By Joan Odafe

The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has projected that Africa’s tourism sector will create over 80 million new jobs in the next ten years.

The Director-General of CBAAC, Mrs Aisha Augie, gave the projection during a two-day international conference organised by the centre on Tuesday in Lagos.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event is in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, and the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS).

The theme of the event is ‘Cultural Tourism, Creative Economy and Sustainable Development in Africa’.

Augie, while describing tourism as a pillar for economic revival, said the industry was central to the transformation of the continent.

Citing the World Travel and Tourism Council, Augie said: “Tourism contributed $168 billion to Africa’s GDP in 2024 and poised to create over 80 million new jobs in the coming decade.

“They are not just statistics, they represent livelihoods, opportunities and hope for the millions of Africans.”

Highlighting festivals including the Ojude Oba, Osun-Osogbo, Calabar Carnival and durbars, Augie said tourism was more than a journey but an experience of culture.

She noted that tourists were not just visitors but participants, consumers and investors.

Emphasising the potential, she said current projections showed that tourism revenue would reach $25.1 billion in 2025.

“Every visitor who attends a local festival, buys a hand-packed event ticket or watches a traditional performance, is directly investing in Africa’s creative product.

“This connection between tourism and creativity forms a system that powers communities, supports artisans and tells our stories of the global stage.

“Across the continent, our creative industries, film, music, fashion, visual arts, storytelling, design, are thriving.

“They are currently generating over $4.2 billion dollars annually and have the potential to create up to $20 billion annually,” she said.

Augie said there was a need for the creative sector to be positioned to benefit equitably from this growth.

She, however, said that in spite of the growth, sustainability was low.

She added that growth without sustainability was not progress but a short-lived impulse.

The director-general urged participants at the event to commit actions that uplift Africa’s traditions, honour heritage, empower youths and protect the planet. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Folasade Adeniran