By George Ozalla
The Center for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, and the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS), yesterday commenced its Annual International Conference. The two-day event, taking place at Julius Berger Hall, University of Lagos, is being powered by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy (FMACCE).
According to Hon. Aisha Adamu-Augie, Director-General of CBAAC, in her welcome address stated that, “tourism is central to Africa’s transformation, with the industry contributing $168 billion to Africa’s GDP in 2024 and poised to create over 18 million new jobs in the coming decade”.
The conference emphasized the need for inclusive growth and sustainability within the sector, with Adamu-Augie cautioning that “growth without sustainability is not progress.”
The creative industries, including film, music, fashion, and visual arts, are generating significant revenue and have immense potential for growth. Experts shared insights on innovative policies, product development, marketing, and digitalization, highlighting the importance of capacity-building and sustainable solutions.
The conference is expected to provide a veritable platform for stakeholders to collaborate and drive sustainable development in the sector, shaping the future of Africa’s cultural tourism and creative economy. With its potential to create millions of jobs and generate billions of dollars in revenue, cultural tourism is set to play a foundational role in Africa’s economic revival.
