Africa rides business tourism boom as South Africa hosts historic G20 Summit

AFRICA’S business tourism sector is gaining strong momentum, boosted by South Africa’s successful hosting of the continent's first-ever G20 Summit last week.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

Travel management company FCM says 2025 has emerged as a standout year for Africa’s economic expansion, second only to Asia and now exceeding global growth averages.

According to the African Development Bank Group, 11 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies are African.

These include Niger (11.2%), Senegal (8.2%), Libya (7.9%), Rwanda (7.2%), Céte d'Ivoire (6.8%), Ethiopia (6.7%), Benin (6.4%), Djibouti (6.2%), Tanzania (6.1%), Togo (6%), and Uganda (6%).

FCM noted rising aviation activity across the continent, with major carriers such as United Airlines, Delta and Air France launching new routes to key African cities, including Dakar, Accra, Marrakech and Lagos.