20 - 14:40 20 minutes
Summit Stage
From Paper to Progress: Pipeline Insights
Trevor Ward
Managing Director
W Hospitality Group
14:40 - 15:10 30 minutes
Summit Stage
From Signing to Opening: The Only Metric That Matters in Development
Fiona Craw
VP Development, Africa
Westmont Hospitality Group
Javad Hajiyev
Associate Partner - Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Advisory
Knight Frank MENA
Clemence Lormand
Corporate Director of Development
Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC
Daniel Trappler
Senior Director, Development, Sub-Sahara Africa
Radisson Hotel Group
15:10 - 15:45 35 minutes
Summit Stage
Risk, Returns & Reality: Financing and Delivering Hotels in Emerging Markets
Moderator
Simon Ardonceau
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
AIRE
In conversation with
Marcson Baker
Investment Manager
DEG ( German Investment and Development Company )
Rakhee Kantaria
Director
Modways Investments Ltd․
Gillian Rogers
Principal Country Officer for Kenya
International Finance Corporation (IFC)
Daniel Trappler
Senior Director, Development, Sub-Sahara Africa
Radisson Hotel Group
15:45 - 15:50 5 minutes
Summit Stage
Signing Ceremony
15:50 - 16:15 25 minutes
Summit Stage
Capital Flows into African Hospitality: Who's Investing and Why Now
Moderator
Andrew McLachlan
Founder & Managing Director
Develop Hotels Inc
In conversation with
Suhail Ashok Bhatia
Director - Asset Management
Compagnie Hoteliere et Immobiliere du Congo (CHIC)
Laura Gasca
Senior Project Specialist
UN Tourism
Jonathan Jackson
Founder
Lordship Group
16:15 - 16:45 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Coastal Reset: Redefining Coastal Development for the Long Term
Moderator
Laurinda Marsh
LEED® Green Associate & Key Account Manager - Global Projects Africa
Hansgrohe
In conversation with
Gary Greene
Principal
Gary Greene Design
Wesam Okasha
Head of Global Development
TUI BLUE Hotels & Resorts
David Vely
Vice President Development & Asset Middle East and Africa
Club Med
16:45 - 17:00 15 minutes
Exhibition Room
Coffee Break
17:00 - 18:00 1 hour
Knowledge Station - First Floor - Elgon 1
Raising Capital in Hospitality: DFI Expectations and Requirements to Fund Hospitality Deals
Kei Tamaki
Investment Officer
International Finance Corporation
17:00 - 17:25 25 minutes
Pioneer Camp - First Floor - Elgon 2
AI in Action: Practical Tools to Boost Efficiency, Service & Profit in Hospitality Operations
Frank Wagner
General Manager
Advanced Computer Technology (ACT)
17:00 - 18:00 1 hour
Showcase Den - First Floor - Elgon 3
The Truth About Hotel F&B: Why It’s Not Performing as Well as It Should
Alec Howard
Founding Partner
Planet F&B Consultants
17:25 - 17:30 5 minutes
Pioneer Camp - First Floor - Elgon 2
Signing Ceremony
17:45 - 18:00 15 minutes
Pioneer Camp - First Floor - Elgon 2
Data-Driven Investment Decisions: A Live, Technology-Enabled Highest and Best Use Analysis
Moderator
Simon Ardonceau
Chief Executive Officer & Founder
AIRE
In conversation with
Samir Patel
Founder & CEO
Workable
18:00 - 22:00 4 hours
Gala Reception hosted by Westmont Hospitality Group – Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill
Join 500+ hospitality leaders on the terrace for an unforgettable evening of alfresco dining, panoramic city views, and deal-making under the Nairobi sky.
Wednesday 01 April
06:45 - 08:00 1 hour 15 minutes
Charity Run at Nyayo National Stadium with Kenyan Athletes
Join us for an early morning charity run at the Nyayo National Stadium. We will be joined by some local athletes and members from our charity, Raising Futures.
Coaches will be available and leaving Radisson Blu Hotel, Nairobi Upper Hill at 06:30
For those making their own way, the address is: Junction Nyayo Stadium, Aerodrome roads. Here is a Google Location Pin
All proceeds from the charity will be donated to Raising Futures Kenya, working for vulnerable children and young people to create rewarding futures. Here are some items that you can bring with you if you wish to donate to the charity: Laptops, Sanitary Towels, Girls' Underwear, Manicure & Pedicure Small Kits, Fictional Books/Novels, and Magazines for student libraries.
09:00 - 09:15 15 minutes
Knowledge Station - First Floor - Elgon 1
Advancing Tourism Investment in Africa: Trends, Partnerships and Future Pathways
Laura Gasca
Senior Project Specialist
UN Tourism
09:00 - 09:45 45 minutes
Pioneer Camp - First Floor - Elgon 2
Charting Franchise Growth: A Franchise Development Workshop for Africa
Scott Antel
Partner & Owner
Scotts FZ LLE
Neil George
Partner & Co-CEO
Aleph Hospitality
Trevor Ward
Managing Director
W Hospitality Group
09:00 - 09:45 45 minutes
Showcase Den - First Floor - Elgon 3
From Founder-Led to Investor-Backed: Structuring Governance for Growth
Wanja Michuki
Family Enterprise Coach, Consultant, Advisor
Be Bold Consulting & Advisory Ltd․
Mujahid Pasha
Director of Development - Middle East & Africa
BWH Hotels
09:00 - 10:30 1 hour 30 minutes
Executive Investor Breakfast & Project Showcase
09:15 - 10:00 45 minutes
Knowledge Station - First Floor - Elgon 1
From Fear to Feasibility: A Market-Entry Playbook for Africa
Safiyya Akoojee
Director
Thomson Wilks Inc․
09:45 - 10:00 15 minutes
Pioneer Camp - First Floor - Elgon 2
One Continent, Many Currencies: Where Fintech Creates Value in Hospitality
Moderator
Roy Bannister
Head of Strategic Partnerships: Africa
The Bench
In conversation with
Mark Karake
Founder and CEO
Shukran
Stephen Oluwatobi
Chief Operating Officer
Kora
09:45 - 10:30 45 minutes
Showcase Den - First Floor - Elgon 3
Gateway to the Great Lakes: Uganda’s Role in East Africa’s Tourism Ecosystem
Moderator
Peter Greenberg
Travel Editor
CBS News
In conversation with
Juliana Kagwa
Chief Executive Officer
Uganda Tourism Board
10:00 - 10:30 30 minutes
Exhibition Room
Coffee Break
10:00 - 10:05 5 minutes
Pioneer Camp - First Floor - Elgon 2
Signing Ceremony
10:30 - 10:35 5 minutes
Summit Stage
Welcome Back
Thami Nkadimeng
The Message Architect
Thami Nkadimeng Group
10:35 - 10:50 15 minutes
Summit Stage
How Can Africa Lead Tourism Without Becoming Its Playground?
Dr․ Aradhana Khowala
Founder & CEO
Aptamind Partners
10:50 - 11:10 20 minutes
Summit Stage
From Perception to Capital: How Nation Branding Drives Investment
Moderator
David Keen
Founder & CEO
QUO
In conversation with
Juliana Kagwa
Chief Executive Officer
Uganda Tourism Board
Prof․ Claver Pashi
Chief of Staff
Ministry of Tourism Democratic Republic of Congo
11:10 - 11:45 35 minutes
Summit Stage
Rooted in Heritage: How Local Cultures Shape the DNA of African Hospitality Brands
Moderator
Thami Nkadimeng
The Message Architect
Thami Nkadimeng Group
In conversation with
Prof. Mary Gikungu
Director General
National Museum of Kenya
Vimbai Masiyiwa
Co-Founder & CEO
Batoka Africa
Jameel Verjee
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
CityBlue Hotels
Mita Vohra
Board Director and Head of Sales, Marketing, Revenue and Distribution
Sarova Hotels
11:45 - 12:00 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Remote, Resilient, Profitable: Self-Sustaining Hospitality Models
Moderator
Judy Kepher Gona
Founder & Sustainability Systems Architect
Sustainable Travel & Tourism Africa
In conversation with
Ashish Sharma
Chief Executive Officer
Serena Hotels Africa
12:00 - 12:30 30 minutes
Summit Stage
No Community, No Investment: The Bankability Test for Africa’s Wildlife Tourism
Moderator
Lee-Anne Singer
Southern Africa Partner
HVS Middle East & Africa
In conversation with
Maurine Nduati
Partnership, Engagement & Gender Officer
Taita Taveta Wildlife Conservancies Association (TTWCA)
Hapiloe Sello
Chief Executive Officer
South African National Parks
Rosco Wendover
Chief Executive Officer
Angama Group
12:30 - 12:40 10 minutes
Summit Stage
The Future of Work Is Experiential: How Hospitality-Led Environments Drive Performance, Loyalty and Profit
Pauline Siteyi
Head of People
KOFISI
12:40 - 12:45 5 minutes
Summit Stage
Charity Presentation: Raising Futures Kenya
Mary Mwangi
Executive Director
Raising Futures Kenya and Seed of Hope
12:45 - 13:00 15 minutes
Summit Stage
FHS Africa Award: Leadership
Moderator
Peter Greenberg
Travel Editor
CBS News
In conversation with
Vimbai Masiyiwa
Co-Founder & CEO
Batoka Africa
13:00 - 14:00 1 hour
Exhibition Room
Networking Lunch
14:00 - 14:15 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Emotion, Place, Experience: The Next Era of Leisure Hospitality
Moderator
Amondi Aroko
Senior Editor
Tuko Media
In conversation with
Artur Gerber
Chief Executive Officer
TUI BLUE Hotels & Resorts
14:15 - 14:50 35 minutes
Summit Stage
Luxury Resort & Lodge Feasibility in Africa: Getting the Fundamentals Right
Moderator
Geri Flanagan
Director Development
Banyan Group
In conversation with
Kirsten Manning
Vice President - Head of Advisory
HTI Consulting
Guy McGregor
Managing Director
Luxury Frontiers
Steve Mitchell
Managing Director, Global Lodges
Belmond
Jean- Baptiste Recher
Chief Development Officer Luxury Brands, Middle East, Africa and Turkiye
Accor
14:50 - 15:10 20 minutes
Summit Stage
100 Hotels, One Continent: Structuring Scalable Hospitality Growth in Africa
Moderator
Peter Greenberg
Travel Editor
CBS News
In conversation with
Tobias Reinecke
Head of Investments & Development EMEA
Choice Hotels International
Aniket Shroff
CEO & Owner
Niti Group - La Maison Royale
15:10 - 15:40 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Hotel Operating Models Unpacked: Franchise, Management or Lease?
Moderator
Nils Heckscher
Head of Africa
PKF hospitality group
In conversation with
Réda Faceh
VP Development Northern, Western & Central Africa
Accor
Mehdi Morad
CEO Hospitality & Conservation
Janus Continental Group
David Thomson
Senior Vice President Development
The First Group Hospitality
15:40 - 16:10 30 minutes
Summit Stage
From Homes to Hospitality: Short-Term Rentals in Africa's Hospitality Economy
Moderator
Thami Nkadimeng
The Message Architect
Thami Nkadimeng Group
In conversation with
Linda Bekoe
Founder & CEO
About Partners Luxury Brands Collection
Mutheu Muna-Mwaniki
Director - Legal & Projects
Trianum Hospitality
Rael Phillips
CEO & Co-Founder
Totalstay™
16:10 - 16:30 20 minutes
Exhibition Room
Coffee Break
16:30 - 17:30 1 hour
Knowledge Station - First Floor - Elgon 1
The Branded Residence Masterclass
Scott Antel
Partner & Owner
Scotts FZ LLE
Javad Hajiyev
Associate Partner - Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Advisory
Knight Frank MENA
Jean- Baptiste Recher
Chief Development Officer Luxury Brands, Middle East, Africa and Turkiye
Accor
Pathways for Future Leaders : Insights from Hospitality's Best
16:30 - 17:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Climbing the Hotel Leadership Ladder: Roles, Rotations and Readiness for GM Level
Moderator
Jeremy Maggs
Journalist, Radio Host and Television Presenter
In conversation with
Moshi Perera
General Manager Hyatt Regency Nairobi & Area Vice President Sub Saharan Africa
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
17:00 - 17:30 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Career Journeys & Lessons from the Industry
Moderator
Luckson Zambuko
Founder & Chairman
African Youth in Tourism & Hospitality Associationn
In conversation with
Wesam Okasha
Head of Global Development
TUI BLUE Hotels & Resorts
Moshi Perera
General Manager Hyatt Regency Nairobi & Area Vice President Sub Saharan Africa
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Ashish Sharma
Chief Executive Officer
Serena Hotels Africa
17:30 - 18:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Mentorship Circles: Meet the Leaders