…Sec gen commends organisers
….Minister markets destinations to visitors
For three days, June 11-13, 2025, residents of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and the country at large, felt the presence of visitors across the continent and the world, who came for the 68th meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF).
From the immigration, airports, car hire services, hotels, restaurants, craft centres and to many others, the visitors saw the country beyond Abuja and crude oil.
They comprised Ministers of Tourism from across Africa, diplomats, tourism agencies and organisations on the continent, UN Tourism affiliate agencies, among others.
The new conference centre at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, was also very befitting for the event.
Moreover, the presence of President Bola Tinubu, who flagged off of the meeting, spoke volumes on the priority his government places on tourism development.
The Nigerian president, who was represented by Kashim Shettima, his vice, called on African countries to adopt policies that promote eco-friendly tourism and preservation of cultural heritage.
He urged all stakeholders to seek solutions and form alliances that would boost investment in tourism infrastructure, deepen the sector’s role in actualising the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on the continent.
“By collaborating with regional bodies, such as the African Union, ECOWAS and UN Tourism, Nigeria encourages other African nations to adopt policies promoting eco-friendly tourism and preserving cultural heritage.
“This collaboration includes sharing best practices, tourism training, developing joint marketing campaigns for sustainable tourism and improving infrastructure to support intra-African travel,” President Tinubu said.
Also speaking at the opening, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, noted that it is time to leverage innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), and creative industries to unlock Africa’s rich and diverse tourism potential for global patronage.
The minister, who is passionate about Nigeria and the mission and commitment of President Tinubu, said, “I believe in it because of his vision for Nigeria, which I believe will enable the country to take a seat in the comity of global nations as a developed nation,” the minister said.
Reflecting on the 68th CAF theme; “Boosting Social Impact and Education in Tourism via Innovation, AI, and Creative Industries in Africa,” Musawa disclosed that the future of Africa’s prosperity depends on how it deploys technology to enhance productivity, business and also empower people.
The theme, according to her, is timely considering the fact that while the global industry is valued at over $11 trillion, Africa accounts for less than 5% of global tourism revenue and under 1% of global creative exports.
“This is not a deficit or talent scarcity. Today, Nigeria invites Africa to close that gap,” she boldly said.
Amid the excitement, Zurab Pololikashvi, secretary general of UN Tourism, who has visited the country severally since assuming office in 2018, spoke passionately about the greatness of the country and the potential, which he expressed satisfaction that are being unlocked under the present administration with investments in infrastructure and tourism.
“For me, this return to Abuja is deeply symbolic. My first official mission as Secretary-General in 2018 was to this very city,” the Slsecretary general said.
“I remember it very fondly. We forged new bonds of solidarity and resolved to place tourism at the heart of Africa’s development.
According to him, the theme of the Thematic Conference reflects where Africa’s future must head to
“Tourism flourishes when it celebrates innovation and creativity. Africa’s music, film, fashion and culinary scenes captivate global audiences and travellers.
“Let us scale up programmes that link young designers, musicians and filmmakers with tourism boards and investors, turning talent into prosperity and pride.
“Africa is also home to the world’s youngest population. Giving that youth the skills to innovate, manage and lead is our greatest competitive edge.
“When learning is lifelong and inclusive, tourism becomes a ladder out of poverty and a platform for leadership in technology, conservation and culture alike,” he added.
Pololikashvili also noted that the road from Abuja 2018 to here and now has proved that when Africa speaks with one voice, the world listens.
“To President Bola Tinubu, the Government of Nigeria and all partners who have made this gathering possible, I offer our heartfelt thanks for hosting us. To every delegate, your commitment and ideas are the lifeblood of African tourism.
The journey continues, and Africa leads the way,” he concluded.
The meeting also featured high-level panel discussions, especially the one on Artificial Intelligence in tourism, where the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, joined other African experts such as Ikechi Uko, organiser of Akwaaba African Travel Market; Director General of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Abdul Kamara; Seychelles Minister for Foreign Affairs and Tourism, Sylvestre Radegonde and Carlos Díez de la Lastra – CEO of Les Roches Global Hospitality Education, Spain, to tackle the issue. Speaking at the panel, which was moderated by Elcia Grancourt, Regional Director for Africa at UN Tourism, Ikechi Uko shared insights on how the tourism industry can leverage AI, particularly in promotion, idea generation, and lead development.
He also highlighted the dangers of over-reliance on technology, referencing several failed tourism technology projects across Africa, as well as personal experiences from organising Akwaaba African Travel Market over the years.
The delegates also had opportunity to tour some specific attractions in Abuja including galleries and tourism outfits.
Expressing her excitement over the successful event hosted by the Nigerian government, through the Ministry of Culture, Art, Tourism and Creative and the UN Tourism, Elcia Grandcourt, UN Tourism Regional Director for Africa, said that her team and the delegates had very interesting and successful meeting in the two days the meeting lasted.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank our host, the Federal Government of Nigeria, especially, Hanatu Musa Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy of Nigeria,” she said.
“She has wonderfully hosted us and chaired beautifully this meeting that has brought about ministers of tourism from the Africa region.
“Over these two days, we discussed matters related to the programme of work of Africa, but more so , looking at how we are integrating artificial intelligence and digital transformation within the tourism sector.
“As you know, Nigeria is a hub, a hotspot for creativity; we also used these two days to host a technical workshop that has further built up the capacity of young leaders in Nigeria’s tourism sector”.
Barbra Kaila, a Kenya delegate, noted that her first time in Abuja has changed her perspective of Nigeria and her people.
“Great country and good people. I can see why Nigeria is giant of Africa. Up Naija,” Barbra said.
Rodney Sikumba, Minister of Tourism and Wildlife, Republic of Zambia, was not surprised at what he saw and how successful the event went.
“The event surpassed my expectations, from venue, programming, food, to the tours,” Hakeem Junel, a Gambian delegate said.
In all, Lai Mohammed, Advisor to the UN Tourism, was excited to be part of the story of the feats of the tourism industry. Mohammed, a former Minister of Information and Culture, developed interest in tourism and reached out to African and international alliances like the UN Tourism. The 68th CAF meeting is one of results, as the United Nations special agency rode on the successful hosting of its events in Nigeria in the recent past to pull off yet another one.
Well, the event is history as the current UN Tourism secretary general started his African journey in Nigeria and is also ending it with the 68th CAF meeting.
Again, Musawa stayed true to her promise of using the platform to market Nigerian tourism potential to Africa and the world.
But as the event ended on a very good note, tourism voice should not cease as the sector looks to Musawa to continue in her might.
