Tour operators are widely regarded as the backbone of Africa’s tourism sector. Through the curation of authentic cultural experiences, facilitation of cross-border travel, promotion of destinations, and advancement of sustainability practices, they continue to play a central role in driving the growth and development of the continent’s travel industry.
In recognition of these contributions, ATQNews has officially opened nominations for the Africa Travel 100 Awards 2026, designed to honour top tour operators across Africa who have demonstrated excellence, innovation, leadership, and outstanding impact in the growth of African tourism. The awards ceremony will take place on September 14th, 2026, during the Tour Operators Summit, at the 22nd edition of AKWAABA African Travel Market at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria.
Eligibility for nomination requires that participants must have at least five (5) years of experience in selling outbound tours into Africa, sell tours into other African countries, must have done at least five 5 tours to any African country in the last 18 months, must be based in Africa, they can be nominated by a past winner of Africa Travel 100 Awards as an endorsement while tour Operators are allowed to nominate themselves if they meet the criteria but must be endorsed by a tour operator from another country.
The AKWAABA African Travel Market remains the biggest and only travel expo in West Africa, providing a leading platform for recognition, networking, and industry engagement. The 3-day event brings together key stakeholders across the tourism and travel ecosystem and features major highlights such as the African Food Fair, Medical Tourism Expo, Africa Youth Tourism Bantaba, Wonders of Nigeria Expo, and the Aviation & Cargo Conference.
Over the years, AKWAABA African Travel Market has consistently hosted editions of the Africa Travel 100 Awards, including recognitions for Top 100 Travel Companies in West Africa in 2016, Africa Travel 100 Women in 2017, Africa Travel 100 Tour Operators in 2018, Africa Travel 100 Global Personalities in 2019, Africa Travel 100 Women in 2022, Africa Travel 100 Under 40 in 2023, Africa Travel 100 Global Leaders in 2024, and Africa Travel 100 Women in 2025.
The platform has grown to become one of the most important tourism marketing events in the region, attracting participants, exhibitors, and awardees from across Africa and beyond, including countries such as The Gambia, Kenya, Benin, Uganda, the United Arab Emirates, Ghana, Seychelles, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Ghana, Tanzania, South Africa, Turkey, Namibia, Togo, India, São Tomé and Príncipe, Malta, the Netherlands, Bahrain, the Bahamas, Spain, Morocco, and many others.
Over the years, AKWAABA has also hosted several distinguished personalities including Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former President Dawda Jawara of The Gambia, former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth Sir Emeka Anyaoku, and former Vice President of Nigeria Sir Alex Ekwueme. The event continues to attract Ministers of Tourism, State Governors, Ambassadors, and High Commissioners from across Africa and beyond.
ATQNews encourages eligible tour operators across Africa to participate and submit their nominations for recognition at one of the continent’s most prestigious tourism award platforms.
