AGP Executive Report

Rwanda’s F1 Debut: Rwanda has signed a 10-year deal to bring Formula 1 back to Africa, with the first Grand Prix expected in the early 2030s. A purpose-built circuit is planned near Bugesera airport, about 40km south of Kigali, as part of a wider tourism and infrastructure project. Mauritius Unrest: Protests over water shortages and rising costs have disrupted daily life on the island, raising concerns for its tourism industry and visitor safety. Regional Travel: Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are pursuing a shared visa for fans attending AFCON 2027, a move aimed at making cross-border trips easier and drawing more visitors. Air Links: Turkish Airlines plans to increase Istanbul–Lagos service from seven to 10 flights a week from December 11, improving connections for Nigerian leisure and business travellers. New Stay: Iberostar says its first East African resort, Iberostar Selection Zanzibar, is due to open as part of the group’s expansion.

Rwanda’s F1 Return: A 10-year deal will bring the African Grand Prix to a new circuit near Kigali from the early 2030s, ending a 33-year absence. Rwanda expects the event to support tourism, jobs and business. Mauritius Unrest: Riots over water shortages and living costs have shut schools and prompted calls for staff to work from home, raising disruption concerns for visitors to the island. Easier Regional Travel: COMESA plans online purchases and digital checks for its Yellow Card cross-border motor insurance, while the East African Community is planning a joint visa for AFCON 2027 fans.

Hotel Expansion: IHG has signed a deal for a 250-room Crowne Plaza in New Cairo, scheduled to open in 2031. Minor Hotels is also making its Morocco debut with an Anantara retreat in Rabat. AFCON Travel: East African Community countries are planning a joint visa for fans attending AFCON 2027, a move that could make cross-border trips easier. Kenya’s Visitors: Travellers from the US and New Zealand are among Kenya’s biggest daily spenders, highlighting valuable markets for tourism businesses. Regional Growth: North Africa is leading recent tourism gains as global travel conditions improve, according to a new industry report. Lake Tourism: The 113-year-old MV Liemba has returned to Lake Tanganyika after a major overhaul, restoring a distinctive link for travel around the lake.

Hotel Investment: Minor Hotels is set to enter Morocco with an Anantara retreat in Rabat, while IHG has signed a deal for a 250-room Crowne Plaza in New Cairo. Safari Connections: MORE Collection and Federal Airlines have launched a new flight link for safari travel. Adventure Tourism: Cape Town will host the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships from October 6–10, the event’s first time in Africa, with Table Mountain as its backdrop. Tourism Trends: A new report says North Africa is leading the continent’s tourism gains as global travel conditions improve. Coastal Appeal: Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront has earned Blue Flag status for an eighth consecutive year, while South Africa aims to have 100 Blue Flag beaches by 2030. Aviation Outlook: High costs and slow reforms are raising concerns about the growth of African aviation.

Beachfront Tourism: Ghana’s SSNIT plans an African Market at Labadi before Christmas, aiming to give displaced traders a place to work while keeping businesses near a major Accra visitor destination. Air Connectivity: New coverage warns that high costs and slow reforms are holding back African aviation, while Ethiopian Airlines marks a decade of service to Namibia. Tourism Growth: Ministers at the WTTC summit debated whether destinations should pursue more arrivals or better-quality tourism. Travel Access: African football leaders are being urged to use AFCON to advance visa-free travel across the continent. Health & Travel: Kenya is reassuring visitors after an Ebola case, as regional officials stress the need for cooperation and preparedness.

Regional Travel: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania are being urged to make a shared visa a requirement for hosting AFCON 2027, allowing fans to move between the three countries more easily. Airports: Airports Company South Africa reported an 8.5% rise in departing passengers in its latest financial year, alongside increased aircraft movements. Beach Tourism: South Africa aims to grow its Blue Flag beaches to 100 by 2030, strengthening its appeal to coastal visitors. Tourism Partnerships: Egypt and Saudi Arabia discussed expanding tourism ties during the World Travel & Tourism Council summit. Kenya Travel: Kenya is reassuring visitors about safety after an Ebola case crossed borders undetected, as the country pursues a target of 5.5 million arrivals.

Travel Alerts: The US has urged Americans in South Africa to avoid protests as anti-migrant unrest disrupts major cities. Kenya’s first Ebola patient travelled through three countries undetected, raising concerns about cross-border spread. Tourism Partnerships: Egypt and Saudi Arabia discussed expanding tourism ties at the WTTC summit. Coastal Escapes: South Africa is targeting 100 Blue Flag beaches by 2030, while a new 2027 Cape 1000 route promises a scenic drive through the country. New Stays: Four Seasons plans a cliffside Tangier resort with 27 private villas and views of Spain.

Tourism Partnerships: Malaysia and Egypt signed a tourism cooperation agreement as the two countries move to deepen ties, opening the door to closer industry collaboration. Egypt is also pitching its diverse attractions, infrastructure and heritage as it seeks to grow visitor numbers. New Developments: A revival of Pilanesberg airport has reached the tender stage, while Four Seasons plans a cliffside Tangier resort with 27 villas. Ethiopia’s national carrier is set to resume flights to Mekele on October 11. Destinations: Victoria Falls National Park offers visitors views from Zambia and Zimbabwe, with seasonal water levels shaping the experience. Cape Verde is attracting more solo female travellers as its tourism sector grows. Travel Health: Kenya is tracing contacts after an imported Ebola case travelled through the DRC and Uganda; officials say there is no confirmed local transmission.

Travel Alerts: The US has urged caution for South Africa amid violent anti-migrant protests in Durban and Johannesburg. Kenya has also drawn fresh travel advice after an Ebola-linked case involving travel through the DRC and Uganda. Air Links: Ethiopian Airlines is set to resume flights to Mekele on Oct. 11, restoring a key route to Tigray. Hotel Growth: Four Seasons plans a cliffside Tangier resort with 27 private villas, adding to Morocco’s growing luxury offer. New Experiences: Club Med is promoting a South Africa itinerary that pairs safari with surf, while Tanzania welcomes the English Premier League trophy on its first East African tour. Tourism Industry: The Magical Kenya Travel Expo has opened in Nairobi with more than 350 exhibitors, spotlighting the country’s push to attract visitors and strengthen regional travel.

Air Links: Ethiopian Airlines plans to resume flights to Mekelle on October 11 after weeks of disruption, though services to Axum and Shire remain uncertain amid renewed fighting in Tigray. Health and Travel: Kenya’s first confirmed Ebola patient travelled from the DRC through Uganda before dying in Nairobi, prompting calls for stronger cross-border monitoring as Kenya seeks 5.5 million tourist arrivals and reassures visitors about safety. Tourism Investment: IHG is entering Kenya with a 112-suite Nairobi property, while Banyan Group is expanding in Africa through its acquisition of Newmark Hotels and Reserves. Wildlife Experiences: Zambia’s Anantara Tented Camp Kafue is adding a lodge in a vast wilderness, and three African wild dogs have made a record 2,500-mile journey across the continent.

Travel Health: Kenya has confirmed its first imported Ebola case, while a second suspected case tested negative. Authorities are tracing contacts and increasing surveillance. Cruise Changes: Nicko Cruises has rerouted its 2026–27 world cruise around Yemen’s security risks, with passengers flying to Hurghada for a five-day Egypt stay while the ship sails without guests through the Red Sea. Air Connectivity: Royal Air Maroc plans free Starlink Wi-Fi on 41 aircraft from 2027. Etihad and Ibom Air will also offer single-ticket connections from Lagos and Accra to five Nigerian cities when Etihad launches its services next March. Tourism Investment: Banyan Group is expanding in Africa through its acquisition of Newmark Hotels and Reserves. Meanwhile, a lengthy queue of visitors at Cape Town’s Table Mountain highlights the transport pressures facing a popular destination.

Safari Rally: Kenya has secured its place on the 2027 World Rally Championship calendar, keeping the iconic event in the global spotlight as the series expands to 15 rounds. Air Connectivity: Royal Air Maroc plans to add free Starlink Wi-Fi to 41 aircraft from 2027, a first for an African airline that could improve the onboard experience for travellers. Hotel Investment: Banyan Group is expanding in Africa through its acquisition of Newmark Hotels and Reserves, while IHG is preparing to enter Kenya with a 112-suite Nairobi property. Destination Marketing: Namibia is promoting its wide-open landscapes and high-end stays to international buyers at a luxury travel event in Swakopmund this December. Travel Health: Kenya’s first imported Ebola case has prompted regional monitoring and calls for tourism unity. WHO advises against travel bans; visitors should follow official health updates. Visitor Safety: The Gambia’s tourism and security agencies are coordinating ahead of the winter season, aiming to reassure visitors and strengthen protection at tourist sites.

Hotel Spotlight: Babylonstoren was named South Africa’s top hotel in Condé Nast Traveler’s 2026 Readers’ Choice Awards for the fifth year running. Travel Health: Kenya is tracing contacts and passengers after its first confirmed Ebola case was linked to a flight into Nairobi; officials are monitoring the situation as the city is a major regional air hub. Tourism Cooperation: Sierra Leone and Guinea are pursuing joint tourism initiatives, while African industry voices are urging wider use of technology to improve the visitor experience. Events and Air Travel: Cape Town will host the SportAccord Convention in 2028, and Royal Air Maroc plans to introduce Starlink connectivity. Visitor Reminder: Tanzania’s mandatory travel insurance for visitors took effect on October 1, with reports putting the cost at US$44.

Tourism Technology: At Nairobi’s Magical Kenya Travel Expo, African officials urged destinations to use AI and digital tools to improve marketing and visitor experiences. Africa recorded 81 million arrivals in 2025; Kenya is targeting 5.5 million international visitors a year by 2028. Sports Tourism: Cape Town will host the SportAccord Convention in 2028, the first time the global sports gathering comes to Africa. Travel Safety: WHO is supporting Kenya’s response to its first imported Bundibugyo virus case, including screening and contact tracing. In Tanzania, a safari plane made an emergency landing after striking a zebra on take-off. Air Connectivity: Etihad and Ibom Air agreed to link five Nigerian cities to Etihad’s global network, while RwandAir plans to add four A330-200s by year-end to support long-haul growth. Visa Access: The Philippines is offering 30-day visa-free entry to citizens of 46 African countries; Nigeria is not included.

Ebola Watch (Kenya): Kenya confirmed its first imported Ebola case (Bundibugyo strain) after a man died in Nairobi following travel from the DRC, spotlighting airport screening and surveillance gaps as WHO ramps up response and contact monitoring. Health Tech (Nigeria): Redeemer’s Health Village in Abuja performed tele-robotic surgery with a specialist 500 km away, marking a major step for advanced care access in West Africa. Tourism & Trade (Africa): A PAFTRAC Africa CEO survey finds 81.3% of executives expect more cross-border activity, but trade finance remains a major bottleneck and intra-African exports still lag despite AfCFTA. Diplomacy (Ghana-India): India’s Jaishankar met Ghana’s FM and President to deepen ties across trade, defence, tech and people-to-people links, while pushing engagement with the AU and ECOWAS. Tourism Numbers (Qatar): Qatar welcomed 2.614 million visitors in the first nine months of 2026, with GCC countries leading arrivals. Safety & Travel (Ghana-Zambia): Ghana warned citizens about fraudulent job offers in Zambia tied to coercion and cybercrime. Policy & Travel Context: WHO and ECDC monitored a suspected plague death in Russia, while a US embassy issued health alerts for Americans in the affected area.

Tourism Numbers: Qatar says it welcomed 2.614 million visitors in the first nine months of 2026, with September up 1.1% year-on-year to 276,000. New Routes & Connectivity: Air Arabia resumes daily nonstop service between Ras Al Khaimah and Kozhikode from 16 October, adding more value-driven travel options across the region. Morocco-Italy Push: Morocco’s National Tourist Office signed a three-year deal with Italian shipping firm GNV to grow Italy–Morocco tourism, targeting 350,000 passengers departing Italy by sea. Travel Safety in the Wild: A safari plane in Tanzania made an emergency landing after hitting a zebra during take-off; all passengers and crew disembarked safely. Regional Mobility & Work: Qatar’s labour-mobility dialogue in Dar es Salaam highlights how African states and GCC partners are trying to balance workforce needs with workers’ rights. Ghana Youth Sports Travel: Ghana’s Black Starlets reached Ouagadougou after a 20-hour road trip ahead of the WAFU Zone B U-17 Championship. Health Watch: Kenya confirmed its first Ebola death, tracing travel links from the DRC and urging calm as contacts are followed.