By Josephine Sesay
Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its readiness to host the 3rd UN Tourism Africa Gastronomy Forum, scheduled for 2-4 December 2026, using the 69th UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) meeting in Seychelles as a platform to strengthen strategic partnerships and showcase the country’s preparedness for the prestigious continental event.
The Sierra Leone delegation, led by the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, joined tourism ministers, policymakers and industry leaders from across Africa to discuss strategies for advancing sustainable tourism, preserving cultural heritage and promoting inclusive economic growth through the tourism sector.
The Africa Gastronomy Forum has become one of the continent’s premier tourism platforms, highlighting the role of gastronomy in driving sustainable development, cultural preservation and economic transformation. Sierra Leone will host the third edition after the successful staging of the inaugural forum in Zimbabwe in 2024 and the second edition in Tanzania in 2025.
This year’s forum will also be the first to be held under the leadership of the newly elected UN Tourism Secretary-General, Shaikha Al Nuwais, adding further international significance to the event.
Speaking on Sierra Leone’s preparations, Minister Tunis described the opportunity to host the forum as another major milestone in the country’s growing reputation as an emerging tourism destination.
She said hosting the event reflects Sierra Leone’s commitment to using gastronomy tourism as a catalyst for investment, job creation, entrepreneurship and cultural exchange, while showcasing the country’s rich culinary traditions and diverse cultural heritage to the international community.
The minister further noted that the Government remains committed to delivering a successful forum that will bring together tourism experts, renowned chefs, hospitality professionals, investors and policymakers from across Africa and beyond to explore innovative approaches to strengthening gastronomy tourism across the continent.
Sierra Leone’s participation in the Commission meeting also provided an opportunity to deepen collaboration with regional and international tourism stakeholders ahead of the December forum, as the country intensifies preparations to welcome delegates from across Africa and the wider global tourism community.
The successful hosting of the forum is expected to further elevate Sierra Leone’s international tourism profile, attract new investment opportunities and reinforce the country’s position as an emerging destination for sustainable, cultural and culinary tourism in Africa.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 8th July 2026 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
