Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa Announces Its Largest Edition Yet
Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa Announces Its Largest Edition Yet
Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa Announces Its Largest Edition Yet
Under the patronage of Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, the 2026 edition will bring together 12 countries and 30 institutions in Nairobi to advance workforce development in hospitality and tourism
NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 6, 2026 – The Future Leaders Platform, a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism, will bring together industry leaders, educators and school directors, government representatives and future talent from 12 countries for its largest Eastern Africa edition yet, with 30 participating institutions.
Taking place at Strathmore University in Nairobi on 26 and 27 October 2026, the event will combine the Future Leaders Challenge with the School Directors Alliance Summit.
Held under the patronage of Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Kenya, the two-day programme will strengthen regional cooperation on workforce development, employment and entrepreneurship by connecting industry, education, government and future talent.
The 12 participating countries are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda.
Building a Regional Workforce-Development Ecosystem
“Bringing together 12 countries and 30 participating institutions makes this the largest Eastern Africa edition to date,” said Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers.
“It reflects a shared commitment to developing talent, creating opportunity and strengthening the hospitality and tourism workforce. Through the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance, we are creating stronger connections between education, employment, entrepreneurship and industry.
“Community over competition gives us the foundation to learn across borders and turn regional collaboration into meaningful local impact.”
Investing in an Inclusive Future Workforce
“The tourism sector is evolving, hence the dire need to invest in our youth and young professionals to navigate the rapidly changing landscape characterised by technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences and the increasing call for sustainability,” said Hon. Rebecca Miano.
“As the patron of Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa, I encourage all stakeholders to partner and collaborate with us to deliver on this noble cause.”
Her patronage reflects the importance of workforce development to the future growth and competitiveness of hospitality and tourism across the region.
A 10-Week Regional Challenge
Students from 30 institutions will undertake a 10-week preparation journey built around a shared hospitality and tourism workforce-development question:
“How might hospitality and tourism create inclusive pathways for young people, especially women and persons with disabilities, to develop relevant skills, access decent employment, and explore entrepreneurship through innovative solutions that respond to local realities and create sustainable impact?”
Following ten weeks of preparation around a challenge question formulated by the Eastern Africa Strategic Board, students will take part in the live Future Leaders Challenge in Nairobi, where they will present their ideas and vision to current industry and education leaders.
The Challenge gives students an opportunity to strengthen their skills in research, collaboration, communication, leadership and creative problem-solving while gaining direct access to industry knowledge, feedback and professional networks.
The winning team will be announced at 8 pm on 26 October during the Celebration Dinner at Strathmore University.
Eastern Africa Strategic Board
The Eastern Africa edition is guided by a Strategic Board comprising leaders from education, hospitality, tourism and regional organisations:
David Chiawo, Dean, School of Tourism and Hospitality, Strathmore University
Devota Mdachi, Head of Communication and Marketing Unit, National College of Tourism
Frank Mugisha, CEO, East Africa Tourism Platform
Hubert Ummels, Founder, Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers
Lilly Ajarova, Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism, Uganda
Michael Njogu, Managing Director, Sense of Africa East Africa, and Chief Operating Officer, Tourvest Destination Management
Mike Vroom, Chief Operations Officer, Hemingways Collection
Ryan Powell, Chief Operating Officer, Sales and Touring, andBeyond
Shivram Gangadharan, General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel and Residence Nairobi, Arboretum Park Lane
Simon Hodson, Country Manager Kenya, Accor
Together, the Strategic Board members help shape the Challenge, guide regional discussions and contribute their perspectives on hospitality and tourism workforce development.
Connecting Education with Employment
Alongside the Future Leaders Challenge, the School Directors Alliance Summit will convene education leaders from across the participating countries.
The Summit will focus on changing workforce requirements, education-to-employment pathways, graduate placements, qualifications, research and opportunities for regional cooperation.
The programme will also include student presentations, workshops, industry engagement, a Job Market Fair and engagement between the Strategic Board and participating students.
Organisations representing government, education, hospitality, tourism, and workforce development support the event, including the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya, Strathmore University, and leading regional and international industry partners.
Event Details
Event: Future Leaders Platform Eastern Africa 2026, featuring the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance Summit
Dates: 26 and 27 October 2026
Venue: Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya
Patron: Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Kenya
Confirmed countries: 12
Participating institutions: 30
Student preparation journey: 10 weeks
Winner announcement: 26 October at 8 pm during the Celebration Dinner
About the Future Leaders Platform
The Future Leaders Platform is a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism.
It connects industry leaders, employers, educators, government representatives, strategic partners and future talent to develop talent, create opportunity and strengthen the future workforce.
Through national and regional ecosystems, the platform supports challenge-based learning, leadership development, education-to-employment pathways, entrepreneurship and professional collaboration.
Guided by the principle of Community over Competition, the Future Leaders Platform enables local impact and cross-border collaboration across the global hospitality and tourism community.
For more information, visit www.futureleadersplatform.com.
Media Contact
Mike Richters
Global Communications, Future Leaders Platform
mike@mwr.studio
WA +65-81650434
Media images: Download photographs from the 2025 Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa edition HERE. Captions and photo credits are included.
Under the patronage of Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, the 2026 edition will bring together 12 countries and 30 institutions in Nairobi to advance workforce development in hospitality and tourism
NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 6, 2026 – The Future Leaders Platform, a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism, will bring together industry leaders, educators and school directors, government representatives and future talent from 12 countries for its largest Eastern Africa edition yet, with 30 participating institutions.
Taking place at Strathmore University in Nairobi on 26 and 27 October 2026, the event will combine the Future Leaders Challenge with the School Directors Alliance Summit.
Held under the patronage of Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Kenya, the two-day programme will strengthen regional cooperation on workforce development, employment and entrepreneurship by connecting industry, education, government and future talent.
The 12 participating countries are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda.
Building a Regional Workforce-Development Ecosystem
“Bringing together 12 countries and 30 participating institutions makes this the largest Eastern Africa edition to date,” said Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers.
“It reflects a shared commitment to developing talent, creating opportunity and strengthening the hospitality and tourism workforce. Through the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance, we are creating stronger connections between education, employment, entrepreneurship and industry.
“Community over competition gives us the foundation to learn across borders and turn regional collaboration into meaningful local impact.”
Investing in an Inclusive Future Workforce
“The tourism sector is evolving, hence the dire need to invest in our youth and young professionals to navigate the rapidly changing landscape characterised by technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences and the increasing call for sustainability,” said Hon. Rebecca Miano.
“As the patron of Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa, I encourage all stakeholders to partner and collaborate with us to deliver on this noble cause.”
Her patronage reflects the importance of workforce development to the future growth and competitiveness of hospitality and tourism across the region.
A 10-Week Regional Challenge
Students from 30 institutions will undertake a 10-week preparation journey built around a shared hospitality and tourism workforce-development question:
“How might hospitality and tourism create inclusive pathways for young people, especially women and persons with disabilities, to develop relevant skills, access decent employment, and explore entrepreneurship through innovative solutions that respond to local realities and create sustainable impact?”
Following ten weeks of preparation around a challenge question formulated by the Eastern Africa Strategic Board, students will take part in the live Future Leaders Challenge in Nairobi, where they will present their ideas and vision to current industry and education leaders.
The Challenge gives students an opportunity to strengthen their skills in research, collaboration, communication, leadership and creative problem-solving while gaining direct access to industry knowledge, feedback and professional networks.
The winning team will be announced at 8 pm on 26 October during the Celebration Dinner at Strathmore University.
Eastern Africa Strategic Board
The Eastern Africa edition is guided by a Strategic Board comprising leaders from education, hospitality, tourism and regional organisations:
David Chiawo, Dean, School of Tourism and Hospitality, Strathmore University
Devota Mdachi, Head of Communication and Marketing Unit, National College of Tourism
Frank Mugisha, CEO, East Africa Tourism Platform
Hubert Ummels, Founder, Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers
Lilly Ajarova, Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism, Uganda
Michael Njogu, Managing Director, Sense of Africa East Africa, and Chief Operating Officer, Tourvest Destination Management
Mike Vroom, Chief Operations Officer, Hemingways Collection
Ryan Powell, Chief Operating Officer, Sales and Touring, andBeyond
Shivram Gangadharan, General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel and Residence Nairobi, Arboretum Park Lane
Simon Hodson, Country Manager Kenya, Accor
Together, the Strategic Board members help shape the Challenge, guide regional discussions and contribute their perspectives on hospitality and tourism workforce development.
Connecting Education with Employment
Alongside the Future Leaders Challenge, the School Directors Alliance Summit will convene education leaders from across the participating countries.
The Summit will focus on changing workforce requirements, education-to-employment pathways, graduate placements, qualifications, research and opportunities for regional cooperation.
The programme will also include student presentations, workshops, industry engagement, a Job Market Fair and engagement between the Strategic Board and participating students.
Organisations representing government, education, hospitality, tourism, and workforce development support the event, including the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya, Strathmore University, and leading regional and international industry partners.
Event Details
Event: Future Leaders Platform Eastern Africa 2026, featuring the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance Summit
Dates: 26 and 27 October 2026
Venue: Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya
Patron: Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Kenya
Confirmed countries: 12
Participating institutions: 30
Student preparation journey: 10 weeks
Winner announcement: 26 October at 8 pm during the Celebration Dinner
About the Future Leaders Platform
The Future Leaders Platform is a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism.
It connects industry leaders, employers, educators, government representatives, strategic partners and future talent to develop talent, create opportunity and strengthen the future workforce.
Through national and regional ecosystems, the platform supports challenge-based learning, leadership development, education-to-employment pathways, entrepreneurship and professional collaboration.
Guided by the principle of Community over Competition, the Future Leaders Platform enables local impact and cross-border collaboration across the global hospitality and tourism community.
For more information, visit www.futureleadersplatform.com.
Media Contact
Mike Richters
Global Communications, Future Leaders Platform
mike@mwr.studio
WA +65-81650434
Media images: Download photographs from the 2025 Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa edition HERE. Captions and photo credits are included.
Under the patronage of Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, the 2026 edition will bring together 12 countries and 30 institutions in Nairobi to advance workforce development in hospitality and tourism
NAIROBI, KENYA, OCTOBER 6, 2026 – The Future Leaders Platform, a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism, will bring together industry leaders, educators and school directors, government representatives and future talent from 12 countries for its largest Eastern Africa edition yet, with 30 participating institutions.
Taking place at Strathmore University in Nairobi on 26 and 27 October 2026, the event will combine the Future Leaders Challenge with the School Directors Alliance Summit.
Held under the patronage of Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Kenya, the two-day programme will strengthen regional cooperation on workforce development, employment and entrepreneurship by connecting industry, education, government and future talent.
The 12 participating countries are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda.
Building a Regional Workforce-Development Ecosystem
“Bringing together 12 countries and 30 participating institutions makes this the largest Eastern Africa edition to date,” said Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers.
“It reflects a shared commitment to developing talent, creating opportunity and strengthening the hospitality and tourism workforce. Through the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance, we are creating stronger connections between education, employment, entrepreneurship and industry.
“Community over competition gives us the foundation to learn across borders and turn regional collaboration into meaningful local impact.”
Investing in an Inclusive Future Workforce
“The tourism sector is evolving, hence the dire need to invest in our youth and young professionals to navigate the rapidly changing landscape characterised by technological advancements, shifting consumer preferences and the increasing call for sustainability,” said Hon. Rebecca Miano.
“As the patron of Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa, I encourage all stakeholders to partner and collaborate with us to deliver on this noble cause.”
Her patronage reflects the importance of workforce development to the future growth and competitiveness of hospitality and tourism across the region.
A 10-Week Regional Challenge
Students from 30 institutions will undertake a 10-week preparation journey built around a shared hospitality and tourism workforce-development question:
“How might hospitality and tourism create inclusive pathways for young people, especially women and persons with disabilities, to develop relevant skills, access decent employment, and explore entrepreneurship through innovative solutions that respond to local realities and create sustainable impact?”
Following ten weeks of preparation around a challenge question formulated by the Eastern Africa Strategic Board, students will take part in the live Future Leaders Challenge in Nairobi, where they will present their ideas and vision to current industry and education leaders.
The Challenge gives students an opportunity to strengthen their skills in research, collaboration, communication, leadership and creative problem-solving while gaining direct access to industry knowledge, feedback and professional networks.
The winning team will be announced at 8 pm on 26 October during the Celebration Dinner at Strathmore University.
Eastern Africa Strategic Board
The Eastern Africa edition is guided by a Strategic Board comprising leaders from education, hospitality, tourism and regional organisations:
David Chiawo, Dean, School of Tourism and Hospitality, Strathmore University
Devota Mdachi, Head of Communication and Marketing Unit, National College of Tourism
Frank Mugisha, CEO, East Africa Tourism Platform
Hubert Ummels, Founder, Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers
Lilly Ajarova, Senior Presidential Advisor on Tourism, Uganda
Michael Njogu, Managing Director, Sense of Africa East Africa, and Chief Operating Officer, Tourvest Destination Management
Mike Vroom, Chief Operations Officer, Hemingways Collection
Ryan Powell, Chief Operating Officer, Sales and Touring, andBeyond
Shivram Gangadharan, General Manager, Radisson Blu Hotel and Residence Nairobi, Arboretum Park Lane
Simon Hodson, Country Manager Kenya, Accor
Together, the Strategic Board members help shape the Challenge, guide regional discussions and contribute their perspectives on hospitality and tourism workforce development.
Connecting Education with Employment
Alongside the Future Leaders Challenge, the School Directors Alliance Summit will convene education leaders from across the participating countries.
The Summit will focus on changing workforce requirements, education-to-employment pathways, graduate placements, qualifications, research and opportunities for regional cooperation.
The programme will also include student presentations, workshops, industry engagement, a Job Market Fair and engagement between the Strategic Board and participating students.
Organisations representing government, education, hospitality, tourism, and workforce development support the event, including the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya, Strathmore University, and leading regional and international industry partners.
Event Details
Event: Future Leaders Platform Eastern Africa 2026, featuring the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance Summit
Dates: 26 and 27 October 2026
Venue: Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya
Patron: Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Kenya
Confirmed countries: 12
Participating institutions: 30
Student preparation journey: 10 weeks
Winner announcement: 26 October at 8 pm during the Celebration Dinner
About the Future Leaders Platform
The Future Leaders Platform is a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism.
It connects industry leaders, employers, educators, government representatives, strategic partners and future talent to develop talent, create opportunity and strengthen the future workforce.
Through national and regional ecosystems, the platform supports challenge-based learning, leadership development, education-to-employment pathways, entrepreneurship and professional collaboration.
Guided by the principle of Community over Competition, the Future Leaders Platform enables local impact and cross-border collaboration across the global hospitality and tourism community.
For more information, visit www.futureleadersplatform.com.
Media Contact
Mike Richters
Global Communications, Future Leaders Platform
mike@mwr.studio
WA +65-81650434
Media images: Download photographs from the 2025 Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa edition HERE. Captions and photo credits are included.
Bring your school, your city, or your workforce strategy into the ecosystem.
Schools attend free. Employers set the briefs. Governments use the outcomes. Choose your route in.
Bring your school, your city, or your workforce strategy into the ecosystem.
Schools attend free. Employers set the briefs. Governments use the outcomes. Choose your route in.
Bring your school, your city, or your workforce strategy into the ecosystem.
Schools attend free. Employers set the briefs. Governments use the outcomes. Choose your route in.
An initiative of the Future Leaders Platform – building the world's most connected hospitality and tourism talent ecosystem.
An initiative of the Future Leaders Platform – building the world's most connected hospitality and tourism talent ecosystem.
An initiative of the Future Leaders Platform – building the world's most connected hospitality and tourism talent ecosystem.
