The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has recorded a major milestone in its efforts to revive the Confederation of Tourism Partners of West Africa (COPITOUR), a regional private sector tourism body that had remained inactive for several years.
FTAN hosted a one-day consultative meeting in Abuja aimed at repositioning COPITOUR as the leading voice of the private tourism sector in West Africa. The meeting ended with commitments from regional governments and development partners to strengthen collaboration and support the organisation’s revival.
The gathering was held as part of the ECOWAS Framework for the Recognition and Accreditation of Regional Business Associations. It was convened by the Directorate of Private Sector and Industry of the ECOWAS Commission.
The event received support through the Trade in Services Programme, West Africa, funded by the European Union Delegation to Nigeria and ECOWAS, co-financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ Nigeria in partnership with ECOWAS.
Representatives of the ECOWAS Commission, the European Union and GIZ called on COPITOUR to strengthen its institutional structures, build strategic partnerships and focus on sustainable tourism development across the region.
The organisations also reaffirmed their commitment to supporting COPITOUR and working closely with the ECOWAS Commission to promote regional tourism growth.
Speaking at the event, FTAN President, Dr. Aliyu Ajayi Badaki, described the meeting as a historic milestone for tourism development in West Africa.
He said FTAN remains committed to working with COPITOUR, the ECOWAS Commission and member federations to achieve the organisation’s vision of becoming the leading regional voice for the private tourism sector.
According to Badaki, a unified regional tourism platform will create new opportunities for investment, knowledge sharing, policy coordination and stronger regional integration.
He noted that tourism remains one of the most effective tools for economic diversification, job creation, cultural exchange and sustainable development across West Africa.
COPITOUR President, Mr. Racine Sy, also praised the ECOWAS Commission and GIZ for supporting the initiative. He said the meeting marked a new beginning for the organisation and would strengthen its role in tourism policy advocacy and regional cooperation.
Sy urged member organisations to continue working together to unlock West Africa’s tourism potential and build a stronger regional tourism industry.
Officials from the ECOWAS Commission, the European Union and GIZ stressed that a vibrant tourism sector would improve regional competitiveness, strengthen economic integration and create more opportunities for businesses and communities across West Africa.
They added that COPITOUR has an important role to play in promoting dialogue between governments and the private sector, advocating policy reforms and supporting the implementation of regional tourism initiatives across ECOWAS member states.
