May 07, (THEWILL) — A new global ranking of 100 influential figures of African descent in travel, hospitality and tourism will be unveiled on May 25, 2026, as part of efforts to map and connect key players shaping the industry across continents.
The initiative, announced by The Pyne Hospitality Company in partnership with the Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), is expected to identify individuals driving policy, investment, innovation and cultural influence within the global tourism ecosystem.
Organisers say the list will cut across sectors, including aviation, destination marketing, hospitality management and travel innovation, with a focus on Africans and diaspora actors, whose work impacts international travel flows and infrastructure development.
The announcement comes ahead of the Pyne Awards Africa 2026 scheduled to be held in Maputo, Mozambique, where the recognition programme will be formally integrated into the event’s activities.
The founder of The Pyne Hospitality Company, Amaka Amatokwu-Ndekwu, said the initiative is designed to go beyond recognition by creating a framework for engagement among industry stakeholders.
According to her, the project will also serve as a platform to align influential actors whose decisions shape how destinations are marketed, financed and experienced globally.
Chairman of MIPAD, Kamil Olufowobi, noted that selected honourees will be engaged through a series of international platforms, including events around the United Nations General Assembly in New York, with the aim of fostering partnerships and investment opportunities.
MIPAD, which operates under the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent, has previously focused on recognising excellence in sectors such as business, politics and media. The tourism-focused list marks an expansion of its scope into the travel and hospitality industry.
The organisers maintain that the initiative is also intended to strengthen connections between African and diaspora stakeholders, while drawing attention to the continent’s growing role in global tourism.
The final list is expected to be released to coincide with Africa Day, an annual commemoration of African unity and development.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
