South Africa ranked No. 1 destination for important meetings in Africa, Nigeria falls to 14th
The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has released its 2024 ranking for the most popular destination for important meetings in 2023. The ranking, released on May 13, 2024, recognised South Africa as the most popular destination for important meetings in 2023.
According to ICCA’s Africa Geographical Ranking, South Africa emerged as leader, followed by Rwanda, Kenya, Egypt, and Uganda as the top five most popular destinations for important meetings in 2023. The other African countries in the top 10 rankings were Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Niger.
Despite being Africa’s largest market by size, Nigeria was ranked the 14th most popular destination for important meetings in 2023. The ICCA noted that while geographical divisions serve administrative purposes, they may not always align with the collective interests and potential of regions.
Commenting on the report, Senthil Gopinath, CEO of ICCA, said the ICCA team reviewed all the meetings submitted by members, resulting in a report that includes over 10,000 meetings in calendar year 2023.
“Our research team has performed exceptionally in compiling this comprehensive data. It’s a cornerstone for our association, providing invaluable insights that empower our members and enhance our community’s strategic positioning.”
Gopinath highlighted the importance of these rankings, stating, “International meetings and events can bring positive outcomes to all corners of the globe, and ICCA looks forward to continuing its role as a vehicle for change.”
To foster collaboration and enhance the visibility of certain regions on the international stage, the ICCA introduced an alternative ranking system that distinguishes geographical regions from ICCA Chapter Regions. The rankings were based on its 2023 ICCA Business Analytics Country and City Rankings Report.
