Nigeria to host 68th UN Tourism Commission for Africa meeting in 2025
The Federal Government of Nigeria has confirmed its readiness to host the 68th meeting of the United Nations Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF), scheduled to take place in Abuja from June 11 to 13, 2025.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, gave the assurance during a courtesy visit by a two-member UN Tourism delegation in Abuja. She described the upcoming event as a strategic opportunity to promote sustainable tourism and deepen collaboration across the continent.
Musawa highlighted Nigeria’s plans to showcase its rich cultural heritage while underlining tourism’s potential to drive economic diversification. “We are excited to host this important event and look forward to working with UN Tourism and other stakeholders to make it a success,” she said.
She further emphasized the sector’s economic value, pointing out that tourism stimulates other industries such as construction, agriculture, and retail, creating jobs and boosting national revenue. Musawa reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to partnering with UN Tourism to promote responsible tourism and sustainable development across Africa.
Leader of the UN Tourism team, Elicia Grandcourt, expressed confidence in Nigeria’s ability to deliver a successful event, citing the country’s previous hosting experience. She noted that the 2025 meeting would not only bring ministers from across Africa but also focus on empowering youth through innovation and artificial intelligence.
“It’s not just about the meeting, but also about what Nigeria can gain from it,” Grandcourt said. “We plan to host a technical workshop on innovation and AI to equip local participants with tools to grow the tourism sector.”
Director of International Tourism Relations and Cooperation, Dorothy Duruaku, welcomed the UN delegation and assured them of Nigeria’s preparedness. She noted that the organizing committee had already begun facility inspections to ensure a smooth and successful event.
CAF 2025, themed “Boosting the Social Impact and Education in Tourism through Innovation, AI, and the Creative Industries,” is expected to attract stakeholders from across the continent and promote cultural exchange and sustainable tourism development in Africa.
