By Samuel Hinga Norman
Freetown,10th July 2026- Sierra Leone has been selected to host the 3rd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa from 2nd to 4th December 2026, marking another major milestone in the country’s growing profile as an emerging tourism destination on the African continent.
The announcement was made by the Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs, Nabeela Farida Tunis, during a press conference held on Thursday, 9 July 2026, at the Ministry’s conference hall in Freetown. The decision was finalized during the 69th UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) and the Thematic Conference on Strengthening Human Capital to Boost Africa’s Tourism Growth, held in Mahé, Seychelles, from 2nd to 4th July 2026.
Sierra Leone’s successful bid reflects the country’s increasing influence within UN Tourism, formerly known as the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). Since strengthening its engagement with the organization in recent years, Sierra Leone has continued to gain international recognition for its commitment to sustainable tourism development, cultural preservation, and destination promotion.
The UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa is a high-level platform that promotes gastronomy tourism as a driver of economic growth, cultural preservation, sustainable development, job creation, and community empowerment. The forum brings together tourism ministers, policymakers, chefs, hospitality professionals, entrepreneurs, development partners, and industry experts from across Africa to showcase the continent’s rich culinary heritage while exploring opportunities for innovation and investment in food tourism.
The 2nd Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa was hosted by Tanzania. Sierra Leone will now become the third African nation to stage the prestigious event, welcoming delegates from across the continent to experience the country’s diverse culinary traditions and cultural heritage. Expressing appreciation for the achievement, Minister Nabeela Farida Tunis thanked the Ministry of Finance for its continued support in making the hosting of the forum possible.
“I want to express my sincere appreciation to the Ministry of Finance for supporting this initiative. Their commitment has made it possible for Sierra Leone to host this important continental event,” she said.
The Minister said the forum will provide Sierra Leone with an opportunity to present its rich culinary traditions to an international audience while strengthening the country’s tourism brand.
“We are looking forward to welcoming delegates from across Africa to experience the richness of Sierra Leonean cuisine and to share the unique flavours that define our cultural identity,” she stated.
She added that gastronomy has the potential to become a significant tourism product capable of generating economic opportunities for communities across the country.
“We believe many visitors will develop a genuine interest in our cuisine. Gastronomy is an important asset that can add value to our tourism sector, diversify our tourism products, create employment, support local businesses, and contribute to national economic growth,” the Minister noted.
The forum is expected to attract the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, ministers responsible for tourism from across Africa, development partners, culinary experts, hospitality stakeholders, investors, and other international delegates. Beyond celebrating African cuisine, the event will provide a platform for knowledge sharing, networking, investment discussions, and collaboration on using food and culture as tools for sustainable tourism development.
For Sierra Leone, hosting the forum is expected to strengthen the country’s international visibility, increase visitor arrivals, stimulate investment in the hospitality and tourism industries, promote local agricultural products, support chefs, food vendors, artisans, and small businesses, and create new opportunities for cultural exchange. It also reinforces the country’s growing reputation as a destination that offers not only pristine beaches and natural attractions but also a vibrant and authentic culinary experience.
The hosting of the 3rd UN Tourism Regional Forum on Gastronomy for Africa represents another significant step in Sierra Leone’s efforts to position tourism as a key pillar of national development while showcasing the country’s rich cultural heritage and strengthening its standing within the global tourism community.
