Registration

Investor Council

Newcomers Welcome

Matthew Weihs

MD
the Bench

Lunch

Discussion Groups

A facilitated roundtable discussion centering on prominent trends and challenges within the hospitality sector. Participants will engage in dialogue and gain insights into a specific industry topic.

Domestic Demand Generator – how can big brands become more attractive for the local market?

Management Agreements and Franchise Models as Viable Strategies in Emerging Markets?

Scott Antel

Founder & Owner
Scotts FZ LLE

What is the best use for AI in training talent in Africa?

Johan Steyn

Chief Executive Officer
Artificial Intelligence for Business

Workshop - Decoding Investment Opportunities in African Tourism Destinations

Naiara López Giner

Associate Manager – Tourism Advisory Lead, Hospitality & Tourism
Colliers in MENA

Workshop - Invest in Namibia

Moderator

Peter Greenberg

Travel Editor
CBS News

In conversation with

Francois van Schalkwyk

Executive Director
NIPDB

Charting the Course:
Balancing Development Costs and Supply Acquisition Strategies in the Hospitality Industry

Khalil Manji

Partner
CHIC

Hidden Asset of Female Power in Hospitality

Anne Biging

CEO & Founder
Healing-Hotels

Is Conservation Big Business? Private Sector Impact on Africa's Conservation

Joe Pietersen

Founder
Nkombe Rhino NPC

YPO Networking Reception

Coffee Break

Workshop - Elevating Hospitality:
Addressing Global Skills Deficiency in Tourism

Discovering the balance between investment in infrastructure and investment in human capital, while examining the role of AI - a solution or a setback for the industry's retention issues? 

Tonderayi Prosper Mageza

Consulting Expert
UNESCO-UNEVOC

Workshop - What are the lessons learned from Mature Markets in Destination Development?

Sundowner Speed Networking

Welcome Reception at Movenpick Hotel Windhoek

Hosted by Kasada Capital Management

Registration and Refreshments

Welcome Remarks

Moderator

Thami Nkadimeng

The Message Architect
Thami Nkadimeng Group

In conversation with

Matthew Weihs

MD
the Bench

Official Welcome

Nangula Uaandja

Chief Executive Officer
Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board (NIPDB)

Africa in the New Global Geopolitical Order:
The Impact on the Hospitality Industry

As the world undergoes significant geopolitical shifts, Africa's role and influence are becoming increasingly pronounced.

Lullu Krugel

Partner, Strategy& and Chief Economist
PwC South Africa

Setting the Scene for Destination & Hotel Development in Africa

Philip Wooller

Senior Director
STR

Government Initiatives to support the Hospitality Industry

The role of Government in developing sustainable tourism across the continent in emphasizing the potential for collaborative efforts among various countries to promote similar initiatives.

Peter Greenberg

Travel Editor
CBS News

Fireside Chat

Moderator

Peter Greenberg

Travel Editor
CBS News

In conversation with

Haitham Mattar

Special Advisor, UNWTO
Managing Director MEA & South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Coffee Break

Setting the Scene:
Assessing Market Dynamics through an Investor's Lens

Wayne Godwin

Co-Chief Executive Officer, JLL Africa
Head, JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Africa

Investing with Insight:
Strategies for Implementing Optimal Capital Structures in High-Interest Rate Environments

How to capitalize on emerging opportunities on the continent while devising strategic exit plans simultaneously.

Moderator

Wayne Godwin

Co-Chief Executive Officer, JLL Africa
Head, JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group, Africa

In conversation with

Olivier Granet

Managing Partner & Co-Chief Executive Officer
Kasada Capital Management

Fahad Kazim

Chief Executive Officer
Millennium Hotels & Resorts & Lakhraim Group

Marc Wachsberger

CEO
Capital Hotels & Apartments

Folaseto Akin Olugbade

Investment Professional
Actis

What’s whetting Investors’ Appetite for Resorts?

Moderator

Naiara López Giner

Associate Manager – Tourism Advisory Lead, Hospitality & Tourism
Colliers in MENA

In conversation with

Heddo Siebs

Chief Executive Officer - Hotel & Hospitality Portfolio
Albwardy Investment

Karim Cheltout

Regional Vice President, Lodging Development Africa & All-Inclusive EMEA
Marriott

Artur Gerber

Managing Director
TUI BLUE

Urban Sophistication to Untapped Horizons:
Diving into New Ventures in Hospitality

Moderator

Peter Greenberg

Travel Editor
CBS News

In conversation with

Jameel Verjee

Founder & CEO
CityBlue Hotels (a member of The Diar Group)

Lunch

Capitalizing Growth:
Spotlight on Active Development Financial Institutions

What do active DFIs and commercial banks require to commit and at what cost?

Moderator

Mark Dunford

Chief Executive Officer
Knight Frank

In conversation with

John Steytler

Chief Executive Officer
Development Bank of Namibia

Ewan Cameron

Director, Africa
Westmont Hospitality

Assessing the Significance and Economic Viability of International Brands in African Destinations

Moderator

Fiona Craw

Vice President – Hotels & Hospitality Group, Sub-Saharan Africa
JLL Africa

In conversation with

Rahul Chaudhary

Managing Director
CG Corp Global & CG Hospitality Holdings

Bani Haddad

Founder & Managing Director
Aleph Hospitality

Haddis Tilahun

Founder & Chairman
United Africa Group

In the Pipeline

Trevor Ward

Managing Director
W Hospitality Group

Crafting Success:
A Comprehensive Journey through Hotel Project Development in Africa

Decoding the process of building a hotel from its inception by focusing on the key players and a well-defined project scope.

Moderator

Turab Saleem

Partner ‑ Head of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Advisory ‑ MENA
Knight Frank

In conversation with

Erwan Garnier

Senior Director Development
Radisson Hotel Group

Khalil Manji

Partner
CHIC

AHIF AWARDS

AHIF 2024 Outstanding Achievement Award

AHIF 2024 Creating Impact Award

Matthew Weihs

MD
the Bench

Coffee Break

The Urbanisation and changing Demographics in Africa and how it will shape the Future of Humanity

Aradhana Khowala

CEO & Founder
Aptamind Partners

Hotelification of the Workplace:
Introducing A New Asset Class for Hospitality Investors on the Continent

Michael Aldridge

Founder & CEO
KOFISI

Hotelification of the Workplace:
Introducing A New Asset Class for Hospitality Investors on the Continent

This session goes beyond the traditional real estate investment, introducing alternative asset classes tailored for hospitality investors.

Moderator

Dr. Mmatsatsi Ramawela

Managing Director
Africa Tourism Connect

In conversation with

Michael Aldridge

Founder & CEO
KOFISI

Our Greatest Asset:
Nurturing the Power of People

How to foster a positive change in the hospitality industry across the African continent by advancing principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and addressing gender disparities in leadership roles.

Moderator

Tonderayi Prosper Mageza

Consulting Expert
UNESCO-UNEVOC

In conversation with

Lee-Anne Singer

Chairperson
FEDHASA Cape

Recap of the Day

Thami Nkadimeng

The Message Architect
Thami Nkadimeng Group

Evening Reception at Droombos Vineyard Country Lodge

Charity Run

Refreshments

Welcome Back

Thami Nkadimeng

The Message Architect
Thami Nkadimeng Group

Skybound Synergy:
Public-Private Partnerships for Enhanced Aviation Connectivity

This session focuses on the imperative for collaboration between private stakeholders, public entities, and key airlines.

Moderator

Jon Howell

Founder and CEO
AviaDev Africa

In conversation with

Andre Compion

Managing Director
FlyNamibia

Bisey Uirab

Chief Executive Officer
Namibia Airports Company

A New Dawn:
Pioneering the Rise of Lifestyle Hospitality Brands in Africa's Urban and Leisure Destinations

JS Anand

Founder & CEO
Leva Hotels

Markus Lehnert

SVP International Hotel Development
Marriott International, Inc.

Wytze van den Berg

Vice President International Operations EMEA/ Vice President EMEA WorldHotels
BWH Hotels

TenX Leadership Talks:
Sustainability from a Namibian Tourism Perspective

Gys Joubert

Managing Director
Gondwana Collection

Charity Presentation

Coffee Break

Innovating Hospitality:
How AI is shaping Africa's Tourism

Johan Steyn

Chief Executive Officer
Artificial Intelligence for Business

Guests' Quest for Unique Experiences:
The African Approach to Authentic Leisure while conserving Heritage and local Communities

Understanding the shift in tourist preferences to meet the growing demand for distinctive and authentic experiences by travelers

Moderator

Peter Greenberg

Travel Editor
CBS News

In conversation with

David Vely

VP Regional Development (Middle East & Africa)
Club Med

Gys Joubert

Managing Director
Gondwana Collection

Amos Wekesa

Chief Executive Officer
Great Lake Safaris

Wesam Okasha

Head of Global Development
TUI BLUE

Conscious Hospitality:
Preserving Africa's Natural Heritage

Highlighting the social, environmental, and economic impact of sustainable hospitality by taking a closer look at tangible projects in Africa. How equipped is the continent for more sustainable guest experiences?

Moderator

Thami Nkadimeng

The Message Architect
Thami Nkadimeng Group

In conversation with

Jutta Berns

Head of Sustainability
Karingani Game Reserve

Chris Nader

Co-Founder & CEO
ENVI Lodges

KADDU KIWE SEBUNYA

Chief Executive Officer
African Wildlife Foundation

Handover to AHIF 2025 & Farewell

Matthew Weihs

MD
the Bench

Lunch

Hospitality Leaders Unplugged:
Ask Us Anything

An interactive round of Q/A with top leaders in the industry - moderated by the young leaders of NIPDB Youth Leadership Program.

Moderator

Tonderayi Prosper Mageza

Consulting Expert
UNESCO-UNEVOC

In conversation with

Lee-Anne Singer

Chairperson
FEDHASA Cape