Zambia Elected Chair of UN Tourism Africa in Unanimous Vote
Zambia has been unanimously elected to chair the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) for the 2025–2027 term, marking a significant milestone in the country’s growing leadership in African tourism. The announcement was made during the 68th session of the Commission held in Abuja, Nigeria.
Zambia’s Minister of Tourism, Honourable Rodney Sikumba, MP, will assume the Chairmanship and spearhead efforts to foster sustainable tourism development and regional cooperation across the continent.
The Commission also elected Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Honourable Hannatu Musa Musawa, and Angola’s Minister of Hotels and Tourism, Honourable Marcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, as Vice Chairpersons.
Zambia’s elevation to the Chairmanship underscores the continent’s confidence in its leadership. Minister Sikumba hailed the unanimous vote as a “vote of trust and solidarity” from African nations and pledged to use the platform to promote Destination Zambia and push for a unified African tourism agenda on the global stage.
In a further endorsement of its commitment to tourism development, Zambia was also re-elected to the UN Tourism Executive Council for the 2025–2029 period. It joins Angola, Zimbabwe, Seychelles, and Kenya on the governing body tasked with overseeing the global implementation of UN Tourism’s mandate.
In his address, Honourable Sikumba expressed sincere appreciation to fellow African member states for their support and reaffirmed Zambia’s dedication to advancing tourism growth across Africa.
He also paid tribute to outgoing UN Tourism Secretary-General Mr. Zurab Pololikashvili, thanking him for his contributions to African tourism and wishing him well in his future endeavors.
