President Bola Tinubu has called for collaboration and nationalistic policies by African countries to promote eco friendly tourism in the continent that would atttract more foreign investments and boost its gross domestic product.
Tinubu made the call when he declared open the 68th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) in Abuja.
The Meeting with the theme, “Boosting Social Impact and Education on Tourism through AI, Innovation and Creative Industries” was organised by the Commission and championed by Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa.
Tinubu, who was represented at the event by the Vice President, Sen. Kashim Shettima said the meeting would allow Africa to redefine its global identity to the vibrance of its people, rich cultural heritage and boundaries.
According to him, the UNWTO with membership of 160 states, out of which 50 are from Africa reflects the continent collective ambition and global tourism.
“However, tourism is more than traveling to visit historical sites, waterfalls, mountains and parks. It is an engine of local economies, a catalyst for social understanding and a reach that unites cultures.
“The advent of technology and creativity has transformed tourism and its opportunities. Therefore, it is appropriate that this conference highlights the impact of AI innovation and creative industries on the tourism sector.
“Apart from its economic value, tourism has the potential to enhance local entrepreneurship and community development by supporting small businesses, such as tour operators, local artisans, hospitality providers and service industries.
“Tourism creates new opportunities for entrepreneurship, especially local areas, as Nigeria workflows establishing itself as the top destination for visitors worldwide. We understand the importance of pursuing growth which are within sight of our responsibility to protect the environment and safeguard our rich cultural heritage.
“However, the government cannot build the sector alone. It means a partnership with the private sector. The sector’s growing complexity and opportunities demand this strategic partnership.
“Nigeria supports adopting sustainable practices across Africa which replace the country’s unique challenges by collaborating with regional bodies such as the African Union, FOAs and UN tourism.
“Nigeria encourages other African nation policies in 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 through this regional initiatives.
“I urge you to focus on practical solutions and collaborative strategies that will strengthen intra African travel, whose investment in tourism infrastructure empower local communities and deepen tourism role in achieving sustainable development goals and making African tourism the heart of the global competition,” Tinubu said.
Also speaking, the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, Mr Zurab Pololikashvili commended Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa for her display of emotions on the sector.
Pololikashvili also commended Nigeria, adding that it has everything in the world to be a great nation.
“Nigeria has the population, food, music, culture and nature. Nigeria is closer to the Americas than Europe in terms of connectivity.
“I thank President Bola Tinubu for making this meeting possible. With the Vice President here, it shows that Nigeria is priotising and supporting tourism.
“I believe that the future of Africa is in tourism. There is need to develop it, because, it has so much opportunities and does not have limit; and that is why we are supporting it; fostering investments and education, and please come to our support.
“Seven years ago, we did a lot of things, and let’s continue to be on this trend, because, there are many things we can do together. We are here to work, for friendship, love, peace and ensure that together we can make history and interesting stories about African Tourism.
“I want to thank all Ministers, Deputy Ministers who specially came to this very important meeting, because, united we can do a lot things. If we want to go far, we have to be united,” Pololikashvili said.
He also urged for friendly visa policies to encourage tourism in Africa.
Pololikashvili also appealed to the Minister of Financial and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edu to triple the annual budget of Nigeria’s Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.
Also speaking, the Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, Sen. Ireti Kingibe, said tourism, culture and the creative industries has the potential to create meaningful jobs and promote peace in an increasingly complex world.
According to her, FCT is home to cultural institutions, natural attractions, talents that deserve global recognition and investments.
“FCT also is a mini Nigeria. My vision is to see that Abuja become not just an administrative hub but a beacon for cultural tourism and digital creativity in West Africa.
“Moreover, as chairperson of the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, this conference speaks directly to my lifelong advocates for gender inclusion.
“Women and Girls are central to the creative and tourism economies, whether as artists, entrepreneurs, educators, curators or digital innovators.
“In Nigeria, there is a critical junction where innovation is reshaping tourism and the creative landscapes from Lagos to Kano, Calabar to Abuja, digital platforms are enabling local access to reach global audiences.
“AI is being used to enhance travel experience and Heritage Preservation. And young Nigerians are emerging as cultural entrepreneurs, storytellers and digital trailblazers.
“Tourism can contribute significantly to Nigeria’s GDP, and remains a vital sector for youth employment, cultural diplomacy and economic diversification. Yet the full potential of this sector can only be unlocked through sustained investment in education digital literacy and policies.
” Today’s gathering is an opportunity to amplify the stories of home grown innovators and educators who are transforming tourism from the grassroots to the global stage,” Kingibe said.
In her special address, the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, appreciated President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, Pololikashvili and other dignatories at the event for their unwavering support.
Very passionately, she said that the 21st century demands that economiee are built not just from the ground, but from the soul.
“And here in Nigeria, we are answering that call—with a bold shift from resource dependency to people-powered prosperity through tourism, culture, and the creative industries.
“This year’s theme—“Boosting Social Impact and Education on Tourism through AI, Innovation and Creative Industries” underscores this point, for the future of African prosperity depends on how boldly we harness our culture, creativity and technology to empower people.
“Today, the global tourism industry is worth about $11 trillion, and the creative economy adds more than $2 trillion to global GDP. Yet Africa captures less than 5% of global tourism and less than 1% of global creative exports.
“This is not a deficit of talent or value—but of investment, visibility, and systems. Today, Nigeria invites Africa to close these gaps —together.
“Only Yesterday, we unveiled the 4 000-seat MEFA Arena in Abuja’s Arts and Culture Village; a new stage for concerts, fashion shows and other forms of entertainment.
“In Lagos, we are partnering with Persianas and global giants Oak View Group and Live Nation to develop the Lagos Arena; a venue that will anchor West Africa’s entertainment circuit.
“Along our coastline, a landmark partnership with Koko Beach is transforming the stretch of pristine beaches from Takwa Bay to Badagry into a tourism corridor —melding blue‑economy sustainability with world‑class leisure.
“These are not just buildings, they are beacons of a new vision. They are part of a broader ststrategy that includes the Creative Economy Development Fund, the Creative Leap Acceleration Program [which nurture the next generation of filmmakers, fashion designers and digital innovators who will provide the content that will drive Tourism] and the Nigeria Everywhere brand—our flagship soft power platform now driving a 14-point rise in Nigeria’s global cultural index.
“To coordinate infrastructure, we’ve also established the Creative and Tourism Infrastructure Corporation (CTIco), which is converting public heritage assets into commercial and sustainable tourism destinations through innovative PPP models,” Musawa said.
NewsAuthority Online reports that guests at the event were entertained to musical performance by Jarel Daniels with Unity Song, Mohammed Sanusi with a spoken words performance , All Women Drummer Group and National Troupe with Unity Dance.
Dignatories in attendance include former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edu, Minister of Women Affairs, Hajia Imaam Suleiman-Ibrahim, Minister of State for Finance Dr Doris Uzoka-Anite, and other delegates from Zimbabwe, Kenya, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Gambia, Seychelles, Morocco, Tunisia, Liberia, Tanzania, Burkina Faso, Zambia and Burundi
