… Advocates for united efforts to boost investment, preserve heritage, and drive prosperity across Africa
Tinubu Urges African Nations to Embrace Eco-Friendly Tourism for Sustainable Growth
…Calls for united efforts to boost investment, preserve heritage, and drive prosperity across Africa
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has called on African nations to adopt sustainable, eco-friendly tourism policies that preserve cultural heritage and drive economic development across the continent.
Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the 68th UN Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) meeting in Abuja, Tinubu emphasized the importance of regional collaboration to transform Africa into a global leader in sustainable tourism.
He urged countries to align with bodies such as the African Union, ECOWAS, and UN Tourism to share best practices, develop infrastructure, and support intra-African travel.
“Tourism is more than visiting landmarks,” Tinubu stated. “It is an engine of economic growth, a bridge between cultures, and a catalyst for sustainable development.”
He highlighted how technological innovation and creativity—particularly in fields like artificial intelligence (AI) and the creative industries—are reshaping the tourism landscape. He also pointed to Nigeria’s own cultural exports, including Nollywood, music, and fashion, as powerful contributors to GDP, job creation, and international influence.
President Tinubu called for stronger public-private partnerships to maximize tourism’s impact, noting that government alone cannot unlock the sector’s full potential.
Opening the regional meeting, Tinubu urged delegates to focus on actionable solutions that strengthen intra-African travel, empower communities, and position Africa at the center of global tourism discourse.
Earlier in her welcome address,
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, echoed the President’s vision.
She urged African nations to leverage innovation, AI, and the creative economy to unlock tourism’s vast potential.
“Africa must build people-powered economies through tourism and culture,” Musawa said, citing Tinubu’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” as a roadmap for national transformation. Noting that Africa captures less than 5% of global tourism revenue and under 1% of creative exports, she called for a united push to close that gap.
Also in his welcome address, the UN Tourism Secretary-General Zurab Pololikashvili lauded Nigeria’s commitment to revitalizing its tourism sector, noting that Africa’s untapped potential makes it the next frontier in global tourism.
He encouraged African leaders to ease travel restrictions by reviewing visa policies to enhance regional mobility.
In her remarks, Senator Ireti Kingibe, representing the FCT, urged stakeholders to embrace innovation and Africa’s leadership role in shaping the digital future of tourism. She stressed the importance of highlighting local innovations and ensuring that women and youth remain central to tourism development strategies.
“This is our moment to redefine how Africa is seen, experienced, and valued globally,” she concluded.
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