FG inaugurates committee for Africa tourism, creative economy expo

Nigeria Sets Stage for Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo

In a strategic move to bolster Africa’s cultural and economic footprint, the Federal Government of Nigeria has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the upcoming Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo, scheduled to take place from November 24 to 25, 2025.

The announcement was made in Abuja by Mukhtar Muhammad, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy.

The expo, themed “Optimising Africa’s Comparative and Competitive Advantage for Accelerated Trade and Economic Growth,” is envisioned as a continental platform to galvanize stakeholders across the tourism and creative sectors. It aims to foster dialogue among policymakers, investors, innovators, and creators, with the ultimate goal of transforming Africa’s rich cultural assets into engines of trade and development.

Mr. Muhammad emphasized that the initiative marks a pivotal step in positioning Africa’s creative and tourism industries as catalysts for regional integration and global competitiveness. He called on the LOC to deliver a world-class event that reflects the continent’s heritage and creative dynamism, underscoring the importance of collaboration, transparency, and professionalism throughout the planning process. He also assured the committee of the ministry’s unwavering support, noting that the event is being organized in partnership with Afrocultour Nigeria Ltd.

Denja Abdullahi, chairman of the LOC, pledged the committee’s commitment to delivering a high-impact expo. He revealed that the event will unveil “Agenda 2030,” a visionary framework designed to elevate Africa’s contribution to global trade from its current two percent to ten percent by the end of the decade. This ambitious target will be pursued through strategic investments in tourism and the creative economy.

Mr. Abdullahi commended the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, for her leadership and innovative reforms within the sector. He noted that the LOC has already begun engaging key stakeholders across Africa, including government agencies and private sector players, to ensure robust participation.

The expo promises a vibrant array of activities, including exhibitions, trade fairs, investment workshops, cultural showcases, B2B meetings, and a peer review mechanism for African nations.

These events are designed not only to celebrate Africa’s creative prowess but also to strengthen intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework.

As preparations intensify, the LOC remains focused on delivering a measurable, scalable, and impactful event that will spotlight Africa’s cultural wealth and economic potential on the global stage.