In a significant development for the startup ecosystem, a recent study by the World Travel and Tourism Council predicts that Lagos, Nigeria will emerge as the global leader in business travel spending by 2032. The city is expected to account for the largest share of business travel spending worldwide, surpassing other major commercial hubs.

This trend is driven by the growing importance of domestic travel in the initial stages of recovery, as companies focus on rebuilding local connections and driving regional growth. While international travel is expected to take longer to reach pre-2019 levels, Lagos' strategic position as a center of economic growth and trade in Africa and the Middle East is set to propel it to the top spot.

The study also highlights the importance of cities proactively establishing policies to manage visitor flows and protect local infrastructure, as the risk of overcrowding looms in popular destinations. This development is expected to have significant implications for startups and entrepreneurs operating in the travel and tourism sectors, as well as those looking to tap into the growing business travel market in Africa.

With Lagos, Cape Town, and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Riyadh in Saudi Arabia rounding out the top four cities, the study underscores the growing importance of the MEA region in the global business travel landscape. As the world recovers from recent disruptions, this trend is set to shape the future of business travel and tourism in the coming decade.