The Nigerian Chamber of Commerce-USA (NICOCUSA) says it plans to promote African unity and unlock the continent’s creative economy through the celebration of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
Mr Gregory Ihenacho, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of NICOCUSA, disclosed this while briefing journalists on the forthcoming Afrocentric Cultural Expo in Awka on Wednesday.
Ihenacho said the expo, scheduled to hold from Nov. 7 to Nov. 18 in Abuja, was being organized in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy.
He said the exhibition would showcase the cultural values and traditions of Africans and people of African descent in the diaspora, including communities in Brazil, the Caribbean, the United States, South America, Europe and Asia.
According to him, the 10-day program will feature Afrocentric music, fashion, heritage awards, a pageant, intellectual debates, a food expo, cultural exhibitions, a football tournament, a film festival, and a global business and investment forum.
“The maiden Afrocentric Cultural Expo is projected to have a direct economic impact of at least $250 million, and we have sold over 1,000 exhibition booths to food vendors and medium- and large-scale companies already.
“The expo will serve as the pre-eminent African cultural authority, facilitate the activation of creatives, foster economic development and empower individuals through cultural exhibitions and trade,” he said.
Ihenacho said the event would also promote cultural exchange and give the global community greater appreciation of Africa’s heritage.
“It is imperative that Africans take the initiative to narrate our own stories,” he said.
He expressed optimism that the expo could attain global recognition and rank among the world’s major cultural events in terms of scale and impact.
Ihenacho added that the event was expected to boost tourism, attract foreign investment and contribute to the expansion of Africa’s manufacturing capacity.
According to him, Nigeria was selected to host the expo because of its strategic position, population and influence as Africa’s largest Black nation.
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“Abuja is an ideal city for this event with world-class highways and road networks, a thriving hospitality industry, a diverse array of restaurants and numerous tourism attractions,” he said.
The NICOCUSA chief said the expo was expected to provide a platform for cultural exchange, business networking and investment opportunities while strengthening Nigeria’s position as a hub for African cultural and creative activities.
The Nigerian Chamber of Commerce-USA was founded in May 2002 to bridge the business communities in the United States and Nigeria, advocate for favorable trade policies, and promote the Nigerian brand.
 says it plans to promote African unity and unlock the continent’s creative economy through the celebration of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.){kind=link}