Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.
In today’s topics;
- Nigeria’s tourism strategy sharpens with Ikogosi leading the charge
- Holloway steps in to revive Lagos’ National Theatre
- Radisson Hotel Group cements its presence across Africa
Nigeria’s Tourism 2030: Data, Partnerships Power Growth
Nigeria’s tourism ambitions are taking a definitive shape with the Destination 2030 agenda, and leading the way is the Ikogosi Warm Springs Resort.
At the recent Destination 2030 Data Platform Strategic Retreat, stakeholders from government and the private sector met to align on concrete actions. The focus was sharp—data-driven decision-making, infrastructure investments, and empowering local communities.
Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, praised the Ikogosi initiative as a strong sign of what’s possible when sectors collaborate. Backed by figures like Dr. John Olajide of Cavista Holdings, the minister emphasized that Nigeria’s tourism growth depends on unified efforts and consistent, smart use of data.
Plans are now underway to get the Ikogosi project approved at the federal level, with two major tourism events already scheduled for 2025. As Nigeria charts its course toward 2030, Ikogosi is proving just how far thoughtful strategy and reliable partnerships can go.
Tinubu Appoints Holloway to Lead Lagos National Theatre’s Revival
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Disun Holloway as Chairman of Theatre Partners, the body responsible for managing the newly renamed Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts—formerly the National Theatre in Lagos. This move signals a clear intent to revitalise one of Nigeria’s most iconic cultural landmarks.
Holloway, formerly Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism and Intergovernmental Affairs, brings a track record of aligning culture with commerce. His wide-reaching experience in governance and the creative economy makes him well-placed to steer the Centre into its next chapter. His leadership is expected to bridge government, private sector, and creative voices, laying the groundwork for sustainable operation and growth.
The National Theatre has just emerged from an extensive six-year renovation project, delayed by a global pandemic and various unforeseen hurdles. Originally scheduled for nine months, the project eventually totaled a N68 billion investment, driven by the Bankers’ Committee and led by the Central Bank of Nigeria. With its doors ready to reopen, the Centre is positioned to reclaim its role as a cornerstone of African creative expression.
With Holloway at the helm, the vision is clear: a cultural hub that not only celebrates Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage but also drives economic opportunity through creativity. This appointment is more than administrative; it reflects a deeper national commitment to nurturing the arts as essential to Nigeria’s future.
Radisson Hotel Group: Africa’s Leading Hospitality Expansion
Radisson Hotel Group is steadily building one of the most robust footprints in Africa’s hospitality landscape. According to the W Hospitality Group’s 2024 report, Radisson is leading the charge in new hotel openings across the continent. In just 15 months, the group has signed 11 new hotel contracts, opened seven properties, and added over 2,000 rooms—half of which came from adaptive reuses of existing properties.
Central to this expansion is the group’s focused growth into previously underrepresented destinations. Notably, Radisson will open its first properties in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the Radisson Blu Hotel in Kinshasa, slated for late 2026, and the Radisson Hotel in Lubumbashi by mid-2027. These entries signal a commitment to enlarging its footprint in new, high-potential markets.
Also underway is an expansion in Cameroon with the upcoming Radisson Blu Hotel & Apartments in Yaoundé, and an ultra-rapid rollout in Guinea, where the Radisson Blu Hotel in Conakry opened just three months after the deal was inked. Speed and flexibility have emerged as the cornerstones of the group’s African strategy, with conversions enabling faster project turnaround and portfolio diversity.
With over 100 properties operating or in the pipeline across 30+ African countries, Radisson is becoming a strong ally to event professionals planning meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions across the continent. The group’s eyes remain firmly on strategic growth in Morocco, South Africa, and Nigeria—regions critical to the evolution of Africa’s MICE ecosystem.
That’s it for today.