AMN PLUS-October 20, 2026
Bahir Dar, Ethiopia’s picturesque lakeside city, is preparing to welcome African leaders, diplomats, policymakers, and other distinguished guests for the 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa, further strengthening its profile as a destination for conference tourism, diplomacy, and investment.
Conference tourism plays a vital role in driving economic growth, creating employment opportunities, and stimulating infrastructure development. It also provides host cities with an important platform to showcase their natural beauty, cultural heritage, tourist attractions, and local traditions to the international community.
Situated along the spectacular shores of Lake Tana, Bahir Dar has become a regular host of the Tana Forum, welcoming prominent African leaders and policymakers for high-level discussions on peace, security, and the continent’s broader challenges.
Over the years, the forum has helped raise the city’s international profile while creating opportunities to promote its tourism potential and attract visitors from across Africa and beyond.
The annual gathering offers Bahir Dar a valuable opportunity to showcase its natural attractions, rich cultural heritage, and tourism resources, positioning the city as an emerging hub for conference tourism, business, and diplomatic engagement.
The 12th edition of the forum is expected to further enhance Bahir Dar’s standing at continental and international levels, strengthen its global reputation, and encourage more visitors to explore the city and its surrounding attractions.
Senior African leaders, ambassadors, diplomats, and other prominent participants are expected to attend this year’s gathering, which will provide a platform for dialogue on peace, security, and other pressing issues affecting Africa.
In preparation for the event, the city administration, in collaboration with relevant institutions, has been working to make Bahir Dar cleaner, more attractive, and better equipped to welcome its distinguished guests.
Beyond its diplomatic significance, the forum is expected to create opportunities for economic cooperation and investment. The participation of influential African leaders and international stakeholders will offer investors a chance to explore Bahir Dar’s business potential and the wider economic opportunities available across the region.
The gathering also highlights the important role of major international conferences in connecting cities with global partners, expanding tourism markets, and promoting sustainable economic development.
The 12th Tana High-Level Forum on Security in Africa is scheduled to take place in Bahir Dar from October 23 to 25, 2026.
The event is expected to reinforce the city’s role as a destination for high-level African dialogue while expanding opportunities for tourism development, international engagement, and investment-driven economic growth.
By Birhanu Workneh
