Africa Tourism News Features Tourism News Wakanow, Akwaaba African Travel Market Partner to Advance African Tourism Familugba VictorSeptember 8, 20250739 views Wakanow, a leading travel technology company in Africa, is partnering with the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market, a major travel exhibition in West Africa. The event, scheduled for September 14-16, 2025, in Lagos, is expected to draw over 3,000 participants from across the continent, including airlines, tourism boards, hoteliers, and various travel companies. According to Thisday, the collaboration highlights Wakanow’s ongoing dedication to improving travel experiences and fostering the growth of Africa’s tourism sector. Since its establishment in 2008, Wakanow has been a pioneer in delivering innovative travel solutions. The company was recently recognised as the “Travel Company of the Year in West Africa” at the Accra Weizo event in Ghana. As a Carlyle Group portfolio company, Wakanow has secured significant investments from global and African partners, enabling it to expand its operations to several countries, including Ghana, the UAE, Kenya, South Africa, the USA, and Canada. READ MORE NIHOTOUR, NANTA Partner to Mandate Professional Training for All Nigerian Travel Agents Lagos State Unveils “101 Days in Lagos” to Become Africa’s Tourism Hub South African Tourism Board Appoints Interim Leadership to Ensure Sector’s Stability Wakanow continues to innovate with its range of services, including flight bookings, hotel reservations, visa assistance, and tour packages. The company has also introduced groundbreaking initiatives such as WakaPoints, a loyalty program; PaySmallSmall, a travel financing solution; and WakaEvents, an event ticketing platform. A Wakanow management representative expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, highlighting Akwaaba as an ideal platform to showcase Africa’s tourism potential, foster industry connections, and promote travel and trade within the continent. The 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market will feature exhibitions, panel discussions, B2B meetings, and networking sessions designed to shape the future of travel and tourism in West Africa. Tourism exhibitions, such as Akwaaba, are vital for face-to-face networking and forging new business relationships. However, a physical presence alone has limitations. By partnering with Akwaaba, Wakanow extends the event’s reach from a three-day exhibition in Lagos to a continuous, digital-first experience. Wakanow’s platforms, such as its flight booking engine, hotel reservation system, and travel advisory services, become the digital ‘exhibition hall’ where the connections made at the event can be nurtured and translated into actual bookings and revenue. For other travel tech companies, this means using a trade show not just to collect business cards, but to onboard new partners and market services to a broader, pre-qualified audience. The partnership fosters a symbiotic relationship between a technology firm and a traditional event organiser. Akwaaba has a modern, tech-savvy partner that can help it attract a new generation of travellers and exhibitors. Wakanow, in turn, gains access to a vast network of industry stakeholders, from tourism ministers to hotel managers, that it would otherwise take years to build. The Wakanow-Akwaaba partnership is a masterclass in strategic collaboration. It showcases how travel technology is not just an add-on but an essential accelerator for African tourism. By integrating innovative digital solutions with physical industry platforms, other African travel tech companies can collectively dismantle barriers, create new opportunities, and ultimately lead the charge in making Africa a more connected, accessible, and prosperous tourist destination. Showcase Nigeria Through Your Lens – Join Our Open Call for Creators Are you a photographer, videographer, or content creator passionate about capturing Nigeria’s beauty, from fashion runways and cultural festivals to tourist landmarks and local events? Our Open Call for Content Creators in Nigeria is your opportunity to get featured, collaborate, and bring authentic Nigerian stories to life. Whether you’re into travel, lifestyle, or visual storytelling, we want to see Nigeria through your eyes. Stay updated with the latest tourism news in Nigeria and beyond, featuring cultural festivals, travel updates, destination highlights, and insights that shape Africa’s growing tourism industry. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) and Answers What is the partnership between Wakanow and Akwaaba African Travel Market? Wakanow, a leading travel technology company, is partnering with the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market, the largest travel exhibition in West Africa, to promote tourism and travel within the continent. What is Akwaaba African Travel Market? Akwaaba African Travel Market is a premier travel exhibition held annually in Lagos, Nigeria. It brings together over 3,000 industry professionals, including tourism boards, airlines, and travel companies, to network and explore business opportunities. When and where will the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market take place? The event is scheduled to take place from September 14 to 16, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria. Why is this partnership important? This partnership is significant because it brings together a key player in African travel technology (Wakanow) and a considerable industry exhibition (Akwaaba), with the shared goal of boosting intra-African travel and advancing the continent’s tourism sector. What are some of the innovative solutions offered by Wakanow? Wakanow offers a range of innovative services, including PaySmallSmall (a travel financing solution), WakaPoints (a loyalty program), and WakaEvents (an event ticketing platform), in addition to its core services, such as flight bookings and hotel reservations.