William E. Heinecke, Founder and Chairman of Minor Hotels, will serve as the keynote speaker. A self-made entrepreneur who started his first business at just seventeen, Heinecke has grown one of the most respected hospitality groups globally. His keynote address will delve into the key lessons behind his success and the future of hotel expansion across Africa.
Guy Hutchinson, President of Hilton MEA, and Haitham Mattar, Managing Director of IHG for MEA & Southwest Asia, will explore how global hotel brands are adjusting their strategies to meet the changing dynamics of Africa’s markets. Additionally, Jerome Briet (Chief Development Officer EMEA, Marriott International), Jean-Baptiste Recher (Chief Development Officer Luxury Brands, Accor), and Esteban Lozada (Managing Director, North, West & South Africa, Hilton) will present expansion plans and share insights into the pipeline from Africa’s leading hotel brands.
On the investment side, the summit will feature industry giants like Folaseto Akin-Olugbade (Principal, Actis), Olivier Granet and David Damiba (Co-CEOs, Kasada Capital Management), Rahul Chaudhary (MD & CEO, CG Corp Global), Magdaline Osei Baffour (Investment Director, Westmont Hospitality Group), Nyawira Kariuki (CEO, Janus Continental Group), and Jameel Verjee (Founder & CEO, CityBlue Hotels). These experts will offer candid insights into how they assess opportunities, manage risks, and create long-term value in various African markets.
Graham Wood (CEO, Sun International), Marcel von Aulock (CEO, Southern Sun), and Tony Romer-Lee (Managing Partner AMEA, Valor Hospitality Partners), alongside David Green (CEO, V&A Waterfront), will lend their expertise to sessions on operational strategies, sustainable practices, and overcoming development challenges, offering valuable insight from the operator’s perspective.
Sustainability in both conservation and tourism will take a prominent role, with Dr. Morne du Plessis (CEO, WWF South Africa) and Mark Read (former Chairman, WWF SA) addressing the role of hospitality in driving positive environmental change. Brooke Friswold from Bring The Elephant Home and Joe Pietersen of Nkombe Rhino will offer on-the-ground perspectives on the potential of ecotourism.
The conversation will also be enriched by industry leaders such as Gillian Saunders, a renowned tourism consultant in Africa, Kevin Teeroovengadum (Proptech Africa), Thami Nkadimeng, Paul Gardiner (CEO, Terra Nova), Bani Haddad (Aleph Hospitality), Tadiwos G. Belete (Kuriftu Resorts), Euan McGlashan (Valor Hospitality), Wayne Godwin (JLL Africa), and many others, contributing to a diverse and dynamic dialogue.
Investor Representation
FHS Africa 2025 will bring together the most influential capital partners in the region, including prominent firms like Berkeley Properties, Cameroon Hotels Corporation, CityBlue Hotels, Cresta Marakanelo Limited, DEG, FROS Capital, Fundo Soberano de Angola, IFC, Janus Continental Group, Oak & Satin Properties, Proparco, Rockshieldburg-City, The Midwest Company, and UAG Investments.
These investors collectively oversee billions in ongoing projects, acquisitions, and greenfield developments across Africa. With more than $4 billion in hospitality deals secured at FHS Africa since its inception, the event continues to serve as a crucial platform for high-level deal-making and investment opportunities.
Matthew Weihs, Commercial Director of the Bench, which organises FHS Africa, said: “We’re incredibly proud to bring FHS Africa to Cape Town for the first time. It’s a city that represents innovation, diversity, and growth — the perfect backdrop for an event that connects the brightest minds in hospitality and drives real investment across the continent. The 2025 programme is bold, dynamic, and focused on action.”
FHS Africa 2025 offers exceptional opportunities for forging valuable connections through a range of formats designed for genuine interaction. Attendees can participate in dynamic speed networking events, invitation-only investor councils, and private offsite tours highlighting Cape Town’s newest hospitality projects. Every element is curated to facilitate impactful collaborations. Additionally, the event hosts a community-centered charity run, providing a fun and informal way to engage with fellow delegates while contributing to a meaningful cause.
Tags: William E. Heinecke, Minor Hotels, Matthew Weihs, Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Africa 2025
