(JUBA, SOUTH SUDAN) – South Sudan will join 11 other African countries at a regional hospitality and tourism workforce event in Nairobi later this month.
The Future Leaders Platform Eastern Africa 2026 will take place at Strathmore University in Nairobi on 26th and 27th October 2026.
It will bring together 30 participating institutions from 12 countries, including South Sudan.
The other countries are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda.
The event will combine the Future Leaders Challenge with the School Directors Alliance Summit.
It will focus on strengthening links between education, employment, entrepreneurship and the hospitality and tourism industry.
It will also allow participants to explore how skills development, education and entrepreneurship can contribute to opportunities in the country’s emerging tourism sector.
The Future Leaders Challenge involves students from participating institutions undertaking a 10-week preparation programme focused on a shared workforce question.
The central question asks how hospitality and tourism can create inclusive pathways for young people, especially women and persons with disabilities.
It asks how they can develop relevant skills, access decent employment and explore entrepreneurship through innovative solutions that respond to local realities and create sustainable impact.
Students will present their ideas during the live challenge in Nairobi, where they will engage with industry and education leaders.
The programme is designed to develop practical skills in research, collaboration, communication, leadership and creative problem-solving.
It also gives students access to industry knowledge, professional feedback and networks.
The winning team will be announced during a celebration dinner at Strathmore University on the evening of 26th October 2026.
Organisers say the regional initiative comes at a time when the tourism sector is changing rapidly.
The changes are driven by technological developments, shifting consumer preferences and growing expectations around sustainability.
The event is being held under the patronage of Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya.
Miano said the tourism sector is evolving, hence the need to invest in youth and young professionals to navigate the rapidly changing landscape.
She said as patron of Future Leaders Challenge Eastern Africa, she encourages all stakeholders to partner and collaborate to deliver on this cause.
Participation could also give South Sudanese education institutions a chance to learn from counterparts across East Africa.
This includes lessons on curriculum development, graduate placements, industry partnerships and pathways from education into employment.
Alongside the student challenge, the School Directors Alliance Summit will bring together education leaders from participating countries.
Discussions will cover changing workforce requirements, education-to-employment pathways, graduate placements, qualifications, research and opportunities for regional cooperation.
The programme will also feature student presentations, workshops, industry engagement and a Job Market Fair.
There will also be engagement between the Eastern Africa Strategic Board and participating students.
The Strategic Board includes leaders from education, hospitality, tourism and regional organisations.
These include representatives from Strathmore University, the East Africa Tourism Platform, Uganda’s tourism sector, Tourvest Destination Management, Hemingways Collection, and major international hospitality groups.
Hubert Ummels, Founder of the Future Leaders Platform and GameChangers, said the participation of 12 countries and 30 institutions makes this the largest Eastern Africa edition to date.
Ummels said it reflects a shared commitment to developing talent, creating opportunity and strengthening the hospitality and tourism workforce.
He said through the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance, stronger connections are being created between education, employment, entrepreneurship and industry.
He added that community over competition gives the foundation to learn across borders and turn regional collaboration into meaningful local impact.
The Future Leaders Platform describes itself as a global workforce-development and talent ecosystem for hospitality and tourism.
It connects industry leaders, employers, educators, governments, strategic partners and future talent through challenge-based learning, leadership development, education-to-employment pathways and entrepreneurship.
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