First Ever World Public Summit to Be Held in Africa to Promote Global Business Travel

Chinedu Eze World Peoples Assembly is organising the first-ever World Public Summit in Africa to bring together hundreds of delegates from across the continent and beyond. The conference to be held in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, is slated for July 29–30, 2026 to highlight the growing role of business travel in connecting people, ideas and investment across the continent. The body said that international conferences have become increasingly important drivers of tourism and economic growth in the world, disclosing that the summit will welcome government leaders, diplomats, entrepreneurs, academics, investors, innovators, media professionals and artists, creating opportunities that extend far beyond the conference venue. The theme of the conference is, “A New World: Africa in Shaping a Shared Future,” and the event is expected to reflect a broader trend reshaping global travel. World Peoples Assembly also noted that business travel is increasingly blending with leisure, with delegates extending trips to explore local attractions, cultural experiences and regional destinations—a phenomenon that continues to fuel demand for airlines, hotels, restaurants, tour operators and destination experiences across Africa. “For today’s business traveller, major international gatherings have become gateways to discovering new destinations, building cross-border partnerships and experiencing local culture alongside professional networking. Secretary-General of the World Peoples Assembly, Andrey Belyaninov, said, “Travel has always been about more than moving from one place to another. When people gather to exchange ideas, they also discover cultures, build trust and create partnerships that continue long after the event ends.” Belyaninov said the summit will also demonstrate how international events are becoming powerful catalysts for travel. Alongside policy discussions and business forums, delegates will experience one of Africa’s largest contemporary art exhibitions, featuring artists from 16 African countries, as well as cultural performances, networking events and exhibitions that celebrate the continent’s diversity. The Africa edition forms part of the expanding World Public Summit series, with the international dialogue continuing at another flagship summit in Russia this September. Together, the events illustrate how global conferences are creating year-round travel opportunities while strengthening international connections between business, culture, and diplomacy. He said that for travel professionals, the summit reflects the continued growth of Africa’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector, which is attracting a new generation of globally minded travellers seeking experiences that combine business, culture and meaningful connections. The body observed that as airlines expand networks, visa policies evolve and international events become more frequent across the continent, Africa is strengthening its position as a destination not only for leisure travellers, but also for entrepreneurs, investors, creatives and professionals looking to engage with one of the world’s most dynamic regions. Belyaninov also said, “Holding the World Public Summit in Addis Ababa is a recognition of Africa’s role as one of the centres shaping a new world. Today, we understand more clearly than ever: the future cannot be built alone. It is born in dialogue, in trust, in the ability to listen to one another and to act together. “That is why our Summit is not just a meeting — it is a space for unity. A space where the ‘values that unite us’ come to life: respect for people, openness to the world, responsibility for the future, and a commitment to creation.”