Lagos: The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) has projected that Africa’s tourism sector will create over 80 million new jobs in the next ten years. The Director-General of CBAAC, Mrs. Aisha Augie, shared this forecast during a two-day international conference organized by the centre in Lagos.

According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was held in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts, University of Lagos, and the Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS). The conference, under the theme ‘Cultural Tourism, Creative Economy and Sustainable Development in Africa’, highlighted the significant role of tourism in the continent’s economic transformation.

Mrs. Augie noted the importance of tourism as a pillar for economic revival in Africa. Citing the World Travel and Tourism Council, she stated that tourism contributed $168 billion to Africa’s GDP in 2024 and is poised to create over 80 million new jobs in the coming decade. These figures, she emphasized, represent livelihoods, opportunities, and hope for millions of Africans.

The Director-General highlighted various cultural festivals, such as the Ojude Oba, Osun-Osogbo, Calabar Carnival, and durbars, to illustrate that tourism is not merely about travel but an immersive cultural experience. Tourists, she pointed out, are not just visitors but active participants, consumers, and investors in Africa’s rich cultural tapestry.

Mrs. Augie also shared projections indicating that tourism revenue is expected to reach $25.1 billion by 2025. She stressed that every visitor who engages with local festivals or purchases traditional art and performances is directly investing in Africa’s creative economy. The flourishing creative industries, including film, music, fashion, visual arts, storytelling, and design, currently generate over $4.2 billion annually and have the potential to reach $20 billion annually.

However, she cautioned that despite this growth, sustainability remains low, warning that growth without sustainability is merely a fleeting impulse rather than genuine progress. Mrs. Augie encouraged participants to commit to actions that uplift Africa’s traditions, honor heritage, empower youths, and protect the planet.