Didier Bayeye-Mbombo: When the Sun Suddenly Set at Noon…
My Tribute to a Pan-African Brother and Tourism Diplomat
To the world, Didier Bayeye-Mbombo was the Chief Operations Officer of the Africa Tourism Board (ATB) and the award-winning face of Sun International’s African expansion. But to those of us who walked the trade show floors of the continent with him, he was much more: he was a man of infectious energy, a constant “hailer” and, above all, a man of his word.
A Journey Started in Port Harcourt
My own journey with Didier began in 2017. I was working with Afro Tourism W/Africa Ltd when we met for the first time at the Port Harcourt Bantaba, organised by Ikechi Uko, the celebrated tourism icon and founder of ATQ News. I remember that first encounter clearly—we spoke briefly, and with that professional poise he was known for, he handed me his card.
That exchange sparked a friendship that spanned nearly a decade. We became fixtures at the events organised by ATQ News—Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos and Accra Weizo in Ghana. To see Didier at these gatherings was to see a man in his element, bridging the gap between his Congolese roots, his South African base, and his West African colleagues.
A Tourism Love Story
One of the most heartening aspects of Didier’s journey was seeing his life intertwine with Shirley Favour. Their love story is legendary within our circles, having blossomed at Akwaaba 2018.
By Akwaaba 2019, they were the industry’s “it-couple.” I vividly remember the joy in the room when the newly-married pair won prizes from Ethiopian Airlines. It felt like the continent itself was rewarding them for their shared passion for travel. It was a moment of pure celebration, proving that the industry didn’t just provide a career for Didier—it provided a family.
The “Lockdown Debt” and the Nairobi Smile
Didier was famous for his “ebullience.” Last September, when we met at Eko Hotels during Akwaaba 2025, he hailed me with that signature warmth, “More Cream Than Coffee!” That has become my identity since I introduced myself during a session at Accra Weizo 2019. I teased him then about a “debt” he owed me—a prize he had offered during a COVID-19 lockdown Q&A on a mutual WhatsApp platform. Having moved on from Sun International at this point, the original prize had become unviable. We laughed about the passage of time, and in his typical generous fashion, he offered to monetize it.
A month later, we saw each other again from across the room at the Magical Kenya Travel Expo in Nairobi—a wave, a smile, and that constant sense of connection that followed him everywhere.
A Final Act of Integrity in Limbe
Our final chapter together took place this past March during the Cameroon International Tourism Fair. At the welcome dinner at Santa Fe Beach Resort, Limbe, his voice rang out unmistakable, hailing me across the room, “More Cream Than Coffee!” He jokingly accused me of always disappearing before he can settle his debt, as we stood with Siira Mutseke from Uganda, sipping some wine before food was served. We spent those days exploring Cameroon together, traveling from the coastal beauty of Limbe to the bustle of Douala.
Just before our final departures, Didier pulled me aside. True to his character and refusing to let a years-old promise go unfulfilled, he squeezed some cash into my hand. “Before I forget again, and you disappear” he said with a grin. We joked one last time about the sheer number of photos I must have taken of him over the years—capturing a man who was always in motion, always building.
A Legacy of Connection
Didier’s professional accolades were numerous. He was the “Sun Man” who became the COO of the Africa Tourism Board, a linguist fluent in English, French, and Portuguese, and a mentor to many. But his greatest legacy isn’t found in a trophy case; it is found in the way he treated people.
Didier, you were a bridge-builder who never forgot a face or a promise.
