The missing infrastructure behind Africa's growing tourism economy

In a bustling market in Marrakech, Morocco, vendors like Fatima, a 35-year-old entrepreneur, showcase their handmade crafts to tourists. The vibrant stalls are evidence of the continent's growing tourism economy, which contributed $228 billion to Africa's economy in 2025, representing about 5% of the continent's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). However, beneath the surface of this thriving industry lies a complex issue: the majority of the value generated by this tourism sector is captured by external players, leaving local economies and vendors like Fatima with little to no benefits.

The tourism sector in Africa has been on the rise, with the continent welcoming 81 million international tourists in 2025, an increase of 16% from 2019, before the pandemic, and 8% from 2024. This growth is projected to continue, with the sector's value expected to reach $350 billion by 2035. However, the infrastructure supporting this growth is largely controlled by external players. Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) like Booking.com, Airbnb, Expedia, and GetYourGuide dominate the market, serving as intermediaries between the tourism offer and demand in Africa. These platforms have become essential for tourists, but they also capture a significant portion of the revenue generated by the tourism sector.

The absence of a robust local infrastructure to support the tourism sector has left African economies vulnerable to external control. The WTTC reports that the tourism sector employs directly or indirectly 30.2 million people in Africa, a 4.7% increase from the previous year. However, the distribution of revenue generated by this sector is skewed in favor of external players. This has significant implications for local economies and vendors like Fatima, who struggle to access the benefits of the tourism sector.

The dominance of external players in the tourism sector has far-reaching consequences for African economies. The revenue generated by this sector is largely repatriated to the countries of origin, leaving local economies with little to no benefits. This has significant implications for economic development and poverty reduction in Africa. The continent's growing tourism economy has the potential to be a catalyst for economic growth and development, but only if local infrastructure is developed to support it.

As the tourism sector continues to grow in Africa, it is essential that local economies and vendors like Fatima are empowered to capture the value generated by this sector. This requires the development of a robust local infrastructure to support the tourism sector, including the creation of local OTAs and platforms that can compete with external players. By doing so, Africa can ensure that the benefits of the tourism sector are shared equitably among all stakeholders, and that the continent's growing economy is truly inclusive and sustainable.

• Africa welcomed 81 million international tourists in 2025, an increase of 16% from 2019 and 8% from 2024.
• The tourism sector contributed $228 billion to Africa's economy in 2025, representing about 5% of the continent's GDP.
• The sector is projected to reach $350 billion by 2035.
• The tourism sector employs directly or indirectly 30.2 million people in Africa, a 4.7% increase from the previous year.

As a writer, I am struck by the irony of a continent that is home to some of the world's most vibrant and diverse cultures, yet struggles to capture the value generated by its own tourism sector. The story of Fatima and her fellow vendors is evidence of the need for local infrastructure to support the tourism sector. By empowering local economies and vendors, Africa can ensure that the benefits of the tourism sector are shared equitably among all stakeholders, and that the continent's growing economy is truly inclusive and sustainable.