Africa Wellness Initiative
MISSION: The Africa Wellness Initiative exists to unite, promote and advance the African Wellness Industry by connecting and building a network of practitioners, organizations, communities, researchers, industry leaders and policymakers who preserve indigenous wisdom, foster innovation, promote education and support research. The intention is to elevate and position Africa as a Leader in the Global Wellness Industry, as well as to create sustainable opportunities across the Wellness ecosystem of Africa.
VISION: A future where Africa is recognized as a global leader in wellness tourism, healing traditions and cutting edge scientific innovation, where wellness development strengthens communities, protects cultural heritage, restores ecosystems. We envision Africa not only being celebrated for its wellness traditions, but helping shape the future of global wellbeing.
The Latest News and Resources
INITIATIVE RESOURCESÂ Â Â INITIATIVE TRENDSÂ Â Â INITIATIVE ARITCLES
Initiative Leadership
Initiative Chair
Mariane Akwenye, Managing Director, Nomad Group, Namibia
Mariane Akwenye, visionary founder of Nomad, an ecosystem of curated health and wellness offerings with a deep passion for culture and holistic well-being. With over two decades of experience, Mariane established the award-winning Nomad Wellness Homestead and Makai product line. She specializes in ancestry-inspired cultural wellness consultancy and has made her mark in high-end spa resorts across Southern Africa. Through her social enterprise, Mariane empowers undervalued women, particularly those with visual impairment, with essential skills for careers in the health and wellness industry. Transitioning from Namibia’s first black female commercial pilot to a Wellness Entrepreneur, Mariane now advocates for Wellness Tourism in her home country. Committed to inclusivity and promoting African heritage in wellness solutions, she is a pioneer and advocate of African wellness. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Vice-Chair
Michelle Saudan, Founder & Facilitator, Amanzi Wellbeing, Dubai-Zimbabwe
Michelle Saudan is an African-centred wellness consultant whose work spans wellness strategy, brand identity, concept development and the integration of African indigenous knowledge systems, partnering with hotels, safari lodges, destination developers, tourism boards and wellness brands to shape distinctive wellness identities and experiences. She bridges over a decade of experience in the international wellness industry with a deep grounding in Southern African indigenous knowledge systems and hands-on experience facilitating healing practices, helping translate living traditions of wellbeing into contemporary wellness and hospitality with cultural integrity. In 2023–24, she was awarded the Global Wellness Summit’s Susie Ellis Scholarship for Equity in Wellness. At the heart of Michelle’s work is a commitment to ensuring that Africa’s indigenous knowledge systems are preserved and respected as living systems of wellbeing, with the elders, healers and knowledge keepers who carry them recognised as essential partners in shaping the future of wellness. Connect with me on LinkedIn.
Objectives
The Initiative will include the innovative use and promotion of indigenous African plants, robust programs, and events to build up a strong educational and entrepreneurial spirit within the African spa and wellness industry, as well as help strengthen the industry in terms of standards and accreditation within Africa.
Initiative Members
Meet the renowned thought leaders in this field who are collaborating to educate and evolve wellness in this area of global importance.
Initiative Resources
View the research, trends, whitepapers, infographics and more from this Initiative, as well as a curated list of third party resources.
