We Are Africa Local expands to a dedicated 1.5-day event for 2026
Building on the resounding success of its 2025 debut, WAA Local will return in a supercharged format from 4–5 May 2026, now extended to a full day and a half of pre-scheduled meetings, strategic networking, and powerful local channel engagement.
Following phenomenal industry feedback and several months of engagement, the expanded 2026 format is designed to deepen connections and give exhibitors even greater reach and access to Southern Africa’s most influential trade professionals.
What’s new for 2026?
The enhanced We Are Africa Local programme includes:
- An expanded format over 1.5 days, at the start of the We Are Africa 2026 week
- Increased to 21 appointments per WAA Local diary
- 2 Networking lunches
- 1 pitchside party at DHL Stadium
- WAA Local Awards - honouring our local heroes!
WAA Local 2026 offers a rare opportunity for 250 local travel professionals to connect with the continent’s leading travel brands. This is where Africa’s travel tribe gathers to honour local spirit and drive Africa’s travel industry forward with pride, purpose and presence.
“Last year was our opportunity to prove the concept and give everyone a taste of what to expect. WAA Local showed its value and is emerging as a highly specialised trade fair in its own right. We’ll be doubling down on our efforts in this exciting space!” Ryan Wallace, MD & Co-founder, We Are Africa.
What the tribe had to say in 2025:
“Great experience, great buyers and loved the WAA Local event - a super initiative” Roberto Viviani, Legendary Expeditions & Chem Chem Safaris
“Great initiative and really good to connect with the inbound sector, especially after meeting the source market agents.” Walter Smith, Ker & Downey Botswana
“It was amazing, so wonderful to connect and meet so many suppliers that we would not normally have access to.” Olivia Burton Barbour, Steadfast Africa
“WAA Local was a complete success. It gave us as a DMC the opportunity to meet with trade partners we often struggle to meet with throughout the year, during a week that is already dedicated to trade work and travel.” Alex Lategan, Journey Beyond
“I thought it was really fantastic. There was a great energy, I had very insightful meetings and it was exceptionally well organised.” Kim Anderson, Singita
We Are Africa Local 2026 will once again take place at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium from Monday 4th to Tuesday 5th May 2026, offering exhibitors the chance to meet with hundreds of Southern Africa-based trade professionals – including top-performing agents, DMC owners, contracting managers and product managers – all under one roof.