Gaborone – The Mafitlhakgosi Traditional Group brought Botswana’s cultural heritage to life at the AviaDev Africa 2026 Welcome Reception at the Grand Palm Hotel in Gaborone, captivating delegates from across the continent with a performance of music, dance, and storytelling.
The reception, held on the opening evening of the three-day aviation forum, officially welcomed more than 450 delegates to Botswana and set the tone for what organisers hope will be three days of meaningful engagement on aviation, tourism, investment, and air connectivity.
The Botswana Tourism Organisation was among the sponsors of the evening, using the platform to position Botswana as a competitive tourism and investment destination. The organisation’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Justice Ofentse addressed delegates and described hosting AviaDev Africa 2026 as both an honour and a defining moment for the country. 
“Aviation is a catalyst for tourism, trade, investment, and regional integration. Connectivity is a key enabler of economic growth and opportunity,” he said.
Ofentse encouraged delegates to use the forum to build meaningful partnerships and help address Africa’s connectivity challenges, while also inviting guests to explore Botswana as a destination offering world-class tourism experiences and a stable investment climate.
Earlier in the day, delegates had taken part in a city tour of Gaborone that included visits to the Three Dikgosi Monument, the Parliament of Botswana, and the National Museum and Monuments, giving aviation stakeholders a taste of the country’s history, governance, and cultural heritage beyond the conference halls.
