Programme at-a-glance
Download programme as PDFMonday 23 September 2019
Full programme →14:00 - 14:30
Registration and Welcome Coffee in Sponsors’ Exhibition
14:30 - 15:00
Induction for Newcomers: How to get the most out of AHIF
15:00 - 17:00
AHIF WORKSHOPS
15:00 - 16:00
SPACE x AHIF – A focus on Sustainable Real Estate
15:30 - 17:00
GRIF x AHIF – A Focus on Hotel F&B
17:00 - 18:00
Networking
SPEED NETWORKING
18:30 - 21:00
Networking
Welcome Reception at the Ethiopian Skylight Hotel
Tuesday 24 September 2019
Full programme →08:00 - 08:45
Networking
Registration & Welcome Coffee in Sponsors' Exhibition
08:45 - 09:00
Welcome Remarks
09:00 - 09:30
Macroeconomic Overview
09:30 - 10:00
African Tourism and Connectivity
10:00 - 10:20
An Update on Hotel Performance in Africa
10:20 - 10:50
Growing the Footprint in Africa
10:50 - 11:00
Epidemic Risk: What you need to know
11:00
Present Your Project
11:00 - 11:30
Networking
Coffee Break
11:30 - 11:50
HOT SEAT SERIES
11:50 - 12:05
The AHIF Annual Pipeline Report
12:05 - 12:20
Building Your Own Brand in Africa
12:20 - 13:10
Hotel Brands: What are they looking for?
13:10 - 13:30
THE APO INTERVIEW SERIES
13:30
Present Your Project
13:30 - 14:30
Networking
Networking Lunch
14:30 - 18:00
Networking
Round Table Sessions
14:30 - 15:30
Round Tables I
15:45 - 16:45
Round Tables II
17:00 - 18:00
Round Tables III
18:30 - 21:00
Networking
Evening Networking Reception
Wednesday 25 September 2019
Full programme →07:30 - 08:00
AHIF Charity Run
08:45 - 08:50
Welcome Back
08:50 - 09:10
HOT SEAT SERIES
09:10 - 10:30
FINANCE FORUM
10:30 - 11:00
Networking
Coffee Break
11:00 - 11:20
HOT SEAT SERIES
11:20 - 12:00
The Owner/Operator Panel
12:00 - 12:15
Supporting the Next Generation of Talent in Hospitality
12:15 - 12:50
The Conservation Panel
12:50 - 13:10
THE APO INTERVIEW SERIES
13:10 - 13:30
The AHIF Creating Impact Awards
13:30 - 14:30
Networking
Networking Lunch
Present your project
As part of the programme we extend a platform for existing or potential hotel developments looking for partners to invest, operate, develop or undertake a joint venture.
The format will be a ‘elevator pitch’ style where those selected have three minutes and two slides to ‘present their project’. We will be circulating details to all attendees of the projects which take part so interested parties are able to connect with presenters for further information. The projects will also be posted on the AHIF website.
Please submit:
- a synopsis of no more than 500 words including:
- the vision
- an outline of the size and scale
- projected date of completion (if possible)
- existing stakeholders
- what you are hoping to get out of AHIF
- Please include any supporting documentation that will reinforce your project
To be considered for inclusion in ‘Present Your Project’ you must be a registered delegate of AHIF and submit your entry as outlined below by July 2019 to Mala Patel.
Selection is at the discretion of the organisers, unfortunately we are not able to include all projects submitted.
2019 Advisory Board
We are extremely grateful to the 2019 Advisory Board for their input in developing a well rounded and balanced programme with topics and regional issues that were presented and discussed on panels at the AHIF 2019 conference.

Mohamed Awadalla
Chief Executive Officer, TIME Hotels

Mossadeck Bally
Chief Executive Officer, Azalaï Hotels Group

Ilaria Benucci
Investment Director, Equity Investments, CDC Group

Ewan Cameron
Director – Africa, Westmont Hospitality

Karim Cheltout
Regional Vice President - Development, Africa, Marriott International

Mike Collini
Vice President Development Sub-Saharan Africa, Hilton

Mark Dunford
Head - East Africa, JLL

Thomas Emanuel
Director, STR

Bani Haddad
Founder & Managing Director, Aleph Hospitality

David Harper
Head of Property Services, Hotel Partners Africa

Alexis Janoray
Vice President, Head of Development Africa, Accor

Zahra Jivraj
Director, Opulent Hotel Group

Panos Loupasis
Vice President Development – Middle East & Africa, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Shamil Manek
Executive Director, The Merwest Company

Andrew McLachlan
Senior Vice President, Development, Sub-Saharan Africa, Radisson Hotel Group
Bernard Micallef
Senior Industry Specialist - Hotels, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Services, International Finance Corporation (IFC)

Njeri Mungai Ngaruiya
Investment Director, IFU

Hasnain Noorani
Founder & Group Managing Director, Pride Group

Dhruv Pandit
Chief Executive Officer, Fedha Group

Nicolas Pompigne-Mognard
Founder & Chairman, APO Group

Filippo Sona
Managing Director - Global Hospitality, Drees and Sommer

James Stuart
Founder, Stuart + Partners

Matthew Tripolone
Vice President Development - MEA, IHG

Nick van Marken
Managing Director, van Marken Limited

Jameel Verjee
Founder & CEO, CityBlue Hotels (Diar Group)

Amos Wekesa
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Great Lakes Safaris

Trevor Ward
Managing Director, W Hospitality Group

Dr Adam Wu
Chief Operating Officer, China Business Network