The Bench, a global leader in hospitality investment events, is rebranding the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) as Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa). Doing so brings AHIF, Africa’s most influential tourism investment conference, under The Bench’s flagship Future Hospitality Summit, or ‘FHS’ brand, aligning it with FHS Saudi Arabia and the Dubai-based FHS World. This evolution is a response to a growing appetite for hospitality investment spreading across the whole Middle East and Africa (MEA) region.
For over a decade, AHIF has shaped Africa’s hospitality industry, bringing together global investors, government leaders, and hotel developers to facilitate high-value deals and meaningful discussions, ranging from investment opportunities to government policy and infrastructure developments. The event has catalysed billions of dollars in investment, strengthened regional partnerships, and provided a dedicated space for investors to unlock opportunities in Africa’s rapidly expanding hospitality sector.
The appetite for hospitality investment in Africa has never been stronger. The continent has a record-breaking pipeline of hotel developments, with over 300,000 new ‘keys’ projected by 2030. Cities like Nairobi, Casablanca, Cape Town, and Addis Ababa are leading this transformation, with Nairobi’s Average Daily Rate (ADR) increasing by 164% and Casablanca’s ADR rising by 141% compared to 2019.
Africa’s post-pandemic recovery has outpaced global expectations, with demand exceeding 2019 levels for nine consecutive months. International arrivals are projected to grow by 6-7% annually, reinforcing Africa’s position as an attractive destinatione for hospitality and tourism investment. At AHIF 2024, over $365 million in deals were signed, further solidifying the event’s role as a catalyst for investment across the region.
Set to take place from 17-19 June 2025 in Cape Town, FHS Africa will provide a highly curated environment where investors, developers, and industry leaders will engage in forward-looking discussions tailored to the region’s opportunities and challenges. Key themes for 2025 will include:
Financing Models: Structuring investments to drive sustainable growth in Africa’s evolving markets.
Sustainable Investment & ESG: Making environmental and social governance a profitable venture rather than a cost.
Cross-Border Collaboration: Exploring policies and infrastructure advancements that can boost intra-African trade and tourism.
Branded Residences & Mixed-Use Developments: Understanding the rise of alternative asset classes in hospitality.
Technology & Innovation: The role of AI, blockchain, and digital transformation in African hospitality.
While FHS Africa remains, the leading event dedicated to Africa’s hospitality sector, its integration into the FHS ecosystem ensures that African stakeholders benefit from increased exposure at FHS World—the largest hospitality investment gathering in the region. This closer connection allows African markets to be positioned within a broader investment context, attracting more international capital, expertise, and strategic collaboration.
With its status as a global hub, Dubai serves as the operational headquarters for many international corporations, including The Bench, and plays a pivotal role in fostering investment into African markets. The city offers over 50 daily flights to major African destinations, enhancing accessibility for investors and business leaders alike. Dubai’s position as a financial and innovation hub makes it an ideal launchpad for deeper engagement with Africa’s growing tourism economy.
The FHS portfolio unites the hospitality sector’s most influential meetings under one roof. By consolidating its flagship events, The Bench enhances the industry’s ability to connect major stakeholders, drive investment, and foster cross-market collaboration. The presence of the world’s leading hotel groups, investment firms, and policymakers at all FHS events underscores its role as the premier hospitality investment network in the region.
This transformation marks a pivotal moment for The Bench and the African hospitality sector. With Africa’s investment potential gaining global attention, FHS Africa will provide a focused, high-impact platform, while FHS World ensures that African markets are showcased on the biggest investment stage. The synergy between these events will accelerate deal-making, policy engagement, and long-term industry growth.With the launch of FHS Africa in 2025, The Bench is reaffirming its commitment to shaping Africa’s hospitality future through knowledge-sharing, investment facilitation, and strategic partnerships. As the industry continues to evolve, this rebranding ensures that stakeholders receive a more structured, globally integrated experience—designed to unlock Africa’s full potential as the next major frontier for hospitality investment. Matthew Weihs, Commercial Director of The Bench
Strategic Partners: Accor, BWH Hotels, Hilton, Marriott International, Radisson Hotel Group
Headline Sponsors: CHIC, Hansgrohe
Sponsors: Aleph Hospitality, EQUATE, Knight Frank, St Helena Island, STR, TIME Hotels
Networking Sponsor: TV5 Monde
Official Carriers: Discover Airlines, Kenya Airways
Supported By: South Africa Tourism
About FHS Africa
For over a decade, the Future Hospitality Summit Africa (FHS Africa) has been the launchpad for hospitality investment in Africa, driving growth, connecting visionaries, and transforming the continent’s tourism and hospitality landscape. As a beacon of opportunity, FHS Africa brings together global investors, developers, operators, and industry leaders committed to turning potential into reality.
About The Bench
The Bench has built a legacy as a global curator of opportunity, designing transformative forums and summits that empower the hospitality and travel industries to connect, innovate, and thrive. With over two decades of expertise, The Bench creates platforms that go beyond transactions to inspire collaboration and drive meaningful change.
Each event brings together government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel associations, leading hospitality brands, hotel owners and investors, airlines, destination developers, and more. From flagship gatherings like FHS World (formerly AHIC) and FHS Saudi Arabia, to FHS Africa (formerly AHIF) and AviaDev, The Bench creates events where ideas spark, relationships deepen, and investments take flight.
The Bench thrives on fostering dynamic and forward-looking dialogues, uniting industry pioneers to address challenges, seize opportunities, and co-create the future. Each event is crafted to deliver more than just connections – it’s about transforming ideas into action and building a better tomorrow.
Discover more at thebench.com.
About FHS World
Dates: 27-29 October 2025
Location: Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE
Sponsors:
Jumeirah as Host Sponsor; Neom, Rua Al Madinah Holding and Taiba Investments at Strategic Partners; PwC as Knowledge Partner; Accor, Arada Hospitality, Club Med, Maldives Fund Management Corporation (MFMC), Marriott International, Radisson Hotel Group, Red Sea Global, Rotana and The Ascott Limited as Headline Sponsors; Aleph Hospitality, ARK People Solutions, BeCause, BWH Hotels, Compass Project Consulting, Credibl ESG, EHL Hospitality Business School, IHCL, JLL, JT+P, Knight Frank, Louvre Hotels Group, Minor Hotels, Quo, Rikas Hospitality, STR, The First Group, The Water Company and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as Sponsors, and Centara Hotels & Resorts, Rove Hotels, Shaza Hotels and Time Hotels as Exhibitors.
Matthew Weihs+44 (0) 7858 511012The Bench
