S. Sudan to join regional hospitality and tourism workforce initiative in Nairobi

South Sudan will join 11 other African countries at a major regional hospitality and tourism workforce-development initiative in Nairobi later this month, as young people, educators, government representatives and industry leaders gather to discuss the future of employment and entrepreneurship in the sector.

The Future Leaders Platform Eastern Africa 2026 will take place at Strathmore University in Nairobi on 26 and 27 October, bringing together 30 participating institutions from 12 countries, including South Sudan.

The countries participating are Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, South Sudan, Madagascar, Tanzania and Uganda.

The event will combine the Future Leaders Challenge with the School Directors Alliance Summit, with a focus on strengthening links between education, employment, entrepreneurship and the hospitality and tourism industry.

For South Sudan, participation provides an opportunity for institutions and young people to engage with regional counterparts and explore how skills development, education and entrepreneurship can contribute to opportunities in the country’s emerging tourism sector.

Focus on young people and employment

The Future Leaders Challenge involves students from participating institutions undertaking a 10-week preparation program focused on a shared workforce-development question.

The central question asks: “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?”

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 while giving 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 26 October.

Opportunity for South Sudan’s tourism sector

The organisers say the regional initiative comes at a time when the tourism sector is changing rapidly, driven by technological developments, changing consumer preferences and growing expectations around sustainability.

The event is being held under the patronage of Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife of Kenya.

“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,” Miano said.

“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.”

For South Sudan, the discussions are particularly relevant as the country seeks to develop its tourism potential and create more opportunities for young people.

Participation in the regional platform could also give South Sudanese education institutions an opportunity to learn from counterparts across East Africa about curriculum development, graduate placements, industry partnerships and pathways from education into employment.

Education leaders to discuss workforce needs

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, as well as engagement between the Eastern Africa Strategic Board and participating students.

The Strategic Board includes leaders from education, hospitality, tourism and regional organisations, including representatives from Strathmore University, the East Africa Tourism Platform, Uganda’s tourism sector, Tourvest Destination Management, Hemingways Collection, and major international hospitality groups.

Building regional connections

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.

“Bringing together 12 countries and 30 participating 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. Through the Future Leaders Challenge and School Directors Alliance, we are creating stronger connections between education, employment, entrepreneurship and industry.”

He added: “Community over competition gives us 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.

The Nairobi event will take place on 26 and 27 October 2026 at Strathmore University.

South Sudan is one of the 12 countries participating in the regional initiative, providing an opportunity for South Sudanese students and education institutions to engage directly with the wider East African hospitality and tourism community