By Isaac Agber

Copyright independent

Wakanow, one of Africa’s leading travel technology companies, has announced fresh innovations aimed at reshaping travel services, including deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into its operations and a broader footprint across Africa and the diaspora.

Speaking at the Akwaaba African Travel Market on Tuesday at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, Olushola Ipinmoroti, Senior Vice President for Global Operations at Wakanow Group, said the company was committed to redefining travel convenience and accessibility for Africans at home and abroad.

“We are in 30 countries today, and our focus is to keep investing in technology and people. Our goal is to have less dependency on humans and more reliance on AI. We want to train chatbots to handle customer needs end-to-end,” she explained. “Wakanow understands the travel language of Africans, and that is why our expansion into the diaspora is crucial.”

Beyond technology, Ipinmoroti highlighted the company’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Waka Cares, which empowers women and youth through free training in the business of travel.

“We partner with institutions and governments to teach people how to sell travel, give them incentives, and help them build businesses of their own. It’s about mentorship and empowerment, aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” she noted.

On travel insurance, the executive stressed that Wakanow has built a knowledge base to simplify customer education. “We sensitise clients across all our marketing channels, helping them understand the type of insurance suitable for leisure, corporate, regional, or international travel. Customers are now more confident travelling because they know they are covered against illness, baggage loss, or other risks,” she added.

Commenting on summer travel patterns, Ipinmoroti dismissed America’s dominance as a prime destination. “America is overrated. Nigerians and Africans are now exploring new destinations across Africa, Europe, and Asia. They are more enlightened, seeking easier access, affordability, and value for money,” she remarked.

She also highlighted Nigeria’s growing inbound tourism potential, particularly during the festive “Detty December” season when Nigerians in the diaspora return for weddings, family events, and cultural festivities. “That’s why Wakanow has established offices in Mexico, Canada, the US, UAE, and the UK to cater to Africans abroad while promoting African tourism,” she said.

On the recently opened Nigeria–Brazil route, Ipinmoroti confirmed Wakanow’s commitment to promoting the corridor for both cultural and business exchange. “Nigeria and Brazil share deep cultural links, and we see opportunities for trade and tourism on this route,” she said.

She further noted that forex challenges that once crippled the aviation sector have eased. “Since 2023, many airlines have switched back to pricing tickets in naira as the gap between bank and parallel market rates closed. African carriers like Ethiopian Airlines, RwandAir, and Royal Air Maroc never restricted their inventories, and now most airlines have fully returned,” she explained.

Founded in 2008, Wakanow is widely recognised as Africa’s largest online travel agency and a pioneer in travel technology solutions. The company offers flight bookings, hotel reservations, visa assistance, holiday packages, airport transfers, and travel insurance.

With operations across multiple continents, Wakanow has positioned itself as the go-to platform for Africans seeking affordable and reliable travel services.

As the continent’s travel sector evolves, Wakanow’s blend of AI-driven innovation, social impact initiatives, and global reach positions it at the forefront of Africa’s tourism and travel revolution.