The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed the participation of Emirates Airlines in the upcoming Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo (AFTCREE), scheduled to hold in Abuja between
November 24 and 25, 2025.
Afrocultour is organising the Expo with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy.
Following the recent endorsement of the Expo by the Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Emirates Airlines’ participation underscores the UAE’s commitment to strengthening ties with Nigeria and the African continent, particularly in the areas of tourism, trade, and creative enterprise.
As one of the world’s leading carriers, Emirates’ involvement in the Expo reflects its dedication to promoting connectivity, innovation, and economic growth.
In a confirmation letter sent to Chuks Akamadu, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afrocultour in Abuja on Tuesday, the Embassy extended its warm regards and appreciation for the invitation.
It is hoped that the Expo will present a unique opportunity for the UAE to reaffirm its continued partnership with Nigeria and the entire African continent in advancing initiatives that drive sustainable development and mutual prosperity.
The upcoming expo aims, among other things, to urge African countries to commit to significantly increasing their tourism and creative economy annual budgetary allocations and inaugurate “Agenda 2030,” which would aspire to improve Africa’s contribution to global trade from less than 3% to at least 10 % and increase the continent’s 5% share of the $11 trillion global tourism revenue to at least 20% by the year 2030.
The organisers believe this can be achieved by mainstreaming tourism, the cultural industry, and entertainment into the service sector and instituting a peer review mechanism for African countries to compare notes bilaterally and multilaterally on emerging tourism and creative industry trends within the precincts of mutual profit.
