The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has confirmed its support for the upcoming Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo (AFTCREE), scheduled to take place in Abuja from November 24–25, 2025, with Emirates Airline set to play a key role in the event.

The announcement reflects the UAE’s commitment to strengthening its partnership with Nigeria and the wider African continent, especially in tourism, trade, and creative industries.

Organised by Afrocultour in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, the expo has also received endorsement from the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.

In a letter to Afrocultour’s CEO, Mr. Chuks Akamadu, the UAE Embassy expressed appreciation for the invitation, noting that Emirates’ participation highlights its dedication to promoting connectivity, innovation, and economic growth.

Driving Africa’s Creative & Tourism Growth

The Abuja expo will focus on encouraging African nations to boost budgetary allocations for tourism and creative sectors while unveiling “Agenda 2030.”

Agenda 2030 sets ambitious goals for Africa, including:

Raising the continent’s share of global trade from under 3% to 10%.

Growing Africa’s stake in the $11 trillion global tourism market from 5% to at least 20% by 2030.

Organisers believe this vision can be achieved by mainstreaming tourism, culture, and entertainment into the services sector and establishing a peer review system that allows African nations to share strategies and innovations.