Recognizing the global leaders shaping the future of tourism, hospitality, aviation, cultural storytelling, and destination development.
On Global Africa Day, Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), in partnership with The Pyne Hospitality Company, announces the Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Edition — Class of 2026, recognizing influential leaders of African descent shaping the global tourism economy across government, aviation, hospitality, investment, culture, media, and destination experiences.
The recognition highlights the growing influence of African and diaspora leadership in one of the world’s most dynamic economic sectors. The list celebrates leaders whose work continues to elevate Africa and the global diaspora through tourism, travel, culture, hospitality, and storytelling.
The Class of 2026 spans Africa, the Caribbean, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the global diaspora, honoring leaders across six categories:
• Government, Tourism Boards & Policy Leaders
• Travel Infrastructure & Enablers
• Corporate: Hospitality, Travel & Experience Brands
• Travel Influencers & Cultural Storytellers
• Culture, Entertainment & Experience Curators
• Investment, Development & Tourism Economy Builders
This year’s honourees include globally respected leaders helping shape how the world experiences Africa and the diaspora.
Among those recognized are Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism of Jamaica; Patricia de Lille, Minister of Tourism of South Africa; Hannatu Musa Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy; Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism of Morocco; Sherif Fathy, Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities; Yvonne Makolo, CEO of RwandAir; Mesfin Tasew Bekele, Group CEO of Ethiopian Airlines; Adebayo Ogunlesi, Chairman & CEO of Global Infrastructure Partners; Sheila Johnson, Founder & CEO of Salamander Hotels & Resorts; Marcus Samuelsson, celebrity chef and restaurateur; Jessica Nabongo, global travel storyteller and founder of Jet Black; Martinique Lewis, President of the Black Travel Alliance; Pierre Thiam, chef, restaurateur and cultural ambassador; Tayo Aina, travel filmmaker and African storyteller; and Wode Maya, African travel vlogger and digital storyteller. See The Full List Of Winners Below…
Kamil Olufowobi, Founder & Chairman of Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD), said: “Beyond recognition, this initiative will serve as a strategic coordination platform — identifying and convening the leaders shaping global travel flows, tourism investment, and hospitality infrastructure across Africa and the diaspora. Through curated engagements, honorees will be connected with capital allocators, destination leaders, and industry partners to drive partnerships, investment, and cross-border collaboration. The goal is not only to celebrate influence — but to activate it.”
Tourism remains one of the world’s most important economic and cultural sectors — driving investment, preserving heritage, creating jobs, shaping perceptions, and connecting people across borders. The Class of 2026 reflects the growing influence of African and diaspora leadership across the global tourism ecosystem and the increasing role of tourism as a driver of economic diplomacy, infrastructure development, cultural exchange, and international engagement.
“Tourism is one of the most powerful tools for reshaping narratives, building economic bridges, and reconnecting the global African diaspora to culture, heritage, and opportunity. This list recognizes the leaders using tourism and hospitality not only as industries, but as vehicles for influence, diplomacy, investment, and global cultural exchange,” said Amaka Amatokwu-Ndekwu, Founder & CEO of The Pyne Hospitality Company.
Women continue to play a defining role across the tourism industry, with female leaders represented prominently across government, destination marketing, hospitality, aviation, and cultural tourism.
The Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Edition initiative aligns with the broader vision of The Pyne Hospitality Company and MIPAD to elevate Africa and the diaspora within the global tourism economy while fostering stronger cultural and economic connections across continents.
Nominees for Best Country Campaigns
• Black Star Experience — Ghana
• Magical Kenya: Origin of Wonder — Kenya
• Visit Rwanda — Rwanda
• Morocco: Kingdom of Light — Morocco
• Experience Egypt — Egypt
• Feel Our Island Energy — Mauritius
Winner of Best Country Campaign will be announced at the 6th Edition of Pyne Africa Events & Awards — Africa’s premier celebration of hospitality and tourism excellence. 24–26 September 2026 | Maputo, Mozambique
The complete Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Edition — Class of 2026 will be published globally in celebration of Global Africa Day.
For media inquiries, partnerships and speaking engagements:
[ka***@***ad.org] & [am***@***********ds.com]
Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Edition — Class of 2026
1. Abdérahmane Berthé — Secretary General, African Airlines Association — Côte d’Ivoire / Africa
2. Adebayo Ogunlesi — Chairman & CEO, Global Infrastructure Partners — Nigeria / USA
3. Adefunke Adeyemi — Secretary General, African Civil Aviation Commission — Nigeria
4. Adejoké Bakare — Founder & Chef, Chishuru; Destination Dining — Nigeria / UK
5. Amber C. Edwards — Founder, Overseas With Ease — USA
6. Amos Wekesa — Founder, Great Lakes Safaris — Uganda
7. Anita Moreau — Founder, Black Travel Summit — USA / Caribbean
8. Antonio Pita — Co-Founder & COO, Diaspora.Black — Brazil
9. Arnold Donald — Former Chair, WTTC; Former CEO, Carnival Corporation — USA
10. Ashifa Khataw — Executive Director, FCM Tanzania — Tanzania
11. Bayo Adedeji — Group CEO, Wakanow Nigeria & Wakanow Group — Nigeria
12. Beverly Anderson — Board Director, Expedia Group — USA
13. Bia Moremi — Founder, Brafrika Viagens / Brafrika Pro — Brazil
14. Brett J. Hart — President, United Airlines — USA
15. Calvin Stovall Jr. — Hospitality Historian & Founder/CEO, ICONIC Presentations — USA
16. Candy Shinondo Kasonkomona — Regional Vice President, Hahnair — Zambia
17. Chef Pierre Thiam — Chef, Restaurateur, TED Global Speaker & Cultural Ambassador — Senegal / USA
18. Clóvis Martins Rosa — Chairman of the Board, TAAG Angola Airlines — Angola
19. Colin Bell — CEO, Natural Selection — South Africa / Southern Africa
20. Cuthbert Ncube — Chairman, African Tourism Board — Zimbabwe / Africa
21. Damilola Adepoju Okunoren — Senior Director, Marriott International — Nigeria
22. Daphne Terley Spencer — Co-Founder & President, African Association of Women in Tourism and Hospitality — Ghana / USA
23. Davonne Reaves — CEO, The Vonne Group — USA
24. Diallo Sumbry — CEO, The Adinkra Group — USA / Ghana
25. Donalyn Vittet — Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism — Saint Lucia
26. Dr. Iyadunni Gbadebo — Director of Sales & Marketing, Eko Hotels & Suites — Nigeria
27. Dr. Jeffrey Obomeghie — President, International Hospitality Institute — Nigeria / USA
28. Dr. José Luís Sá Nogueira — Honorable Minister of Tourism and Transport — Cabo Verde
29. Dynast Amir — Founder, Danfo — USA / Africa-focused
30. Edmund Bartlett — Honorable Minister of Tourism — Jamaica
31. Elcia Grandcourt — Regional Director for Africa, UN Tourism — Seychelles / Africa
32. Elliott L. Ferguson II — President & CEO, Destination DC — USA
33. Eric Martin — Co-Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Black & Abroad — USA
34. Ernest White II — Producer & Host, Fly Brother with Ernest White II — USA
35. Evita Robinson — Founder, NOMADNESS Travel Tribe — USA
36. Fatim-Zahra Ammor — Honorable Minister of Tourism — Morocco
37. Gaynelle S. Henderson — President, Henderson Travel Service — USA
38. Gbubemi Fregene (Chef Fregz) — Culinary Food Artist & Nigerian Food Enthusiast — Nigeria
39. Hannatu Musa Musawa — Honorable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy — Nigeria
40. Hilina D. Ajakaiye — Chief Strategy Officer, National Coalition of Black Meeting Professionals — Nigeria / USA
41. Hon. G. P. Ian Gooding-Edghill — Honorable Minister of Tourism & International Transport — Barbados
42. I. Chester Cooper — Honorable Minister of Tourism, Investments & Aviation — Bahamas
43. Ikechi Uko — Founder, Akwaaba African Travel Market; Tourism Development Expert — Nigeria
44. Jay Cameron — Founder, Maximum Impact Travel — USA
45. Jean-Guy Afrika — CEO, Rwanda Development Board — Rwanda
46. Jessica Nabongo — Founder, Jet Black; Global Travel Storyteller — Uganda / USA
47. Jubril Agoro — Founder, Passport Heavy; Digital Nomad & Travel Storyteller — Nigeria / USA
48. Julius W. Robinson — COO, Western U.S. & Gaylord Hotels Nationwide, Marriott International — USA
49. June Chepkemei — CEO, Kenya Tourism Board — Kenya
50. Kea Wakesho Simmons — Founder, Traverze Culture — Kenya / USA
51. Kemi Leke-Bamtefa — Country Manager, South African Airways — Nigeria / South Africa
52. Kemoy Martin — Travel & Lifestyle Influencer — Jamaica / Caribbean
53. Kgomotso Ramothea — CEO, ATTA® — The African Travel & Tourism Association — Botswana / UK
54. Kwakye Donkor — CEO, Africa Tourism Partners; Convenor, Africa Tourism Leadership Forum — Ghana / South Africa
55. Leslie D. Hale — President & CEO, RLJ Lodging Trust — USA
56. Linda Fernando — Co-Founder, Criattus Mozambique — Mozambique
57. Lola Akinmade Åkerström — Travel Writer, Photographer & Cultural Storyteller — Nigeria / Sweden
58. Marcus Samuelsson — Celebrity Chef & Restaurateur, Marcus Samuelsson Group — Ethiopia / Sweden / USA
59. Martinique Lewis — President, Black Travel Alliance — USA
60. Mesfin Tasew Bekele — Group CEO, Ethiopian Airlines — Ethiopia
61. Michael Dale Williams — General Manager, EbonyLife Resort — Jamaica / Nigeria
62. Michelle Garabito — Founder & CEO, LuxNomads — USA / Global
63. Mrs. Maame Efua Houadjeto — CEO, Ghana Tourism Authority — Ghana
64. Nabeela Farida Tunis — Honorable Minister of Tourism — Sierra Leone
65. Nicanor Sabula — CEO, Kenya Association of Travel Agents — Kenya
66. Nicole Phillip — Travel Creator & Journalist — Caribbean / USA
67. Niyi Fagbemi — Travel & Documentary Filmmaker — Nigeria
68. Nombulelo Guliwe — CEO, South African Tourism — South Africa
69. Noor Momade — CEO / President, COTUR — Mozambique
70. Olubunmi (Bunmi) Kuku — Managing Director/Chief Executive, FAAN — Nigeria
71. Oneika Raymond — Emmy Award-Winning Travel Journalist & TV Host — Jamaica / Canada
72. Patricia de Lille — Minister of Tourism — South Africa
73. Queen Bethia Idoko — Founder & CEO, Travel With Bethia — Nigeria
74. Qudus Onikeku — CEO / Centre Director, J. Randle Centre for Yorùbá Culture and History — Nigeria
75. Richard Vedelago — Nahous Federal Palace Hotel & Chief Epicurian + CEO Global Windsor Group — Nigeria/Italy
76. Rita Opiah — General Manager, Park Inn by Radisson Serviced Apartments — Nigeria
77. Sam Sithole — Chairman, Sun International — South Africa
78. Samuel Afari — CEO, Safari Group — Ghana
79. Sarah Greaves-Gabbadon — Caribbean Travel Expert & On-Air Travel Personality — Jamaica / USA
80. Segun Demuren — Founder & CEO, Evergreen Apple Nigeria — Nigeria
81. Selamawit Kassa — Honorable Minister of Tourism — Ethiopia
82. Sheila Johnson — Founder & CEO, Salamander Hotels & Resorts — USA
83. Sherif Fathy — Honorable Minister of Tourism and Antiquities — Egypt
84. Sherin Francis — CEO, Tourism Seychelles — Seychelles
85. Sherwin Banda — President, African Travel Inc. — South Africa / USA
86. Souadou Niang — Owner, Palms Luxury Boutique Hotel, Dakar — Senegal
87. Stella Fubara — Global Tourism Strategist & CEO, Fura Collective — Nigeria
88. Steven Ndukwu — Travel Filmmaker & Content Creator — Nigeria
89. Tayo Aina — Travel Filmmaker, YouTuber & African Storyteller — Nigeria
90. Tracy L. Prigmore — Founder, She Has A Deal — USA
91. Tunde Lawal — CEO, TIL Travels — Nigeria
92. Uloma Egbuna — CEO, Tour Brokers International — Nigeria
93. Uzoamaka Oshogwe — Managing Director/CEO, Transcorp Hotels Plc — Nigeria
94. Vimbai Masiyiwa — Founder, Batoka Africa — Zimbabwe
95. Wode Maya — African Travel Vlogger & Digital Storyteller — Ghana
96. Yinka Folami — President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies — Nigeria
97. YolanDa Brown — Founder, Soul Mama; Music, Dining & Experience Entrepreneur — UK / Jamaica
98. Yvette Gentles Bernard — Founder, Taste the Islands; Caribbean Culinary Tourism — Caribbean / USA
99. Yvonne Manzi Makolo — CEO, RwandAir — Rwanda
100. Zainab Ansell — CEO, Zara Tours — Tanzania
To request your standalone posters, letters of invitation, and recommendations, please email ho******@***ad.org
Celebrating the Chefs in the Global Top 100 Travel, Tourism, Hospitality Edition
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About MIPAD
Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) is a global civil society initiative supporting the United Nations International Decade for People of African Descent. MIPAD identifies and celebrates high-impact leaders while convening platforms that advance policy dialogue, investment, and global collaboration. http://www.mipad.org
About The Pyne Awards Africa
The Pyne Awards Africa is one of the continent’s leading platforms recognizing excellence in hospitality and tourism. Since its inception in 2018, the initiative has engaged over 68,000 participants across 21 African countries, driving industry recognition, partnerships, and global visibility for African tourism. https://maputo.thepyneawards.com
