Nigeria has welcomed delegates from 51 African nations this week, playing host to the 68th United Nations Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF) 2025. The high-level gathering in Abuja has put the spotlight squarely on a powerful vision for the continent: building tourism through the lens of human impact, education, new ideas, and the vibrant creative industries.
The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, set a clear tone in her opening remarks. She emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is firmly focused on changing sectors by putting people at the very center of economic growth. “The 21st century calls for us to build our economies not just from the ground up, but on the strength of our people,” Minister Musawa stated. “This means leaning into tourism, our culture, the creative economy, and the arts. Africa, truly, is standing at the edge of a new era of change.”
The Minister stressed that the meeting’s theme perfectly captures Africa’s urgent need to embrace technology as a tool for empowerment, especially through learning and fresh thinking. She spoke passionately about Nigeria’s appeal. “The world is increasingly looking to Nigeria, not for its oil, but for its people – our gifts, our stories, and the rich tapestry of our culture,” she added. “It falls to us to tell our own tales; no one else can truly define us better.”
Adding to the call for progressive strategies, Senator Ireti Heebah Kingibe, who represents the Federal Capital Territory and chairs the Senate Committee on Women Affairs, urged stakeholders to think boldly. “Africa isn’t merely taking part in tourism’s digital future; we are actively shaping it,” she declared. Senator Kingibe linked the conference directly to her long-standing advocacy for including women, noting their central role in tourism and creative sectors as artists, business owners, teachers, and digital innovators. She underscored the need for deliberate support through education, funding, and platforms that give women a stronger voice.
Ambassador Zurab Pololikashvili, the Secretary-General of UN Tourism, commended Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to transform its tourism industry under the current administration, suggesting that these changes could spread positively across the continent. He also urged African leaders to reconsider current visa rules to make it easier for tourists to move within and beyond Africa.
Delivering President Tinubu’s address, Vice President Senator Ibrahim Shettima highlighted the vital role of different governments working together to build lasting tourism across Africa. “Nigeria encourages African nations to adopt policies that support eco-friendly tourism and protect our shared cultural treasures,” he affirmed. This collaborative spirit, he explained, should include joint marketing efforts, skill development, better infrastructure, and sharing best practices. Such coordinated regional work with partners like the African Union, ECOWAS, and UN Tourism, he noted, could create a continent-wide movement leading to lasting prosperity for all of Africa’s people.
The CAF 2025 event truly marks a pivotal moment in shaping Africa’s tourism landscape, underscoring the crucial roles of innovation, distinct cultural identity, and development that includes everyone.
Signed
Chindaya Ahmadu Director, Information and Public Relations June 17, 2025.