President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged African countries to adopt sustainable, eco-friendly tourism policies that both preserve the continent’s cultural heritage and accelerate long-term prosperity.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 68th meeting of the United Nations Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) in Abuja, Tinubu called for practical solutions and stronger alliances to boost investment in Africa’s tourism infrastructure.
“Nigeria encourages other African nations to adopt policies promoting eco-friendly tourism and preserving cultural heritage,” the President said. “Through collaboration with regional bodies like the African Union, ECOWAS and UN Tourism, we can foster a continent-wide movement that ensures tourism benefits both people and the planet.”
The President stressed the importance of tourism in unlocking Africa’s economic potential, noting that beyond sightseeing, tourism is a “catalyst for social understanding, a driver of local economies, and a bridge that unites cultures.”
The event, themed “Boosting Social Impact and Education in Tourism via Innovation, AI, and Creative Industries in Africa,” brought together tourism ministers, industry stakeholders, and global policymakers to explore Africa’s underutilized potential in global tourism.
Tech, Creativity and Nollywood as Key Drivers
Tinubu highlighted the transformative role of technology and Nigeria’s creative industries — including music, film, fashion, literature, and digital arts — in shaping the continent’s tourism narrative.
“Nigeria’s Nollywood is one of the largest film industries in the world, generating substantial domestic and international revenue,” he said. “Similarly, our music and fashion industries have increased our global cultural influence while creating income and jobs.”
The President emphasized the need for robust public-private partnerships to build on these successes and unlock tourism’s full value. “Government cannot build this sector alone,” he added.
Musawa: Time for Africa to Take the Lead
In her remarks, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, reaffirmed her belief in President Tinubu’s vision for a globally competitive Nigeria, while calling on African nations to harness innovation and artificial intelligence (AI) to close the tourism revenue gap.
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“Africa accounts for less than 5% of global tourism revenue and under 1% of creative exports,” Musawa noted. “This is not a talent issue. Nigeria invites Africa to close that gap.”
She described the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda as the framework guiding Nigeria’s tourism revival and broader economic diversification.
UN Tourism Boss, Lawmakers Call for Easier Travel
UN Tourism Secretary-General, Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvili, lauded Nigeria’s reforms under President Tinubu, describing the country’s growing commitment to tourism as a model for Africa.
He called for visa regime reviews across the continent to enhance connectivity and tourist mobility, noting that “Africa is the next frontier in global tourism.”
Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, urged stakeholders to think boldly, asserting that Africa is not just participating in the digital tourism future — it is shaping it.
“With our creativity, culture, and emerging technologies like AI and immersive media, we can redefine Africa’s tourism narrative from grassroots to the global stage,” she said.
Toward a Sustainable Tourism Future
The Abuja meeting comes as Nigeria continues to push for increased investments in infrastructure, creative industry capacity building, and regional partnerships to position tourism as a pillar of economic growth.
President Tinubu concluded his remarks by calling on participants to deliver “practical strategies” that prioritize community empowerment, especially for women and youth, and transform tourism into a force for sustainable development across Africa.