The Innovation and Employability Forum of the Erasmus+ HOST-EG Project has established itself as a key meeting space between academia and the professional and business world, particularly within the field of sustainable tourism. Focused on lectures delivered by executives and entrepreneurs, the Forum offered students, professors, and aspiring business leaders the opportunity to learn first-hand about real experiences, current trends, challenges, and opportunities in tourism in Equatorial Guinea.
Jointly organized by the National University of Equatorial Guinea (UNGE) and the Afro-American University of Central Africa (AAUCA), the event was held on June 9 and 10, 2025, at the Paraninfo of the Faculty of Pedagogy and Educational Sciences on UNGE’s Bata campus, located in the continental region of the country. The initiative was defined during the project’s mid-term meeting held in January 2025 at the AAUCA campus, with the participation of representatives from the European partner universities — the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) and the University of Madeira (UMa).
A bridge between academia and the tourism sector
The Forum brought together academic authorities, deans, project coordinators, professors, and technical staff from both universities, as well as professionals from the business and tourism sectors. In total, around 60 students participated actively, with a general attendance of 117 people on June 9 (89 from UNGE and 28 from AAUCA) and 96 on June 10 (72 from UNGE and 24 from AAUCA). The difference in attendance was due to the distance between AAUCA’s campus in Djibloho and UNGE’s campus in Bata, approximately 170 kilometers apart.
The opening ceremony was presided over by Dr. Crisantos Onde Asumu, Vice-Rector of UNGE, accompanied by Mr. Antonio Nsue Ada, local coordinator of the HOST-EG project at UNGE, and Mr. Marcos Bonohari Elako, local coordinator at AAUCA. The opening session included presentations summarizing the progress of the HOST-EG project, UNGE’s internationalization strategies, and an institutional overview of AAUCA.
Four keynote sessions on entrepreneurship and innovation in sustainable tourism
The core of the Forum consisted of four participatory sessions dedicated to entrepreneurship, innovation, and employability, with a particular focus on sustainable tourism.
On June 9, the first two sessions featured:
“Entrepreneur and Work When No One Hires You”, presented by Mr. Francisco Javier Esono Mbile, graduate in Economics from UNGE and accountant at Grupo Martínez Hermanos, who emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship in the context of high youth unemployment, encouraging young people to create opportunities from their own ideas and skills.
“The Importance of Hospitality in the Tourism Sector and Its Impact on the Development and Management of Luxury Hotels Management (LHM) in Equatorial Guinea”, led by Mr. Eduardo Tarazana, Training Coordinator at the Gran Hotel Djibloho, who highlighted hospitality as an economic driver and underlined the need for professional and high-quality management in the hotel sector.
On June 10, the two main sessions were:
3. “Managing the Food and Beverage Department at the Gran Hotel Djibloho”, delivered by Mr. Nicasio Mbega, Events Manager at the same hotel, who explained how efficient management of the food and beverage area can be key to profitability, reputation, and the quality of the tourism experience.
4. “What Should I Invest In?”, presented by Ms. María Ángela Consuelo Benga Nguema, Territorial Director of BANGE and entrepreneur, who shared her experience in creating a line of sustainable cosmetic products, inspiring young people to undertake projects with purpose, creativity, and social commitment.
Student recognition and closing ceremony
During the second day, Mr. Antonio Nsue Ada, local coordinator of the project at UNGE, presented a summary of the HOST-EG project. This was followed by the certificate ceremony for Tourism degree students who participated in the “Launch Your Business” training course, developed under Task 3.2 of the HOST-EG project.
The eight students selected — four from UNGE and four from AAUCA — who will carry out training placements at the University of Madeira (Portugal) and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (Spain) were also introduced.
Feedback from participants was presented by Mr. Jesús Mangue Osa, a Tourism student at UNGE. The Forum concluded with a closing speech by Dr. Crisantos Onde Asumu, Vice-Rector of UNGE, who highlighted the importance of the event as a bridge connecting universities, the business sector, and innovation in sustainable tourism.
Connecting knowledge and entrepreneurial action
Beyond the lectures, the Forum acted as a catalyst for collaboration between universities and the productive sector, fostering potential partnerships, mentorships, and joint projects. This exchange enriched academic training with practical experience, strengthened the entrepreneurial mindset among young people, and enhanced employability through a deeper understanding of the professional environment.
The HOST-EG Project (“Fostering Sustainable Growth and Employment by Building Higher Education Capacities in Hospitality and Tourism Management in Equatorial Guinea”) is co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus+ Programme and brings together four universities: UNGE, AAUCA, ULPGC, and UMa. Its goal is to strengthen higher education capacities and promote innovation, sustainability, and entrepreneurship in the field of tourism in Equatorial Guinea.
