The Africa-International Tourism and Economic Council (AITEC World), on Monday, called for greater African integration through tourism, trade and investment to accelerate sustainable economic development across the continent.

The organisation also unveiled two major international tourism events aimed at strengthening Africa’s position in the global tourism economy.

President of AITEC World, Amb. Dine Bouraima, disclosed this in a statement after a press conference at the Republic of Benin, under the theme, “Tourism as a Catalyst for Global Sustainable Economic Development.”

Bouraima described the press conference as the beginning of a continental movement aimed at redefining Africa’s tourism and economic future.

The conference attracted government officials, diplomats, tourism leaders, investors, development partners, airline executives, hotel operators, international organisations and media representatives from across Africa and beyond.

The group also noted that its 3rd Official Global Launch will be on November 2, 2026, at the Hilton London, United Kingdom, on the sidelines of the World Travel Market (WTM) London 2026.

Bouraima said: “Today, we are not gathered simply to announce two events. We are here to launch a movement, a movement for a better-connected Africa, where Africans travel more freely, investors move with greater ease, businesses trade without unnecessary barriers, and tourism becomes a true catalyst for sustainable economic development.”

He explained that both the London Global Launch and the Africa Tourism Dialogue share a common objective of positioning tourism as a driver of investment, trade, job creation, international cooperation and Africa’s sustainable economic development.

Highlighting Africa’s enormous opportunities, Bouraima said the continent is home to nearly 1.5 billion people, with projections indicating the population could reach 2.5 billion by 2050. He also noted that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has created the world’s largest free trade area by the number of participating countries.

He cited global tourism statistics showing that the world recorded more than 1.52 billion international tourist arrivals in 2025, while Africa welcomed nearly 100 million international visitors. He added that Africa’s travel and tourism sector is projected to contribute about US$241 billion to the continent’s economy in 2026 while supporting more than 31 million jobs.

Despite the encouraging outlook, Bouraima lamented the persistent barriers facing African travellers. Adding that, “We continue to make travel difficult. We continue to have some of the highest airfares in the world. We continue to require visas from our own African brothers and sisters. How can we speak of economic integration when travelling between two African countries is sometimes more difficult than travelling to another continent?”

Quoting African industrialist Aliko Dangote, he added: “If somebody like myself needs 38 visas to travel across Africa, how can I invest?”

Bouraima said the remark reflects the frustrations of millions of Africans, stressing that without easier mobility there can be no meaningful trade, investment or regional integration.

He commended the recent ECOWAS initiative to reduce air transport costs within West Africa and praised President Alassane Ouattara and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire for becoming the first country to implement the regional decision.

He urged other ECOWAS member states to follow suit while advocating broader continental reforms.

Bouraima also commended countries that have adopted visa-free or liberal entry policies for fellow Africans, including Benin, Rwanda, Seychelles, The Gambia, Ghana, Togo and Kenya.

He disclosed that AITEC World hopes that by 2031, at least 27 African countries will have fully implemented visa-free travel for all African citizens.

“When Africans move freely, investment increases. Trade expands. Tourism grows. Businesses flourish. Jobs are created. Our continent becomes stronger. Tourism is not an end in itself. Tourism is the gateway to investment, trade, economic cooperation and sustainable development,” he said.

He concluded with a call for greater continental unity, saying Africa’s future depends on building a continent where people move freely, businesses invest without unnecessary barriers and tourism serves as a powerful driver of shared prosperity.

It also unveiled the 2nd Africa Tourism Dialogue (ATD 2026), scheduled for November 12–14, 2026, at the headquarters of the African Union and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as the official tourism component of Africa Celebrates 2026.

AITEC World’s Vice President for Communications and International Relations, Amb. Kazeem Balogun, outlined the organisation’s global vision and highlighted the strategic importance of the forthcoming Africa Tourism Dialogue.

The council reaffirmed its commitment to positioning tourism as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth, investment promotion, trade facilitation, regional integration, cultural diplomacy, innovation, public-private partnerships and the free movement of people, goods and services across Africa.

According to the organisation, tourism should no longer be viewed merely as a leisure industry but as one of Africa’s strongest economic transformation tools capable of creating jobs, attracting foreign direct investment and accelerating continental development.