By Priscilla Osaje

An expert in the tourism sector says that tourism is a frontier capable of lifting Africa from dependency on shared prosperity.

Chuks Akamadu, Managing Director of Afrocultour Limited, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Abuja.

According to him, we need to stop seeing tourism as just leisure, but a serious economic frontier capable of lifting Africa from the drain of dependency to shared prosperity.

Akamadu said that most African countries failed to appreciate tourism as a viable tool for economic diversification and growth.

“It is regrettable that in spite of Africa’s rich natural and cultural heritage, the continent contributes less than 3 per cent to global trade.

“That is the reason why we have put in place plans to organise ‘The Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo (AFTCREE) 2025’ to showcase the rich heritage and resources in Africa.

“The expo aims to complement public sector initiatives and push for the mainstreaming of culture and tourism into African economies,” Akamadu said.

Akamadu explained that the expo would be hosted in Nigeria by Africultour Limited with the support from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.

“It is expected to attract policymakers, investors, cultural stakeholders, and creative professionals from across the continent and beyond.

“It will launch “Agenda 2030,” which aspires to increase Africa’s share of global trade to 10 per cent by the year 2030, and global tourism revenue to 20 per cent up from the current five per cent,” he said.

Akamadu, a property lawyer and author of Harnessing Culture for Economic Growth, explained that the event would also advocate for higher budgetary allocations to the tourism and creative sectors.

He said that the expo would encourage peer review among African nations and highlight investment opportunities to attract local and foreign capital.

Akamadu cited Africa’s rich but underutilised tourist sites from Nigeria’s Osun Sacred Grove to Egypt’s Pyramids of Giza and Kenya’s Masai Mara as sleeping economic giants.

“It is painful that a continent so blessed remains the poorest on the planet,” he said.

The expert, who stated that the 1988 National Cultural Policy was outdated, called for its review, as well as a review of the 2005 Tourism Development Master Plan.

He expressed optimism that change may be underway with the Federal Government’s ongoing review of the cultural policy under Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy.

Akamadu urged Nigeria and other African countries to take a cue from global leaders like the UAE, Mauritius, and South Africa, and invest in culture and tourism.

He said the country should adopt policy consistency to unlock tourism’s potential as a major foreign exchange earner.

“If anything is more local than politics, it is tourism. The local economy benefits the most from tour guides to street vendors.

“We cannot keep living amid abundance yet continue to be hungry. AFTCREE 2025 is about reclaiming our wealth, culturally and economically,” he added. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by Joseph Edeh