Welcome to the MICE Africa daily read for MICE Professionals doing business in Africa.
In today’s topics;
- Nigerian travel agencies challenged to embrace digital and strategic evolution
- Ethiopian Airlines deepens tourism ties with Nigeria
- Europe-Africa Summit in Greece targets sustainable tourism investment
Nigeria’s Travel Agencies: Thrive with Digital Strategy & Smart Planning
Nigeria’s travel industry is being pushed toward a digital future, and those unwilling to adapt risk being left behind.
At a recent workshop hosted by the Lagos Zone of the National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), travel professionals were urged to rethink their business models. Bankole Bernard, Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, led the charge with a clear message: structure, digitization, and strategic thinking are now essential for any agency hoping to thrive.
Bernard didn’t mince words. He pointed to the power of automation, data, and partnerships as key leverage points for sustainability and growth. Operational efficiency is no longer a bonus—it’s a baseline requirement in a competitive market where consumer expectations are changing fast.
A notable highlight of the event was the relaunch of the NANTA Membership Identification Card, symbolizing a renewed commitment to professional integrity and standardization. It’s more than a card—it’s a call to action for Nigerian travel agencies to evolve, innovate, and operate with accountability.
Ethiopian Airlines: Unlocking Nigeria’s Tourism Potential
Ethiopian Airlines is deepening its roots in Nigeria with a renewed focus on driving tourism between the two nations.
Leading the charge is Mrs. Firiehiwot Mekonnen, the airline’s newly appointed Area Manager in Nigeria. Her mission is twofold—invite more international tourists to discover Nigeria, and encourage Nigerians to explore Ethiopia and other corners of the continent, using Ethiopian Airlines’ wide-reaching African network.
The airline has long supported cultural events in Nigeria, notably Carnival Calabar, and is now looking to make festive seasons like “Detty December” more travel-friendly with affordable offerings. This push is not only about tickets and routes—it’s about positioning Nigeria as a prime destination brimming with natural beauty, cultural heritage and untapped potential.
Having served Nigeria since 1960, Ethiopian Airlines brings decades of partnership, a modern fleet, and one of the most extensive networks on the continent. With Mrs. Mekonnen at the helm, the airline is set to be a more active player in unlocking Nigeria’s place on the African tourism map.
Athens Summit: Investing in Africa’s Sustainable Tourism Future
The Europe-Africa Tourism Investment Summit is set for 5 May at Grand Resort Lagonissi in Athens, Greece.
This gathering brings together policymakers, investors, and travel leaders to explore investment opportunities in Africa’s sustainable tourism sector. With a focus on green development, the summit will address funding, air connectivity, visa access, human capital, and the strategic role of the MICE industry in shaping Africa’s tourism narrative.
One of the key highlights includes a session titled “Bridging Continents,” featuring the EU Commissioner for Sustainable Transport, H.E. Apostolos Tzitzikostas, and BBC Presenter Rajan Datar. Their dialogue will focus on cross-continental strategies to build responsible tourism ecosystems and resilient infrastructure across Africa.
The summit will host an influential mix of tourism ministers, developers, airlines, hoteliers, financiers, and tech innovators. Commercial negotiations and networking opportunities are expected to pave the way for meaningful collaborations between Europe and Africa, anchored in sustainability and long-term tourism growth.
That’s it for today.