Laraba MUREY
The Federal Government has said that Africa’s future prosperity lies not in oil or other natural resources but in tourism, culture, and the creative economy.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, made this known on Wednesday while delivering the keynote speech at the 68th Meeting of the UN Tourism Regional Commission for Africa (CAF), held on Wednesday, in Abuja.
Speaking to delegates from across the continent, the Minister said Nigeria is ready to lead the charge in repositioning Africa as a global tourism and cultural powerhouse.
“The 20th century was powered by hydrocarbons; the 21st will be powered by human imagination,” the Minister said.
She stressed that although the global tourism industry is worth around $11 trillion, Africa captures less than 5% of that value, and even less from the creative economy, which adds over $2 trillion to global GDP.
“This is not a talent problem,” she said. “It’s a system and investment gap. And Nigeria invites Africa to close that gap together.”
The Minister highlighted several projects under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, including the newly launched MEFA Arena in Abuja, and a planned Lagos Arena, in partnership with global entertainment firms. She also mentioned a tourism corridor development project from Takwa Bay to Badagry and ongoing efforts to turn public heritage sites into profitable tourist destinations.
According to her, these projects are part of a bigger plan to boost Nigeria’s cultural profile, drive job creation, and promote private-sector investment.
She announced that a new tourism calendar will also help grow demand by branding Nigeria’s cultural seasons. Events such as Naija Season, Capital Vibes, Detty December, and Homecoming East are expected to attract local and foreign visitors, increase flights and hotel bookings, and support small businesses.
The Minister called for regional cooperation to enable free movement, promote storytelling, and invest in African talent.
“Let us rise together. Let us reimagine Africa as a cultural superpower,” she said.
The three-day UN CAF meeting, which runs from June 11 to 13, brings together tourism ministers, development partners, and private sector leaders to discuss Africa’s tourism development.
