The Nigerian Chamber of Commerce-USA (NICOCUSA) says the forthcoming Afrocentric Cultural Expo will promote Africa’s rich cultural heritage while unlocking new economic opportunities for the continent’s creative and cultural industries.
The Founder and CEO of NICOCUSA, Mr Gregory Ihenacho, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists in Awka. He said the expo, scheduled for Nov. 7 to Nov. 18 in Abuja, is being organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
Ihenacho said the 10-day event would bring together Africans and people of African descent from around the world, including the Caribbean, Brazil, the United States and other regions. Activities will include music, fashion, cultural exhibitions, heritage awards, a pageant, food expo, football tournament, film festival and a global business and investment forum.
He projected that the maiden edition could generate a direct economic impact of at least $250 million, adding that more than 1,000 exhibition booths had already been sold to food vendors and medium and large-scale companies. He said the expo was expected to boost tourism, foreign investment, manufacturing and creative enterprise.
According to Ihenacho, Nigeria was selected to host the event because of its cultural influence and position as the world’s largest Black nation. He said Abuja’s infrastructure, hospitality industry and tourism attractions also made it suitable for the international cultural gathering.
He added that the expo would provide Africans with an opportunity to tell their own stories, showcase their heritage and strengthen cultural and economic connections across the global Black community.
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