Lagos will host a major cultural and tourism exhibition in December, positioning Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) at the center of efforts to revive Nigeria's underdeveloped tourism sector.
The three-day Migbaci Expo is expected to attract more than 15,000 in-person participants and hundreds of thousands online, serving as a hub for training, investment, and collaborations across tourism and creative industries. SMEs in food, fashion, crafts, hospitality, transport, and digital services are expected to be major beneficiaries.
Chief Executive Officer of Migbaci Expo, Akinwale Alabi, stressed the need for deliberate government and private-sector investment in tourism, describing it as a "gold mine" for entrepreneurs. "Tourism is the way to go. This event will open eyes to what Nigeria has and how SMEs can tap into the opportunities," he said.
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The expo will feature state showcases, free tourism trips for attendees, and international participation, including the Irish Commissioner and other global delegates. Strategic partnerships, such as with Dublin's Idea Hub, will also provide SMEs with exposure to foreign markets and investors.
Tourism consultant Ayo Olesin highlighted how countries like Germany and South Africa have commercialised simple cultural assets into billion-dollar industries. He urged Nigerian SMEs to see local heritage products—from palm wine to crafts and festivals—as global market opportunities waiting to be scaled.
By spotlighting cultural diversity and heritage, organisers say the expo aims to transform local SMEs into key players in the tourism value chain, from tour operators and artisans to digital marketers and export-ready brands.
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