Emirates Airline has pledged strong support for the upcoming Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo (AFTCREE) 2025, a landmark event that will spotlight Africa’s vast potential in tourism, culture, and the creative economy. Scheduled to take place in Abuja, Nigeria, on November 24–25, 2025, the Expo is organized by Afrocultour in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy.
The airline’s participation underlines the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) strategic commitment to strengthening its ties with Africa while promoting economic diversification and international cooperation. By backing this initiative, Emirates is reinforcing its role as a global connector, helping Africa integrate further into international trade, tourism, and cultural exchange networks.
A Strategic Partnership for Growth
Africa’s tourism and creative industries represent some of the continent’s fastest-growing sectors. However, their full potential remains largely untapped. The Expo provides a platform for policy makers, entrepreneurs, cultural leaders, and global investors to explore ways of unlocking these opportunities.
For Emirates, this collaboration extends beyond aviation. The airline brings with it a vast international network, connecting Africa with Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Its involvement is expected to generate increased visitor traffic, foster cross-border partnerships, and create avenues for cultural diplomacy.
The UAE’s presence at this Expo signals a long-term vision: positioning Africa as a major contributor to global tourism revenues and the creative economy by 2030.
Driving Agenda 2030 for Africa
One of the Expo’s central ambitions is the launch of “Agenda 2030”, a roadmap aimed at drastically increasing Africa’s global economic footprint. Current figures show that Africa contributes less than three percent to world trade and just five percent to the $11 trillion global tourism market. Agenda 2030 envisions bold targets:
- Expanding Africa’s share of global trade to 10 percent by 2030.
- Increasing its participation in the tourism market to 20 percent by 2030.
These objectives highlight a continental shift toward prioritizing tourism, culture, and entertainment as engines of service-led economic growth. The Expo is expected to catalyze policy reforms, attract foreign investment, and inspire African governments to allocate larger budgets to tourism and cultural industries.
Collaboration and Peer Learning
A standout feature of the Expo will be the introduction of a peer review mechanism, enabling African countries to evaluate each other’s progress in tourism and creative industry development. This initiative will encourage knowledge sharing, benchmarking, and collaborative problem-solving.
Through these reviews, nations will be able to compare strategies, learn from success stories, and adapt innovative models to their local contexts. This structured collaboration ensures that Africa can present a united front in the global marketplace while respecting the diversity of its cultural landscapes.
Tourism and Culture as Drivers of Prosperity
Africa’s youth population, one of the fastest growing in the world, is central to this vision. By leveraging tourism and cultural industries, governments can generate millions of sustainable jobs, foster innovation, and strengthen national identities.
The Expo will showcase how investments in hospitality, heritage preservation, film, music, fashion, and visual arts can drive both social and economic benefits. For young entrepreneurs and creatives, the event provides exposure to international markets and opportunities to scale their businesses globally.
Moreover, with increasing global demand for authentic cultural experiences, Africa is uniquely positioned to become a top destination for cultural tourism, offering travelers everything from heritage sites and festivals to music and art scenes.
Emirates’ Role in Africa’s Future
As one of the world’s most recognized airlines, Emirates has long been an advocate for global connectivity and economic integration. Its involvement in the Expo highlights its dual role as a facilitator of tourism and as a strategic partner in regional development.
By enhancing direct and connecting flights to African destinations, Emirates provides the vital infrastructure needed for tourism expansion. At the same time, its reputation for quality service and global reach strengthens Africa’s appeal to international travelers.
Through partnerships such as this, Emirates is not only promoting tourism but also enabling creative industries to reach global audiences. This includes supporting initiatives that spotlight African art, music, and cultural heritage on international platforms.
Looking Ahead: A Shared Vision for 2030
The Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo 2025 represents more than just an event—it is a turning point in how Africa approaches its economic future. With Emirates Airline and the UAE as key partners, the Expo promises to provide both inspiration and actionable strategies for growth.
By bringing together leaders from across the globe, the Expo offers Africa an unprecedented opportunity to shape its narrative, strengthen its industries, and establish itself as a powerhouse in tourism and creativity.
The partnership between Emirates and Africa is therefore more than symbolic; it is a clear demonstration of how international collaboration, cultural exchange, and sustainable investment can pave the way for prosperity.
As the world looks toward Abuja in November 2025, the Expo is set to become a defining moment in Africa’s journey toward economic transformation and global recognition.
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