Windhoek, Namibia – The 6th Africa Youth in Tourism Innovation Summit & Challenge ended on May 31, 2024, with a dynamic panel discussion centered on leveraging intra-Africa travel to harness the commercial benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the world’s most youth and women-friendly trade agreement. The event, hosted by Namibia’s Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism, spanned four days from May 28 to 31, focusing on youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and small enterprise development.
Gideon Asare, CEO of Adansi Travels in Ghana, urged African youth to embrace the opportunities presented by AfCFTA despite significant challenges. Gideon emphasized the importance of unrestricted movement for fostering economic growth and collaboration across the continent.
“If as a youth I’m not able to move freely from my country to the next country … as a youth I’m so restricted. I need to apply for visas, get bank statements; how do I seek these opportunities?” Gideon questioned, highlighting the bureaucratic barriers that impede young entrepreneurs from capitalizing on cross-border trade and tourism.
The panelists discussed the critical need for educational reforms to equip youth with the necessary skills and knowledge to navigate the complexities of AfCFTA. “How are we preparing the youth in terms of training and skills?” Gideon asked, emphasizing the need for curricula that address contemporary challenges. “Have we changed the curricula? Are we teaching the youth how to overcome the challenges of cross-border trade? Or are we still teaching the old stuff?”
Digital literacy and cultural intelligence were highlighted as vital tools for success in the modern business environment. Gideon advised the youth to, “Make use of digital resources. So whatever you are learning in school, know that that alone can’t cut it.” Sharing his company’s experience in entering the Nigerian market, he noted, “When we wanted to enter the Nigerian market, sentiments, culture, and emotional intelligence were key in crafting our products to suit the local market. We had to tweak it.”
Networking and strategic partnerships were also underscored as crucial strategies for business expansion under AfCFTA. “Take advantage of platforms like this summit to network. One way to move to another country with your business is to have a local partner,” Gideon recommended.
The summit aims to nurture young African entrepreneurs by fostering a supportive network that maximizes leadership potential and drives transformative change. It provides a platform for showcasing tourism-related businesses, offering market access, mentorship, and funding solutions. The event also aims to inspire and equip youth with innovative solutions to propel Africa’s tourism sector forward.
As the summit concluded, participants departed with renewed determination and actionable insights on overcoming the barriers to youth entrepreneurship in tourism. The discussions emphasized the need for policy reforms, enhanced digital education, and cross-cultural understanding, which are crucial for realizing the full benefits of AfCFTA and transforming Africa’s tourism landscape.
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