The MICE Research & Business Development Fellowship Programme returns in 2026 with an exceptional faculty of industry leaders dedicated to nurturing the next generation of business events professionals across Africa.
Building on the success of its inaugural cohort—which attracted emerging professionals from Zimbabwe, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa—the Fellowship has rapidly established itself as a premier platform for developing future leaders in Africa’s business events industry.
Through an intensive three-month programme that combines research, mentorship, industry engagement and practical project work, participants gain the knowledge, networks and strategic capabilities needed to strengthen destinations, unlock new opportunities and contribute meaningfully to the long-term growth of Africa’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
At the centre of this program is a group of thought leaders whose collective expertise spans destination marketing, conference bidding, hospitality growth, digital transformation, exhibitions, trade development, partnerships, incentive travel, event management, research and business development.
Together, they represent decades of leadership experience and a shared commitment to advancing Africa’s position within the global business events landscape.
Nonnie Kubeka
Destination Marketing and Business Development
Widely recognised as one of Africa’s leading MICE strategists, Nonnie Kubeka brings more than 25 years of experience across business events, tourism and financial services.
As Head of the Gauteng Convention and Events Bureau (GCEB), she has successfully led bids for major international conferences, exhibitions and sporting events, helping position Gauteng as a competitive global destination.
Her career includes executive leadership roles at Grant Thornton, Transnet, Standard Bank Corporate and Investment Banking, the Cape Town International Convention Centre and Gauteng Tourism. She holds a BCom Accounting (Honours) and an MBA in Strategic Marketing.
A respected global speaker and industry advocate, Nonnie has received numerous accolades, including the ICCA Inspirational Award, Standard Bank Top Women Leadership Award and multiple Eventex Global recognitions. She has also been recognised among Africa’s most influential event professionals and honoured by Forbes Africa for her leadership and contribution to the industry.
Within the Fellowship Programme, she shares invaluable expertise in destination marketing, strategic business development and winning international bids that drive economic impact.
Wade Scobbie
Hospitality Growth, Digital Strategy and Commercial Performance
As the business events industry becomes increasingly digital, Wade Scobbie offers critical insight into the intersection of technology, visibility and commercial growth.
Currently serving as Head of Travel & Hospitality at SearchKings, Wade specialises in helping hospitality and tourism organisations optimise customer acquisition, revenue generation and digital performance through data-driven marketing strategies.
His expertise encompasses hospitality growth strategy, search engine optimisation (SEO), digital marketing, lead conversion, customer acquisition and commercial optimisation across global travel and hospitality brands.
Having worked extensively across hospitality portfolios, Wade has developed a deep understanding of the commercial opportunities emerging within Africa’s evolving MICE economy and the role digital infrastructure plays in destination competitiveness.
Through the Fellowship, he equips participants with practical knowledge on digital visibility, customer journeys, data analytics and performance-driven growth strategies that can enhance the competitiveness of destinations, venues and hospitality businesses.
Keke Matlou
Incentives, Events and Experiential Excellence
An award-winning business leader, media personality and seasoned MICE professional, Keke Matlou brings more than 25 years of experience spanning international incentives, event management, business development, media and philanthropy.
Throughout her career, Keke has built a reputation for creating high-impact experiences that deliver measurable business results while generating lasting value for clients, stakeholders and destinations.
Her commitment to advancing the industry is reflected in her involvement with leading professional associations, including the PCO Alliance Network, the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE), the Africa Business Travel Association (ABTA) and the Africa Incentive Travel Council.
As Director of Incentives and Events at IAE Media, Events and Incentives, and Director at Uwin Iwin, she has successfully designed and delivered world-class incentive programmes and strategic events for a wide range of organisations.
Within the Fellowship Programme, Keke shares expertise in incentive travel, customer experience, event strategy and business development, helping participants understand how meaningful experiences can strengthen relationships, inspire engagement and contribute to sustainable destination growth.
Keshni Reddy
Partnerships, Commercial Strategy and Industry Development
With nearly two decades of experience across sponsorship, partnerships, exhibitions and conferences, Keshni Reddy brings a powerful commercial perspective to the Fellowship Programme.
A respected business events leader and strategist, Keshni has successfully connected organisations, governments, entrepreneurs and communities through impactful business platforms and live experiences.
Her leadership experience spans some of Africa’s leading events and business enablement organisations, where she has consistently driven revenue growth, stakeholder engagement, industry development and large-scale event execution.
Her extensive work with corporates, tourism authorities, government institutions, associations and entrepreneurs has provided unique insight into the economic impact and strategic value of the business events industry.
As Co-Founder of the Festival of Eventing—Africa’s first dedicated event execution festival—Keshni continues to champion innovation, collaboration and professional development across the sector.
Through the Fellowship, she helps participants understand the commercial foundations of successful events, including sponsorship strategy, partnership development, stakeholder management and industry collaboration.
Duncan Njage
Exhibitions and Trade Development
Representing the exhibitions and trade development sector, Duncan Njage, Director of leading East African Expo Group brings extensive experience in exhibition marketing, stakeholder engagement and business development across East Africa.
Based in Nairobi, Duncan has built a successful career connecting organisations with opportunities that facilitate trade, investment and economic growth through strategic exhibition platforms.
His work spans major international exhibitions in sectors including healthcare, automotive, industrial manufacturing, trade and investment promotion. Throughout his career, he has helped businesses leverage exhibitions as powerful tools for market expansion, networking and commercial growth.
As a Fellowship mentor, Duncan provides practical insights into exhibition marketing, partnership development, trade promotion and business matchmaking, highlighting the critical role exhibitions play in driving economic development and regional integration across the continent.
Londi Khumalo
Research and Business Development
Completing the 2026 faculty is Londi Khumalo, Chief Business Development Officer at Niche Partners and one of the architects behind the Fellowship’s research-led approach to industry development.
With more than 16 years of experience across business events, operations, sales, market research and strategic business development, Londi has worked extensively with destinations, convention bureaus and industry stakeholders throughout Africa.
Her expertise lies in translating market intelligence into actionable strategies that help organisations identify growth opportunities, strengthen competitiveness and make informed business decisions.
Londi holds a Cum Laude qualification in Hospitality from the International Hotel School, alongside undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications in Economics, including a Master of Commerce focused on the strategic management of convention bureaus.
Combining academic rigour with extensive industry experience, she helps participants develop the analytical and strategic thinking skills required to navigate an increasingly competitive global MICE environment.
Through the Fellowship, Londi leads participants through industry intelligence, market analysis and business development frameworks that support sustainable growth and long-term industry impact.
Building Africa’s Next Generation of Business Events Leaders
Collectively, the 2026 Thought Leaders bring expertise spanning conference bidding, destination marketing, hospitality growth, digital transformation, exhibitions, trade development, partnerships, incentive travel, event management, research and business development.
Their mentorship provides participants with direct access to practical industry knowledge, strategic insight and real-world experience that extends far beyond traditional professional development programmes.
As Africa continues to strengthen its position within the global business events industry, initiatives such as the MICE Research & Business Development Fellowship are helping build the leadership capacity required to attract international events, unlock economic opportunities and drive sustainable growth across the continent.
More than a learning programme, the 2026 Fellowship is a catalyst for industry transformation—developing the leaders who will shape Africa’s business events success story for years to come.
Contact: Business@nichepartners.org
by Londi Khumalo
