2024’s Top 10 Places Business Travelers are Flocking to in Africa

In 2024, four years after the breakout of the global Covid-19 crisis, it is almost safe to say that the pandemic has become a distant memory for many of us. The most obvious way to determine that this is true is by having a look into the recent travel and tourism statistics. The World Economic Forum has published an article in May 2024 stating that the travel and tourism industry are officially back to pre-pandemic levels.

This does not negate the fact that challenges still exist. Companies are attempting to navigate their way to success through geopolitical and environmental risks, growing scrutiny of sustainability practices, and the effect of new digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence. However, the current travel and tourism statistics are looking promising and enable us to look into the future with optimism. This claim is supported by the aforementioned article from the World Economic Forum which stated,

‘’ The global tourism industry is expected to recover from the lows of the COVID-19 pandemic and surpass the levels seen before the crisis. This is largely being driven by a significant increase in demand worldwide, which has coincided with more available flights, better international openness, and increased interest and investment in natural and cultural attractions’’.

African companies and corporations found themselves relieved and thrilled at the developments that followed the reopening of borders. In the business travel industry particularly, companies have been excited to embark on the road to recovery, resume on-site operations and reconnect with the rest of the globe.

Better yet, African companies and corporations have adopted a new positive outlook towards the pandemic and consider it an incident to have learned valuable business lessons from, rather than merely perceiving it as a hindrance.

The IOL has reaffirmed that business travelers and travel management companies agree that working with so many industries during the pandemic have allowed them to formulate thorough travel risk strategies for different sectors. In doing so, they have come to learn that each company has different needs required to overcome their set of travel risks. A Return to Travel Framework has therefore since been developed to assist in providing direction for the companies, as well as for the purpose of empowering customers to take confident action when it comes to resuming business travel.

With new developments in the loop and excitement and progression buzzing around every corner of the business travel industry, it would be an injustice not to shine a light on the African economies that are leading the way post-pandemic.

Business travelers from all around the world are choosing to flock into these African cities for numerous reasons other than just their extremely lucrative and strong economies. Other appealing factors that typically attract international business travelers include things such as the state of the city’s infrastructure, the standard of its real estate and standard of living, the quality of life in those cities, as well as other factors such as tourism potential.

Top 10 destinations for business trips in Africa for 2024

1. Marrakech, Morocco: As Morocco’s fourth largest city, Marrakech is a favorite among tourists for dream holidays. Marrakech does not merely appeal to vacationers but is also an excellent destination for business trips, offering a blend of business opportunities and a relaxing atmosphere. Since 2012, the city has seen significant development in tourist facilities, including hotels, golf courses, and health spas. These improvements have greatly boosted the local and national economy by creating numerous jobs and attracting thousands of visitors each year.

 

2. Lagos, Nigeria: As the economic powerhouse of West Africa, Nigeria presents abundant business opportunities for travelers. Lagos is the country’s commercial capital and a prime destination for business travelers looking to engage with Nigeria’s booming markets. Lagos is home to the headquarters of most of the country’s commercial banks, financial institutions, and major corporations. Often referred to as “Africa’s Silicon Valley,” Lagos hosts 5 of the 7 African tech start-ups valued over 1 billion euros.

 

3. Cape Town, South Africa: Cape Town is a vibrant, cosmopolitan city surrounded by natural beauty. Home to the famous Table Mountain, one of the New 7 Wonders of the World, the Mother City is renowned for its stunning beaches, copious biodiversity, award-winning cuisine and wine, and diverse experiences. Cape Town is South Africa’s second main economic center and Africa’s third primary economic hub. The city boasts the highest number of successful information technology companies on the continent, making it a crucial hub for the industry.

4. Nairobi, Kenya: Nairobi is East Africa’s most cosmopolitan city and Kenya’s dynamic and bustling capital. It contrasts the rest of the country’s untouched natural beauty with its energetic urban environment. Nairobi hosts the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), which is one of Africa’s largest stock exchanges, officially recognised by the London Stock Exchange. Nairobi also houses the headquarters of several of Africa’s largest companies, including Safaricom, Kenya’s most profitable company, KenGen, the largest African stock outside South Africa, and Kenya Airways, Africa’s fourth largest airline.

 

5. Cairo, Egypt: Cairo is synonymous with ancient Egypt and is located near the Giza pyramid complex and the historic cities of Memphis and Heliopolis. Cairo is home to 11% of Egypt’s population and 22% of its economy. The city generates the majority of the nation’s commerce and is the center for most of Egypt’s publishing houses, media outlets, film studios, hospitals, and universities. Cairo is the driving force of the country’s rapid urban development, termed “hyper-urbanisation”.

 

6. Mombasa, Kenya: Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city and primary seaport, is a premier tourist destination on the country’s eastern coastline. Known for its beautiful beaches, diverse marine life, and welcoming atmosphere, Mombasa attracts numerous visitors throughout the year. It is also a crucial economic center, hosting industries such as coffee trading, food and chemical manufacturing, a steel mill, an aluminum rolling mill, an oil refinery, and a cement plant.

 

7. Casablanca, Morocco: Casablanca is Morocco’s economic powerhouse. The city is famous not only for its cinematic legacy but also for being a leading business hub in North Africa. The city boasts modern infrastructure, vibrant markets, and a burgeoning startup scene, providing corporate travelers with a mix of business opportunities and cultural experiences. Casablanca drives Morocco’s economic development and is a key trading node between Africa and Europe.

8. Abuja, Nigeria: Abuja is Nigeria’s capital and eighth most populous city. It serves as the country’s administrative and political center and is significant to the entire African continent owing to Nigeria’s geopolitical influence. Real estate is a major driver of Abuja’s economy, reflecting the city’s substantial growth and investment from both foreign and local sources. This sector continues to positively impact the city, and provides employment to the local population.

 

9. Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: This vibrant commercial capital of Tanzania, is located along the country’s eastern coast. The bustling city offers a unique blend of rich history, diverse cultures, stunning natural beauty, and thriving economic activities. Dar es Salaam is Tanzania’s most important city for both business and government, with a high concentration of trade, services, and manufacturing. The Central Business District is the largest in Tanzania and is home to the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange.

 

10. Johannesburg, South Africa: Johannesburg, often referred to as Jozi, Joburg, or “The City of Gold,” is South Africa’s most populous city and a classified megacity. It ranks among the 100 largest urban areas globally. Johannesburg is the economic and financial hub of South Africa, contributing 16% to the country’s GDP and accounting for 40% of Gauteng’s economic activity. The city hosts Africa’s largest stock exchange, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE).

This incredible list of African cities was compiled from information derived from geotags.

The platform analysed 1,000,000 Instagram posts tagged with the hashtag #businesstrip. It focused exclusively on post-pandemic data, spanning from October 2022 to February 2024.  Among the continents, Africa emerged as a compelling hub for business travel. This, in our opinion, is quite an achievement for Africa, and one that we definitely expected.

These African locations have secured their positions amongst the best in the world, and these cities are most deserving of all the attention and business they are receiving.

Africa is rich in culture and diversity, minerals and resources, and local and international business opportunities. And African companies and corporations have an entrepreneurial spirit and are eager to welcome any new business opportunities that may come their way.

We cover 66 vibrant cities across Africa. If you’re a business traveler seeking top-notch serviced apartments, look no further. Contact us today to secure your ideal accommodation. Get booked in now and experience the best in African hospitality!