Tourism in Africa has seen a surge of interest following the Covid-19 pandemic, with increasing numbers of travelers discovering the wonders of the continent. This dynamic has also stimulated the creation of innovative African start-ups in the tourism sector, which seek to meet specific market needs.
These start-ups include companies like SleepOut, Ojimah and Tripesa, which have launched to offer solutions tailored to small and medium-sized tourism businesses. For example, Tripesa provides businesses with technological tools such as quality website creation and online payments, allowing them to compete with larger players in the sector.
One of the major assets of these African start-ups is the widespread use of Mobile Money, a telephone payment solution which was launched around fifteen years ago in Kenya. This secure and efficient payment method is widely used across Africa, providing a convenient solution for online reservations and payments, as offered by start-up Bongalo.
However, despite this growth potential, Africa still faces certain challenges to fully develop its tourism potential. It is essential to highlight and develop the many tourist sites which are often neglected or abandoned. Cameroon, for example, has magnificent waterfalls, heavenly beaches and exceptional biodiversity, but these assets remain largely unknown.
It is therefore work to raise awareness and promote the continent’s tourism assets that must be undertaken. African start-ups play a key role in this dynamic, by offering innovative solutions to promote tourism in Africa.
Although they are still far from competing with global giants such as Airbnb and Booking, these African start-ups have enormous growth potential. There remains an ocean of possibilities to explore, and with the necessary support, African tourism can become a true source of economic development for the continent.
In conclusion, tourism in Africa is booming, supported by the emergence of innovative start-ups that offer solutions adapted to the specific needs of the African market. With the widespread use of Mobile Money and the valorization of often neglected tourist sites, Africa has enormous potential to become a leading tourist destination. African start-ups play a key role in this dynamic and can contribute to the economic development of the continent.