The Director General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, has thrown her weight behind the upcoming Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo (AFTCEE) scheduled to hold in Abuja in November this year.

Iweala, who is billed to attend the event, urged African nations to leverage the opportunity provided by the upcoming event to harness their cultural and creative assets for accelerated trade and economic growth.

Themed: ‘Optimising Africa’s Comparative and Competitive Advantage for Accelerated Trade and Economic Growth,’ she noted in a letter, personally signed and sent to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Afrocultour, Mr. Chuks Akamadu, the organisers of the event, that Africa is immensely endowed with cultural and touristic opportunities.

She stressed the need to leverage these advantages to integrate more deeply into global and regional supply chains, adding that the WTO believes the future of trade lies in services, and tourism and the creative economy have a central role to play.

The former Nigeria finance minister wished the organisers a successful and impactful event, saying she looks forward to engaging in the event.

The Africa Tourism and Creative Economy Expo is expected to draw stakeholders from across the continent and beyond, with the aim of boosting trade, tourism, and cultural exchange.