Togo has been named as the host country for this year’s additional Africa Investment Forum [AHIF] following expected economic boom in the country.
AHIF conferences bring together major international investors, business leaders, government ministers and top officials from across Africa.
The plans to host an AHIF conference in Togo’s capital, Lomé in April is due to two major development initiatives designed to enhance the country’s standing as a strategic investment destination for business and tourism by the country’s Ministry of Commerce, Industry, Private Sector Promotion and Tourism.
Lomé’s new airport terminal is expected to increase passenger capacity from 400,000 to two million, and triple the international airport’s passenger and cargo potential. It will accommodate direct flights from Cairo, Turkey and Dubai. Within the next decade the expansion of the capital’s sea port will triple its capacity, to 1.2 million containers a year.
According to the Managing Director of Bench Events, Matthew Weihs, organizers of AHIF, “our decision to host an additional AHIF conference in Lomé comes at a pivotal time for Togo. Business and tourism is growing and we’re confident this will fuel increased demand for hotel capacity.
We believe the airport and port expansion will trigger other infrastructure projects, presenting significant opportunities for business and tourism. Togo is increasingly becoming an important investment destination.”
AHIF conference is scheduled for April 5 – 6 at the newly opened Radisson Blu 2 Fevrier Hotel. It will give delegates the chance to discuss the challenges and opportunities of investing and developing in the country.
The country’s tourism minister, Bernadette Essossimna Legzim-Balouki, is upbeat about the conference, as she said that: “Our government is keen to see sustainable economic growth, and travel and tourism is a major contributor to that effort. Of course we face a number of challenges, and discussion between government and business, such as at AHIF, will help us find the best way forward.”
Togo attracts a variety of tourist visitors keen to explore its beautiful scenery and enjoy its tropical climate. Latest figures from the World Travel and Tourism Council show that travel and tourism directly accounted for 3.1% of total Gross Domestic Product [GDP] in 2014 and is forecast to rise by 6% in 2015, and by a further 2.2% each year from 2015 to 2025.
On a wider analysis, the total contribution of travel and tourism to GDP was 6.7% in 2014 and is forecast to rise by 5.4% by the end of 2015.
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