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Frankfurt a. M., September 22, 2025. At the recently held African Climate Summit in Addis Ababa, investments in sustainable projects were the main focus, combining economic growth with ecological responsibility. Against this backdrop, new infrastructure projects in Ethiopia, Rwanda and Angola open promising perspectives to strengthen Africa’s tourism sector while promoting local value creation as well as sustainable development.
Ethiopia’s New Nile Dam: Energy Production Meets Nature Tourism
With the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), one of Africa’s largest hydropower plants has been put into operation in Ethiopia. The dam not only provides renewable energy for millions of people, but also holds enormous potential for tourism.
The reservoir covers about 1,700 square kilometers and is home to more than 70 islands with impressive biodiversity. This scenic variety offers ideal conditions for nature-based tourism such as boat tours, birdwatching and cultural experiences, supported by the resident communities of the Berta, Gumuz, Mao, Komo and Shinasha. A planned floating resort is also intended to serve as a model for ecotourism.
Functioning transport connections and high-quality accommodation are crucial for the success of tourism. Equally important is the consistent protection of the environment to preserve the natural appeal of the region in the long term.
First Electric Air Taxi Presented in Rwanda: Innovation for Tourism
Rwanda is working on alternative, sustainable solutions for urban and interregional passenger transport. At the 2025 African Aviation Summit in Kigali, Africa’s first autonomous electric air taxi was presented – a strong signal that innovation can emerge directly from the African continent.
For tourism, the air taxi opens up completely new possibilities: in the future, travelers could reach remote national parks, mountain landscapes or lakes in the shortest possible time. The two-seater, electrically powered vehicle with 16 electric motors reaches speeds of up to 130 km/h, reduces travel times and connects hard-to-reach regions. It underscores Rwanda’s role as a pioneer in technology and sustainable mobility in Africa.
Lobito Corridor in Angola: New Railway Project as Africa’s Tourism Backbone
The Lobito Railway Corridor connects the port of Lobito in Angola with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia. The historic route, around 1,300 kilometers long, has been under modernization since 2018 and is already operational on the Angolan side. Regular trains are already running there, while the connection in DR Congo and Zambia will be further expanded in the coming years.
The railway not only provides new impetus for trade, but also for tourism. Improved connectivity makes previously hard-to-reach natural and cultural treasures along the route accessible. From the Atlantic coast, the line leads across the Huambo Plateau with its picturesque highlands and fertile valleys to the vast steppes of eastern Angola.
Rovos Rail already uses parts of the Lobito Corridor for its luxury train journeys along the historic Benguela Railway, such as from Lobito to the Victoria Falls. The Copper Trail Route runs through Angola, DR Congo, Zambia and Zimbabwe and combines scenic contrasts with cultural experiences, safari activities and boat trips on the Kafue River.
Through targeted tourism offerings along the route, the Lobito Corridor could become a key route for sustainable and cross-border tourism in Africa. It not only strengthens regional integration, but also offers new economic opportunities for local communities.
Hanna Kleber, founder of Voice4Africa, emphasizes: “These projects initiated from within Africa demonstrate how sustainable infrastructure can drive tourism as an important growth engine of the continent. Investments in mobility, energy and the environment create the basis for more travelers from Africa and around the world to discover the continent’s diversity beyond the well-known hotspots while simultaneously benefiting the local population.”
About Voice4Africa
VOICE4AFRICA is an initiative of the KLEBER GROUP, a full-service PR agency with a special focus on tourism and long-standing expertise in Africa. Together with African tour operators, the initiative promotes responsible tourism to Africa as a means of fostering intercultural understanding and as a driver for sustainable development. Voice4Africa is a founding member of the business initiative ReThinking Africa and recipient of the Corps Touristique Award for Intercultural Understanding.
Press contact:
Hanna Kleber and Julia Kleber | Management
Friederike Galuschky | Senior Consultant Communications
Hamburger Allee 45
60486 Frankfurt am Main
Tel: +49 (69) 71 91 36 0
Email: hanna.kleber@klebergroup.com
and julia.kleber@klebergroup.com
/ friederike.galuschky@klebergroup.com
Web: https://voice4africa.de/
LinkedIn: Voice4Africa / Kleber Group
Image rights: Landscape in Benguela, Angola © Ministry of Tourism of Angola @ Kleber Group, Credit: Robert Haidinger