WTO Endorses Africa Tourism Creative Economy Expo

World Trade Organisation (WTO) has declared support for the upcoming Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo (AFTCEE), scheduled for November 2025 in Abuja.

The WTO director general, DG Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, gave this indication and urged African nations to leverage the opportunity provided by the upcoming event to harness their cultural and creative assets for accelerated trade and economic growth.

“The theme of this Expo, ‘Optimising Africa’s Comparative and Competitive Advantage for Accelerated Trade and Economic Growth’, is timely and highly relevant,” Okonj-Iweala said.

She added, “Africa is immensely endowed with cultural and touristic opportunities. Now is the time to leverage these advantages to integrate more deeply into global and regional supply chains. At the WTO, we believe the future of trade lies in services, and tourism and the creative economy have a central role to play.”

The WTO boss appreciated the invitation to speak at the event despite her prior commitments at the G20 Leaders’ Summit.

In a letter she signed and sent to the CEO of Afrocultour, Chuks Akamadu, the organisers of the event on Sunday in Abuja, the former Nigerian finance minister wished them a successful and impactful event, saying she “looks forward to engaging in the future.”

The Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo is expected to draw stakeholders from across the continent and beyond to boost trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.