Cape Town will host the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa 2025, a premier gathering of global leaders in hospitality investment, development, and sustainability. Set to take place from 17 to 19 June, the summit will bring together key decision-makers, visionary entrepreneurs, and influential investors, serving as a catalyst for shaping the future of Africa’s hospitality landscape, fostering strategic partnerships and unlocking new opportunities across the continent.
This year’s speaker lineup brings together a dynamic mix of major investors, industry visionaries, strategic thinkers, and dealmakers who are actively redefining the hospitality landscape across Africa. William E. Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor Hotels, will lead the keynote session. As a self-made entrepreneur who launched his first business at the age of 17 and went on to build one of the world’s most respected hospitality groups, Heinecke will share insights from his journey and explore future opportunities for hotel expansion on the continent.
Other senior leaders from global hospitality groups will provide deep insight into their strategies for Africa’s fast-evolving markets. Guy Hutchinson, President of Hilton MEA, and Haitham Mattar, Managing Director of IHG for MEA & Southwest Asia, will examine how their organizations are adapting to local market dynamics. Jerome Briet, Chief Development Officer EMEA at Marriott International; Jean-Baptiste Recher, Chief Development Officer for Luxury Brands at Accor; and Esteban Lozada, Managing Director for North, West & South Africa at Hilton, will present updates on their companies’ expansion plans and regional pipelines.
On the investment front, the summit will feature some of the sector’s most prominent players, including Folaseto Akin-Olugbade, Principal at Actis; Olivier Granet and David Damiba, Co-CEOs of Kasada Capital Management; Rahul Chaudhary, MD & CEO of CG Corp Global; Magdaline Osei Baffour, Investment Director at Westmont Hospitality Group; Nyawira Kariuki, CEO of Janus Continental Group; and Jameel Verjee, Founder & CEO of CityBlue Hotels. These industry leaders will offer candid insights into their investment philosophies, risk management practices, and how they unlock long-term value across diverse African markets.
Adding to the operational expertise, speakers like Graham Wood, CEO of Sun International; Marcel von Aulock, CEO of Southern Sun; Tony Romer-Lee, Managing Partner AMEA at Valor Hospitality Partners; and David Green, CEO of V&A Waterfront, will contribute their perspectives on effective operating models, sustainable practices, and overcoming development challenges on the continent.
Sustainability and conservation will be a central theme at FHS Africa 2025, reflecting the growing importance of responsible tourism. Dr. Morne du Plessis, CEO of WWF South Africa, and Mark Read, former Chairman of WWF South Africa, will discuss how hospitality can play a transformative role in environmental stewardship. Field perspectives will be shared by Brooke Friswold of Bring The Elephant Home and Joe Pietersen of Nkombe Rhino, highlighting ecotourism’s growing impact and potential.
The event will also be enriched by a wide array of thought leaders including Gillian Saunders, a top tourism consultant in Africa; Kevin Teeroovengadum from Proptech Africa; Thami Nkadimeng; Paul Gardiner, CEO of Terra Nova; Bani Haddad of Aleph Hospitality; Tadiwos G. Belete from Kuriftu Resorts; Euan McGlashan from Valor Hospitality; and Wayne Godwin from JLL Africa, among others.
FHS Africa 2025 is expected to be an investor powerhouse, with the participation of major capital partners such as Berkeley Properties, Cameroon Hotels Corporation, CityBlue Hotels, Cresta Marakanelo Limited, DEG, FROS Capital, Fundo Soberano de Angola, IFC, Janus Continental Group, Oak & Satin Properties, Proparco, Rockshieldburg-City, The Midwest Company, and UAG Investments. These investors collectively represent billions of dollars in active projects, acquisitions, and greenfield developments across Africa. Since its inception, FHS Africa has facilitated over $4 billion in hospitality deals, cementing its role as a critical platform for real investment and growth.
Matthew Weihs, Commercial Director of the Bench, which organises FHS Africa, said, “We’re incredibly proud to bring FHS Africa to Cape Town for the first time. It’s a city that represents innovation, diversity, and growth — the perfect backdrop for an event that connects the brightest minds in hospitality and drives real investment across the continent. The 2025 programme is bold, dynamic, and focused on action.”
The 2025 edition of FHS Africa will also provide unmatched opportunities for networking and collaboration through high-energy speed networking sessions, exclusive closed-door investor councils, and offsite visits showcasing Cape Town’s latest hospitality developments. A community-focused charity run will offer a more relaxed setting for building connections while supporting a local cause, reinforcing the summit’s holistic approach to relationship-building and impact.
FHS Africa 2025 is poised to be a landmark event that not only defines the next chapter of hospitality development in Africa but also serves as a catalyst for transformative partnerships, strategic insights, and sustainable growth.
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