Brought to you by The Bench
For FHS Africa, our objective is to enhance networking opportunities by introducing innovative and engaging formats that foster meaningful connections among delegates. The program is carefully designed to encourage greater interaction between attendees and speakers, ensuring valuable discussions and insights.
Speaking opportunities are offered at the discretion of the organising team and are assessed based on relevant expertise and the value of the proposed contribution. To apply as a speaker, please contact Mala Patel at mala.patel@thebench.com
FHS Africa 2027 Agenda
Monday 01 February
16:00 - 18:00 2 hours
Speed Networking
18:00 - 20:00 2 hours
Welcome Reception
Tuesday 02 February
08:00 - 09:00 1 hour
Summit Stage
Registration & Networking
09:30 - 09:45 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Welcome to FHS Africa 2027
09:40 - 10:00 20 minutes
Summit Stage
OPENING KEYNOTE Africa 2035:
Building the Next Global Tourism Powerhouse
10:00 - 10:30 30 minutes
Summit Stage
A Seat at the Table:
Tourism’s Rising Political Priority in Africa
10:30 - 11:30 1 hour
Summit Stage
DEVELOPMENT REALITY CHECK
10:30 - 11:30 1 hour
Summit Stage
Pipeline Watch:
Investment Hotspots & the Future of Hospitality Expansion in Africa
10:30 - 11:30 1 hour
Summit Stage
Signed. Announced. Never Opened? Fixing Africa’s Hotel Delivery Gap
11:30 - 12:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Networking Break
12:00 - 12:15 15 minutes
Summit Stage
FIRESIDE CHAT:
The Long Game
12:15 - 12:45 30 minutes
Summit Stage
The Big Bet:
What Will Define Africa’s Next Hospitality Decade?
12:45 - 13:00 15 minutes
Summit Stage
FIRESIDE CHAT The Power of Investment:
Capitalism with a Conscience?
13:00 - 14:00 1 hour
Summit Stage
Lunch & Networking
14:00 - 14:45 45 minutes
Summit Stage
FIRESIDE CHAT No More Easy Answers:
A Candid Conversation with a Global CEO on Africa’s Capital, Risk and Growth
14:30 - 15:15 45 minutes
Knowledge Station
Breaking Ground:
Why Building in Africa Takes Time - and How to Fix It
14:30 - 15:15 45 minutes
Breaking Ground:
Why Building in Africa Takes Time - and How to Fix It
14:30 - 15:15 45 minutes
Pioneer Camp
Franchise or HMA? Choosing the Right Operating Model
14:45 - 15:00 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Making Africa Bankable:
What Will It Take to Get Hospitality Deals Funded?
15:00 - 15:30 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Mind the Gap:
Africa’s Midscale Opportunity
15:30 - 16:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Networking Break
15:30 - 16:15 45 minutes
Knowledge Station
The Feasibility Clinic:
Underwriting Hotels in Data-Poor Markets
15:30 - 16:15 45 minutes
Pioneer Camp
Read the Fine Print:
Understanding the Economics of Hotel Management Agreements
16:30 - 17:15 45 minutes
Knowledge Station
The Capital Stack Clinic:
How to Fund the Deal When Traditional Debt Doesn’t Work
16:30 - 17:15 45 minutes
Pioneer Camp
The Conversion Clinic:
From Independent to Branded in 12 Months
17:30 - 19:00 1 hour 30 minutes
Networking Reception
Wednesday 03 February
06:00 - 07:00 1 hour
Charity Run
09:00 - 10:00 1 hour
Summit Stage
Executive Investor Breakfast & Project Showcase
09:00 - 09:45 45 minutes
Knowledge Station
What’s Your Hotel Really Worth? The Valuation Masterclass
09:00 - 09:45 45 minutes
Pioneer Camp
The Talent Bottleneck:
Building Africa’s Hospitality Leadership from Within
10:00 - 10:45 45 minutes
Knowledge Station
Project Showcase:
Investing in Uganda’s Tourism Future
10:00 - 10:45 45 minutes
Pioneer Camp
The Practical AI Clinic:
What to Deploy, What It Costs, What Actually Works
10:30 - 10:35 5 minutes
Summit Stage
Opening of Day Two
10:35 - 10:55 20 minutes
Summit Stage
No Hype, Just Hotels:
The Economics Behind the Asset
10:55 - 11:30 35 minutes
Summit Stage
Who Will Own Africa’s Hotels? From Independent Assets to Scalable Platforms
11:30 - 12:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
East Meets Africa:
The New Capital and Travel Flows Reshaping Hospitality
12:00 - 12:30 30 minutes
Summit Stage
The Capital Paradox:
Plenty of Appetite, Not Enough Affordable Debt
12:30 - 13:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
FHS Africa Awards
13:00 - 14:00 1 hour
Summit Stage
Lunch & Networking
14:00 - 14:30 30 minutes
Summit Stage
The Power of Place:
Positioning Africa for Global Tourism
14:30 - 15:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Ready for Take-Off:
Can Aviation Turn a Sporting Moment into a Tourism Legacy?
15:00 - 15:30 30 minutes
Summit Stage
CLOSING KEYNOTE
15:00 - 15:45 45 minutes
Knowledge Station
The Status Economy:
Why Branded Residences Could Win in Africa
15:00 - 15:45 45 minutes
Pioneer Camp
Green by Design:
The Roadmap to Building Certification
15:30 - 16:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Networking Break
16:00 - 17:30 1 hour 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Pathways for Future Leaders:
Insights from Hospitality’s Best
16:00 - 16:45 45 minutes
Knowledge Station
The Lodge Economics Clinic:
Making Conservation-Led Hospitality Investable
16:00 - 16:45 45 minutes
Pioneer Camp
The EU Rulebook:
What It Means for African Tourism