Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. AFRICAN nations should urgently leverage on their diverse culinary traditions to capture a growing share of the global gastronomy tourism market, African Union ambassador for gastronomy, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa said on Saturday.
The global culinary tourism market was valued at US$11,5 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$40,5 billion by 2030, according to Grand View Research.
Key growth drivers include rising consumer spending on travel, a heightened desire among tourists to experience locally-sourced cuisine and a growing trend of using food to explore different cultures.
Speaking at the Creative Africa Nexus Summit held alongside Intra-African Trade Fair 2025 in Algeria, Mnangagwa positioned culinary heritage as a critical economic driver and a pillar of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
“Gastronomy plays a pivotal role as a gateway to understanding a destination’s culture and heritage,” she said.
“Culinary experiences have become a driving force in travel decisions, as international food enthusiasts seek authentic and immersive opportunities to taste the flavours of the world.”
Mnangagwa emphasised that this global trend presents an opportunity for Africa to diversify its tourism offering beyond wildlife and landscapes.
She identified gastronomy tourism as a fundamental component for promoting local cultures and a major element of intangible heritage, characterising it as a key driver for socio-economic development through the preservation of cultural heritage and community empowerment.
“In many African societies, women are the custodians of culinary traditions,” the First Lady said.
“By promoting local cuisine, we empower women not only as guardians of culture, but also as entrepreneurs, contributing to household and national economies.”
Mnangagwa called on health professionals and researchers to scientifically document the medicinal and nutritional qualities embedded in traditional African food varieties.
She urged African ministers, policymakers and cultural custodians to join hands in advancing gastronomy and culinary arts as pillars of collective development.
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