Tinubu urges eco-friendly tourism policies at UN Africa tourism summit

By Kunle Sanni

President Bola Tinubu has called on African countries to adopt policies that promote eco-friendly tourism and preserve the continent’s rich cultural heritage as a path to long-term prosperity and sustainable development.

Speaking through Vice President Kashim Shettima at the opening of the 68th meeting of the United Nations Tourism Commission for Africa (CAF) held in Abuja on Wednesday, Tinubu emphasized the need for practical, collaborative strategies to boost tourism infrastructure, enhance intra-African travel, and accelerate progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

“By collaborating with regional bodies like the African Union, ECOWAS, and UN Tourism, we encourage other African nations to adopt eco-friendly tourism practices and preserve cultural heritage,” the President said. He added that such collaboration should include sharing best practices, improving infrastructure, training tourism professionals, and developing joint marketing campaigns focused on sustainability.

Tinubu stressed that tourism is more than sightseeing — it is a catalyst for economic growth, social integration, and cultural unity. He highlighted the transformative role of technology and creative industries such as music, film, fashion, literature, and digital arts in shaping Nigeria’s global tourism presence.

“Nigeria’s Nollywood is one of the largest film industries globally, while our music and fashion sectors have propelled our cultural influence and created jobs,” he said. He also acknowledged the growing complexity of the tourism sector, urging the need for robust public-private partnerships to drive its growth and modernization.

Declaring the regional meeting open, Tinubu called on delegates to focus on actionable policies that empower local communities, boost tourism investments, and position Africa at the center of global tourism conversations.

In her remarks, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, emphasized the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence (AI), innovation, and the creative economy to unlock Africa’s tourism potential.

The 68th UN Tourism CAF meeting brings together tourism ministers, industry stakeholders, and development partners from across Africa to explore strategies for sustainable tourism growth on the continent.