MEADFA President Sherif Toulan.

The Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association (MEADFA) has been elected to serve on ACI Africa’s board for a three-year term (2023-2025).

Confirmed during last week’s 32nd ACI Africa/World Annual General Assembly, Conference, and Exhibition (WAGA) in Marrakesh, Morocco (22-28 October), MEADFA becomes – ostensibly – the first and only duty free association to serve on the ACI Africa Board.

Sherif Toulan, President, MEADFA, stated: “We are pleased to be a member of the ACI Africa board. This will strengthen our existing relationship since we joined the organisation in 2018. It will facilitate our efforts to communicate the voice of the duty free and travel retail industry in Africa.”

Ali Tounsi, Secretary General of ACI Africa, commented: “We would like to congratulate and welcome the Middle East & Africa Duty Free Association as one of the first industry bodies to join the ACI Africa Board. Their presence will highlight on the importance of non-aeronautical revenue in African airports.”

Rob Marriott, Chair of the MEADFA advocacy group and Chief Executive Officer at Aer Rianta International Middle East, added: “That is very positive news, and we are looking forward to working closely with ACI Africa in the future and contributing to the development and growth of the duty free industry in Africa.”

The MEADFA Conference will take place on 27-29 November at the Art Hotel & Resort, Bahrain.