The 5th Annual Hajj and Umrah Conference and Exhibition has ended in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with Ghana among countries that participated in the four-day international event aimed at strengthening coordination and improving services for the annual pilgrimage.

Organised by the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, the conference was held from November 9 to 12, 2025, at the Jeddah Superdome and brought together officials, industry leaders and decision-makers from more than 95 countries.

The Pilgrims Affairs Office of Ghana (PAOG) was represented by a high-level delegation led by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim, who joined other heads of Hajj affairs offices to discuss preparations for the 2026 Hajj season.

During the event, Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Hajj and Umrah, Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al Rabiah, signed official Hajj agreements with participating countries, including Ghana, for the 1447 AH (2026) Hajj season.

The signing of the agreements marked a major milestone in the buildup to next year’s pilgrimage, with more than one million pilgrim contracts concluded at the conference, the highest number recorded so far.

In a closing address, the Saudi minister reaffirmed the Kingdom’s commitment to continuously improve and modernise Hajj and Umrah services in line with Saudi Vision 2030.

He noted that the Nusuk app, an official digital platform for Hajj and Umrah services, now has over 40 million users, underscoring the growing role of technology in enhancing the pilgrimage experience.

The conference featured over 143 dialogue sessions and workshops covering key areas such as logistics, housing, catering, sustainable architecture and digital transformation.

More than 260 exhibitors also showcased innovative technologies and services across a 52,000 square metre exhibition space at the Jeddah Superdome.

Ghana’s participation in the conference, according to the PAOG, forms part of efforts to strengthen collaboration with Saudi authorities and ensure smooth arrangements for Ghanaian pilgrims ahead of the 2026 Hajj.

The delegation, led by Alhaji Abdul-Rauf Tanko Ibrahim, is expected back home in the coming days to brief stakeholders on the outcomes of the conference.