Akwaaba African Travel Market, recognised as West Africa’s only international travel and tourism exhibition, has continued to play a pivotal role in promoting intra-African travel, trade and cultural exchange.

For the 21st edition of the Akwaaba African Travel Market set to hold from September 14 to 16, 2025, at Eko Hotel and Suites, the organisers have announced Lagos State government, Air Peace, Gambia, Wakanow and Interswitch as key partners for this year’s event.

According to the organisers of the event, “Akwaaba continues to be the melting pot of Africa’s tourism, aviation, and hospitality industries. With strong partnerships from leading players such as Air Peace, Lagos State, Gambia, Wakanow and Interswitch, this edition will once again showcase Africa’s potential as the world’s next tourism frontier.”

The 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market is poised to further cement Lagos as Africa’s leading tourism and business hub while also boosting opportunities for airlines, hospitality providers, and local entrepreneurs in the sector.

This edition, according to the organisers, will be historic, as it will host the highest collection of airlines at any travel expo in Africa, reinforcing its position as a hub for aviation connectivity and partnerships on the continent.

Over 3,000 participants are expected to attend this year’s event, ranging from tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel agencies, insurance firms, logistics companies, and government representatives, to international buyers and industry professionals. The exhibition will also run side by side with the 5th Chinet Aviacargo Conference, creating synergy between the tourism and air cargo sectors.

The programmes have been carefully curated to deliver maximum value. Day One, Sunday, September 14, will open with exhibitions, followed by the grand opening ceremony.

The popular Jollof Rice War will thrill guests later in the afternoon, while the Top 100 Hotel Awards and the prestigious Travellers Awards will round off the day’s activities.

On Monday, September 15, the exhibitions will continue alongside the highly anticipated B2B session and several country days and product launches.

The day will also feature a domestic tourism session under the African tourism conference, the Women in Tourism conference, and will climax with the Africa Travel 100 Awards and an East African cocktail evening.

The final day, Tuesday, September 16, will focus on the business side of travel with an insurance conference in the morning, followed by the cargo and export conference at midday, and concluding with the youth tourism conference later in the evening, alongside exhibitions throughout the day.

Since its inception, Akwaaba has grown into a global platform, providing opportunities for networking, business development, cultural promotion, and knowledge exchange. The event has consistently attracted participation from leading African destinations, global travel brands, and key industry stakeholders.