The dates are set for Meetings Africa and Indaba 2025.
Business events trade show Meetings Africa, is set to take place from February 24 to 26 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, in partnership with the Gauteng Tourism Authority and Johannesburg Tourism Company.
Africa’s Travel Indaba will take place from May 12 to 15 at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Convention Centre in Durban in partnership with Durban Tourism and Tourism KwaZulu-Natal and the KwaZulu-Natal Film Commission.
Meetings Africa
Meetings Africa focuses on highlighting the African business events products and promoting closer collaboration for the sector’s growth. Meetings Africa 2025 will kick off with a Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONDay) on February 24, providing a platform for professionals to forge new partnerships, explore collaborative ventures, and gain invaluable insights from industry experts.
Under the theme, ‘Africa’s Success Built on Quality Connections’, Meetings Africa emphasises the importance of forging strong, meaningful relationships in driving the continent's economic progress and industry innovation. The trade show will also provide a platform to showcase Africa’s leading and diverse business event offerings to decision-makers from key source markets worldwide.
Key statistics from Meetings Africa 2024
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382 exhibitors representing 22 African countries displayed the diverse and dynamic nature of the continent's tourism landscape.
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371 international and local buyers were in attendance, with a total of 3 480 delegates engaged in the event, underscoring its significance in the global MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) calendar.
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Over 8 150 meetings were conducted between buyers and exhibitors, highlighting the event's role in creating substantial business opportunities.
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The airline pavilion featured nine airlines, emphasising the critical role of aviation in connecting the continent.
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25 SMMEs (Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises) displayed their innovative solutions, demonstrating Africa's entrepreneurial spirit.
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179 members of the media provided extensive coverage, amplifying the event's reach and impact.
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In total, 63 countries were represented.
"Meetings Africa 2025 is not just a trade show; it's a catalyst for business success," said Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille. "We look forward to welcoming exhibitors and buyers from our continent and from around the world to South Africa.
“Meetings Africa 2024 has had a significant impact on South Africa’s economy, contributing R420 million to the GDP and creating over 770 jobs. The event showcased the strength of South Africa’s business events industry as a key driver of economic growth, generating R27 million in national tax revenue and providing significant business opportunities for exhibitors.”
Africa’s Travel Indaba
Africa’s Travel Indaba focuses on showcasing the African continent’s leisure tourism products and promoting partnerships geared towards advancing the continent’s growth. It also leads with a Business Opportunity Networking Day (BONday) featuring industry and business experts and leaders sharing knowledge.
The 2024 edition of Africa’s Travel Indaba hosted 9 280 registered delegates, marking a 7% increase over 2023. A total of 24 000 meetings were held between exhibitors and buyers. Additionally, the event featured over 1 200 exhibitors who displayed an impressive array of African tourism products and experiences.
The economic activities triggered by Africa’s Travel Indaba, from event infrastructure to accommodation establishments, restaurants, and shuttle services, were significant.
The direct economic impact on the city was R226 million, with a spillover effect contributing an additional R333 million. The overall contribution to the city's GDP exceeded R500 million, indicating significant economic benefits and over 1 000 jobs created, especially for the youth.
“For Africa’s Travel Indaba we look forward to working with all our partners to showcase the city of Durban and the greater Kwa Zulu-Natal province once again and, indeed, the rest of our country.
“Given the continent’s wide variety of tourism products and experiences, Africa’s Travel Indaba showcases a wide variety of exhibitors and continues to be the best Pan Africa leisure global trade show for all our buyers, exhibitors, media and other stakeholders,” said De Lille.
