Andreas Kötter, President of the World Lottery Association (WLA), has expressed strong confidence in Ghana’s ability to host the World Lottery Summit in 2028. He shared this sentiment during a high-level working visit to Ghana last week. During the visit, Kötter interacted with Alhaji Mohammed Abdul-Salam, Director-General of the National Lottery Authority (NLA), and the executive management team.
The WLA delegation included Executive Director Luca Esposito and Events Coordinator François Pellaud-Pautrot. Kötter described the visit as a positive signal of support for Africa’s growing influence in the global lottery industry. He specifically praised the NLA for its clear vision and operational efficiency.
The primary focus of the visit was to evaluate Ghana’s conference facilities and general infrastructure. The delegation sought to gain first-hand knowledge of the country’s readiness beyond theoretical reviews. Kötter noted that Ghana’s ambition to become a blueprint for lottery organizations in Africa is the right path forward. He pledged his personal support to help the NLA fulfill this vision.
Beyond operational metrics, the WLA President commended the NLA for its social impact. He highlighted the authority’s corporate social responsibility initiatives as a key factor in its success. Ghana has already gained the confidence of the WLA Executive Committee as a viable host for the 2028 summit. There is also a strong possibility that Accra will host a WLA Executive Committee meeting as early as June 2026.
Kötter explained that the delegation came to Accra to appreciate its infrastructure and send a clear signal of confidence to the entire continent. He emphasized that the Executive Committee views Africa as a region with immense potential. By visiting in person, the WLA aims to show direct support for its African members and recognize their contributions to the global industry.
If the bid is officially approved, Ghana will become the first West African country to host the World Lottery Summit. Kötter mentioned that he was deeply honored by Ghana’s rich history and culture, stating that the visit created memories the team would treasure.
The NLA has a proven track record of managing large-scale international events. In December 2025, the authority successfully organized the African Lotteries Association (ALA) Board of Directors meeting in Accra. Previously, in December 2022, it hosted an ALA Seminar on Responsible Gaming that attracted over 150 delegates from Africa, Europe, and North America.
Alhaji Abdul-Salam expressed his gratitude to the WLA team for their visit. He thanked them for acknowledging the NLA’s capabilities and for considering Ghana as a potential host. This partnership marks a significant step toward placing Ghana at the center of the global lottery landscape.
