Nigeria Bets On AACT 2026 To Boost Golf Tourism, Trade

Nigeria’s hosting of the 2026 All Africa Challenge Trophy (AACT) presents an opportunity to attract investment, strengthen business partnerships and promote Abuja as a destination for golf tourism, with organisers planning a Business and Economic Summit alongside the continental women’s championship.

Maryam Shehu, chairperson of the Government and Stakeholders Relations Committee for AACT Nigeria 2026, said the summit would provide a platform for businesses, entrepreneurs and investors to explore opportunities for collaboration and economic growth.

With the championship scheduled for November 2 to 7 at the IBB International Golf and Country Club, Abuja, the event is expected to bring together golfers, officials, administrators and other stakeholders from across Africa, creating opportunities for engagement beyond the competition.

Shehu said the summit would complement the sporting activities by encouraging discussions on investment, trade, tourism and economic cooperation, while connecting participants with potential business partners.

The initiative highlights the commercial potential of international sporting events, particularly in sectors such as hospitality, travel, transportation, catering, event management and tourism services.

For Abuja’s hospitality and tourism businesses, the arrival of teams, officials and other visitors presents an opportunity to showcase their services and build relationships that could extend beyond the championship.

The summit is also expected to explore how sport can support economic development by attracting investment, encouraging partnerships and strengthening commercial ties between African countries.

Shehu’s committee is working to engage government institutions and other stakeholders to ensure that the championship delivers benefits beyond the golf course.

The tournament’s wider economic significance lies in its potential to connect sporting excellence with business development, using golf as a meeting point for professionals, investors and institutions seeking opportunities across the continent.

Nigeria will host the All Africa Challenge Trophy for the third time, following previous editions in Lagos in 1996 and Abuja in 2010.

The 2026 championship will be held under the slogan “Uniting Africa through the Greens”, reflecting the organisers’ ambition to use golf to strengthen continental relationships and promote cooperation.

As preparations enter their final stages, the focus is on delivering a championship that advances women’s golf while showcasing Nigeria’s capacity to host international sporting events and creating opportunities for businesses in Abuja and beyond.

The Business and Economic Summit is expected to provide a platform for discussions on how such events can generate commercial interest, encourage investment and strengthen economic connections across Africa.