L-R: Olusegun Runsewe (former director-general, NTDC); Olusegun Obasanjo (former president of Nigeria); Dawda Jawara (late former president of The Gambia); Danny Jordaan (former president of the South African Football Association); Ikechi Uko (organiser, Akwaaba African Travel Market); Obioma Liyel-Imoke (former First Lady of Cross River state), at the 2010 edition
Sade Williams/Business a.m.
The 2025 edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market (AATM) will be held in Lagos from September 14 to 16, the organisers of the event have announced.
The AATM is the biggest travel and tourism fair in West Africa and it is running its 21st edition this year.
Travel and tourism industry stakeholders from across Africa and beyond will once again gather in Lagos, Nigeria for the travel market. The three-day event is set to bring together over 20 countries, organisers said.
Lauded for its consistency in bringing African travel professionals together over the years, Akwaaba African Travel Market has evolved into a pivotal platform that facilitates connections, fosters collaborations, and showcases the diverse offerings of the African travel industry.
The upcoming 21st edition is set to be a memorable experience as it is set to bring together the 11th Wonders of Nigeria Expo, the 5th Aviation and Cargo Conference, CHINET, the 4th African Medical Tourism Expo, the 9th edition of African Youth Tourism Bantaba, the 7th Jollof Rice War and the African Tourism Conference under one roof.
Following the success of the 20th edition in 2024, the event stands as a testament to its enduring commitment to promoting travel, aviation, hospitality, and tourism in Africa, organisers said in a statement.
According to the organisers, attendees can expect a dynamic showcase of destinations, travel and aviation products, and tourism initiatives that reflect the richness and diversity of the African continent.
The event has successfully held various initiatives such as the Africa Travel 100 Awards, African Medical Tourism editions, African Youth Tourism Bantaba and Destination Wedding, earning recognition with an Award of Excellence in Tourism from the Nigerian government and UNWTO at the Global Tourism Summit in 2022.
Over the years, Akwaaba has hosted some prominent African leaders, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria; former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former President of the Republic of The Gambia, Sir Dauda Jawara; later former Vice President Alex Ekwueme; former Commonwealth Secretary, Emeka Anyaoku; former Nigeria minister of tourism Frank Nchita Ogbuewu; Bianca Ojukwu; former deputy tourism minister of Zimbabwe, Ananstasia Ndhlovu; tourism minister of Sierra Leone, Memunatu Pratt amongst many others.
