LAGOS, February 19, 2025 — Nigeria’s leading travel technology company, Wakanow, has recorded a major milestone by becoming the first online travel agency (OTA) in Nigeria to secure direct New Distribution Capability (NDC) integrations with both British Airways and Emirates Airlines.
The development is expected to significantly enhance travel booking experiences across the company’s platforms, giving customers access to dynamic pricing, exclusive deals, and a wider range of travel services.
The company said the integration, which is already live on its Nigeria, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates storefronts, will provide users with real-time flight inventory, seamless ticketing, and greater flexibility when booking international flights, especially across popular routes like Lagos to London or Accra to Dubai.
According to a statement made available to the press, the new technology allows Wakanow to plug directly into the airline reservation systems of British Airways and Emirates. This positions the company to offer richer content, faster processing, and a more personalized booking experience.
Speaking on the development, the Chief Executive Officer of Wakanow Nigeria, Adenike Macaulay, said the achievement marked a defining moment for the company and the travel industry in the country.
“Being the first OTA in Nigeria to integrate directly with both British Airways and Emirates through NDC is a game-changer—not just for us, but for the travel industry at large,” Macaulay said.
“It underscores our leadership in travel tech and our commitment to offering Nigerian and African travellers the best global options with unmatched ease, speed and transparency.”
Wakanow explained that NDC integration opens up access to a broad suite of ancillary services including seat selection, cabin upgrades, baggage options, and bundled offers—benefits often unavailable on third-party booking platforms.
The company added that the move follows several months of coordination with both airlines and internal capacity building to ensure technical readiness and post-booking support across its customer service teams.
The Chief Technology Officer of Wakanow, Oyedeji Ojo, noted that the successful rollout reflects the company’s strong technological backbone and future-facing approach to travel retailing in Africa.
“With these direct airline connections via NDC, we have created a new layer of automation and intelligence in our booking processes,” Ojo said. “We’re not just offering flight tickets—we’re designing smarter, more intuitive travel experiences that meet the evolving expectations of today’s digital traveller.”
“It also means better control over pricing, faster fulfilment, and better integration of post-sales services like refunds and changes,” he added.
Macaulay further stated that the company’s innovation drive aligns with its long-term strategy of redefining travel convenience across the continent.
“We are excited about what this means for our customers. Travel is changing globally, and Wakanow is committed to ensuring that Nigerian travellers are not left behind,” she said.
In another development, Wakanow was recently honoured with the prestigious Agency of the Year, Platinum Category 2024 award at the First Joint Venture Awards hosted by Air France, KLM, and Delta Airlines in March. The recognition highlights the company’s outstanding contributions to sales growth, customer service excellence, and innovative retailing strategies within the global aviation space.
The award further cements Wakanow’s leadership position in Nigeria’s travel sector and its rising influence across African and international travel markets.
As Wakanow continues to expand its technology footprint and strengthen global partnerships, it said it remains committed to delivering exceptional value and transformative travel experiences to its customers.
