A new star on the MICE horizon awaits
Angola is strategically positioning itself as an emerging Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination in Africa. Through targeted investments in transport infrastructure, international connectivity and institutional development, the country is laying the groundwork to host a growing number of international congresses, conferences, trade fairs and incentive programmes.
Underscoring this ambition, the capital city of Luanda has been named by Business Traveller as one of the Top 20 ‘Trending Destinations 2026’, with particular relevance for business and event travel.
“The MICE market is a central pillar of our strategy for economic diversification,” says Márcio de Jesus Lopes Daniel, Minister of Tourism of the Republic of Angola. “Meetings, conferences and international events generate sustainable value far beyond the tourism sector. They promote knowledge transfer, investment and international networking. Angola is therefore deliberately focusing on the MICE market to create new economic momentum and firmly anchor the country on the international events map.”
International accessibility as a key enabler
A cornerstone of Angola’s MICE strategy is the Dr António Agostinho Neto International Airport, which has replaced Quatro de Fevereiro Airport as the country’s main international hub. Located approximately 40 kilometres south-east of Luanda’s city centre, the airport has been designed to handle up to 15 million passengers annually, including around 10 million international and 5 million domestic travellers.
With peak capacities of 3,288 international passengers per hour and 1,644 domestic passengers per hour, the facility ranks among the largest and most modern airport infrastructures on the African continent.
Operations commenced in phases from November 2023, with a major milestone reached in October 2025 when TAAG Angola Airlines fully relocated its international flight operations to the new airport. Featuring state-of-the-art terminal infrastructure, capacity for wide-body aircraft such as the Airbus A380, and a growing network of international routes, the airport significantly enhances Luanda’s accessibility for international MICE delegates.
Direct flights to Luanda are currently offered from Europe by Lufthansa, TAP Air Portugal and Air France, alongside connections from carriers including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Turkish Airlines.
Complementing the airport development is the planned ‘Airport City’, which will integrate hotels, office space, logistics and service infrastructure, further strengthening the destination’s appeal for business and event travellers. The four-star Flow Hotel is nearing completion.
Purpose-built venues strengthen event capacity
In parallel with improvements to air connectivity, Angola is investing in purpose-built event infrastructure. As part of the Lundo Project, a new convention centre is under development in Luanda’s Chicala district, spanning approximately 72,000 square metres.
The venue will feature a multifunctional theatre and conference hall seating up to 3,000 delegates, an additional conference hall for up to 360 participants, and a business centre incorporating seminar and meeting rooms, cafés, social spaces and administrative offices. Extensive technical and service areas in the basement will support the operational requirements of large-scale international events.
Scheduled for completion in Q1 2027, the convention centre is expected to significantly expand Luanda’s capacity to host major international congresses, conferences and high-level events.
Angola Convention Bureau underway
Alongside physical infrastructure development, work is progressing on the establishment of the Angola Convention Bureau (ACB). Strategically positioned as a tool for economic diversification and knowledge economy development, the ACB will play a central role in the structured growth of Angola’s MICE sector.
Based in Luanda, the Convention Bureau will operate as a public–private partnership. Government stakeholders will provide political support and core funding, while private-sector partners – including hotels, convention centres, destination management companies, airlines and event service providers – will contribute expertise, infrastructure and market insight. A membership-based structure will ensure long-term industry integration and collaboration.
MICE as a growth engine for Africa
Africa’s MICE market continues to demonstrate strong momentum. In 2024, the combined Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions market across the Middle East and Africa was valued at approximately USD 82.9 billion. According to Africa MICE Hub, MICE activity across the continent is growing at an estimated annual rate of 12.8 per cent.
With enhanced air connectivity, new event infrastructure and the institutional establishment of the Angola Convention Bureau, Angola is positioning itself as a high-potential MICE destination within the African landscape – with Luanda emerging as a central hub for international meetings, congresses and incentive travel.
