ATC summit in Lagos urges visa reforms and stronger regional air links
Stakeholders at the inaugural African Travel Commission summit and exhibition in Lagos, Nigeria, held 11–12 February 2026, called for urgent visa policy reforms, reduced border barriers, improved regional air connectivity and stronger public–private partnerships to accelerate tourism growth. The meeting – the first major engagement of the revived ATC – noted that despite record global tourism in 2025, Africa’s potential remains underused, even as the sector contributed an estimated USD 225 billion to GDP and nearly 30 million jobs, with West Africa lagging other regions.
Resolutions urged African governments, regional economic communities and the African Union to harmonise visa policies, cut or remove visa fees for African travellers and promote freer movement, commending Rwanda, Kenya and Ghana for lifting restrictions. Delegates also backed creating a Nigerian national carrier to act as a West African hub, increased investment in aviation infrastructure and expansion of intra-African routes, alongside ATC-led research, a continental tourism statistics database and capacity-building programmes. Tourism was positioned as a tool for economic integration, with ECOWAS encouraged to embed it in development plans. Nigeria will host the 2027 summit, with dates to follow.
Source: African Travel Commission
