Pan Africa Tourism Board Debuts to Champion a Unified and Sustainable Tourism Future for Africa

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – May 2025

The African tourism sector has reached a new and exciting milestone with the official launch of the Pan Africa Tourism Board (PATB). Following its inaugural board meeting on May 17, 2025, the PATB has emerged as a visionary institution committed to advancing Africa’s tourism through a collaborative, sustainable, and inclusive framework.

With its guiding vision — “One Continent, Sustainable Heritage for All” — PATB seeks to unite the continent under a shared strategy that promotes Africa’s diverse destinations, protects cultural and environmental assets, and ensures long-term benefits for communities.

A Unified Voice for African Tourism

The formation of PATB marks a significant turning point in how Africa approaches destination marketing, cross-border tourism development, and stakeholder coordination. By bringing together experts and leaders from across the continent, PATB is set to become a continental powerhouse for policy alignment, regional synergy, and global positioning.

The board's structure ensures a balance between continental vision and country-level action, with regional Vice Presidents coordinating efforts alongside appointed country chairs, enabling efficient implementation of strategic goals on the ground.

 

Meet the Founding Leadership Team

PATB is steered by a dynamic and diverse team of industry professionals who bring years of experience and a deep commitment to the continent's tourism advancement.

Executive Leadership

• Mariam Lesian (Tanzania) – President
• Alain St.Ange (Seychelles) – 1st Vice President
• Ahmad El Bohy (Egypt) – VP, Northern Africa
• Balla Fall (Sénégal) – VP, West Africa
• Christian Mbina (Gabon) – VP, Central Africa
• Farrana Kader (South Africa) – VP, Southern Africa
• Herbert Mandla Mtowo (Zambia) – VP, East Africa

Chief Operations Officer

• Andreas Shekutamba Simon (Namibia)

Advisory Board Members

• Fatoumatta Gaye (Gambia)
• Fawzia Peer (South Africa)
• Francis Majige Nanai (Tanzania)
• Jeffreys Manjengwa (Zimbabwe)
• Saad E. Benabdallah (Morocco)
• Shailendra Singh (South Africa)

Directors
From marketing and stakeholder engagement to innovation and youth empowerment, the PATB directorate is deeply aligned with today’s most pressing tourism needs:

• Alphonce Blass Mallya – Marketing & Sales
• Dennis Allan Eliashifie – Stakeholder Engagement
• Evelyne James Amasi – Governance & Legal Affairs
• Iddy John – Innovation, Technology & Entrepreneurship
• Jennifer Shigoli – Women & Youth
• Jeremiah Mchechu – Finance
• Joseph Touomou – Sports Tourism
• Maggie Mutangiri – Travel & Tourism
• Mariagoreth Charles – Events & Communications

 

Strategic Value for Africa’s Tourism Ecosystem

PATB is guided by five strategic pillars that offer real value to tourism stakeholders across the continent:

1. Continental Brand Development
• A unified African tourism marketing platform that showcases destinations' cultural, natural, and community experiences globally.
2. Sustainable Tourism Leadership
• A robust sustainability framework promoting responsible tourism, environmental protection, and inclusive community benefits.
3. Cross-Border Collaboration
• Engagement with African Union institutions to support visa facilitation, air connectivity, and transnational tourism corridors.
4. Investment Attraction
• Access to a curated network of tourism investors, development funds, and infrastructure partners for scalable project support.
5. Digital Transformation & Capacity Building
• Innovative tools, certifications, and digital platforms designed to enhance destination competitiveness and operational efficiency.

 

Leadership Perspectives

"The formation of the Pan Africa Tourism Board represents a significant moment for our continent. By uniting our efforts, we can harness tourism's transformative power to create jobs, preserve cultural heritage, protect natural environments, and share Africa's incredible stories with the world."
— Mariam Lesian, President

"The successful launch of this collaborative approach highlights our shared resolve to build a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous tourism sector across Africa."
— Alain St.Ange, 1st Vice President

 

What This Means for the Industry

For tourism boards, private sector operators, regional organizations, and destination marketers, the PATB provides a dynamic new platform for advocacy, resource mobilization, partnership-building, and global visibility. It offers a rare opportunity to align with a pan-African vision while benefiting from regionally customized support and internationally benchmarked practices.

As the global travel industry increasingly seeks authentic, diverse, and sustainable experiences, Africa’s moment to lead has arrived—and the Pan Africa Tourism Board is ready to help shape that future.

For inquiries and collaboration opportunities:
Pan Africa Tourism Board (PATB)
P.O. Box 32869, International Eye Building – 3rd Floor
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Vision: One Continent, Sustainable Heritage for All