The Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria (ATPN) has urged African governments to adopt a unified cultural mobility policy across the continent to boost tourism, strengthen economic cooperation and deepen regional integration.
The President of the association, Femi Fadina, made the call in an interview with journalists in Lagos while reacting to Nigeria’s recent 30-day visa-free entry policy granted to Rwandan citizens.
The policy, announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Africa CEO Forum in Kigali, is aimed at encouraging intra-African movement, tourism growth and stronger economic ties among African nations.
Fadina described the reciprocal visa arrangement between Nigeria and Rwanda as a significant milestone toward greater regional integration and continental connectivity.
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He said it represents a shift in thinking from border restriction to continental openness, stressing that Africa’s long-term prosperity depends on stronger intra-African linkages.
He therefore called on African countries to jointly develop a cultural mobility framework focused on tourism, creativity, education and economic diplomacy to unlock the continent’s tourism potential.
According to him, such a framework should include simplified short-stay travel procedures for African citizens, special mobility arrangements for professionals in the creative sector, and a harmonised African festival calendar to promote year-round travel across the continent.
Fadina noted that Africa is often presented globally as separate destinations rather than a connected cultural space, adding that improved mobility would create stronger tourism networks instead of fragmented competition.
He further explained that easier movement within the continent would boost internal spending by expanding opportunities in aviation, hospitality, tour operations, festivals and the wider creative industry.
The ATPN President also said enhanced mobility would improve cultural understanding among Africans by encouraging greater exposure to shared heritage, traditions and artistic expression.
Fadina observed that Nigeria already has one of Africa’s most influential cultural export industries, driven by Nollywood, Afrobeats, fashion, cuisine and youth culture.
However, he lamented that restrictive travel systems have limited the country’s ability to fully translate its cultural influence into tourism revenue.
He added that improved mobility policies across Africa could position cities like Lagos as leading destinations for fashion, entertainment, conferences and festival tourism, strengthening Nigeria’s role as a continental hub for creative and cultural tourism.
