Nigeria recently took part in the Second Regional Forum on Gastronomy Tourism for Africa, held in Arusha, Tanzania, from April 23 to 25, 2025. The event, hosted by UN Tourism in partnership with the Basque Culinary Center and the Tanzanian government, brought together over 400 participants from across 30 African countries to explore the role of food and culinary heritage in sustainable tourism development.
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The forum focused on integrating gastronomy into tourism value chains, promoting local food systems, and advancing innovation and entrepreneurship within the sector. Nigeria’s delegation contributed to key discussions on enhancing food tourism through local crop promotion, culinary branding, and stronger linkages between agriculture and hospitality.
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The event also introduced new educational initiatives, including a scholarship program to support emerging talent in African gastronomy. With preparations already underway for the third edition in Sierra Leone, Nigeria’s participation signals growing national interest in positioning food tourism as a driver of cultural preservation, rural development, and economic growth.
