The West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO) and the University of Greenwich have formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking the beginning of a strategic partnership aimed at advancing sustainable tourism development, research collaboration, knowledge exchange, and educational opportunities across West and Central Africa.
The agreement was signed at the University of Greenwich in London by Professor Vanessa Lemm, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost of the University of Greenwich, and Ms Ola Wright, Chief Executive Officer of the West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO), in the presence of distinguished representatives from both institutions and the tourism sector.
Among those attending the ceremony were Peter O’Hara, Director of International Engagement; Nick Hand, Director of International Affairs; Dr Peter Vlachos, Principal Lecturer in Marketing and International Link Tutor; Mr Efetobo Awhana, Director of the Africa Tourism Awards; and Ms Reine Angelique Hatunga, CEO of Berakha Tours & Travel, alongside other guests and stakeholders.
The partnership reflects a shared commitment to promoting sustainable and inclusive tourism development through collaboration between academia, industry, governments, and communities. It will focus on strengthening research and knowledge exchange, supporting evidence-based policy development, and expanding educational opportunities that build capacity across the tourism sector.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ms Ola Wright, CEO of WATO, described the agreement as “far more than a formal partnership,” emphasising that it represents a shared vision for positive impact through education, innovation, and sustainable development.
“Tourism is much more than an economic activity,” Ms Wright said. “It is a powerful driver of cultural understanding, social inclusion, environmental stewardship, and regional development. This partnership demonstrates what can be achieved when institutions from different regions come together with a common purpose.”
The MoU establishes a framework for collaborative research between the University of Greenwich and universities and organisations across West and Central Africa. Areas of mutual interest include tourism development, sustainability, heritage preservation, accessibility, destination management, and community-based tourism.
Both institutions believe that tourism growth in West and Central Africa should deliver meaningful benefits to local communities while ensuring responsible and equitable returns for investors. The partnership will therefore seek to bridge the gap between academic research and practical implementation, ensuring that knowledge generated through collaborative projects contributes to effective policy-making and sustainable tourism strategies.
The agreement also seeks to expand educational access and capacity-building opportunities across the region while creating valuable international learning experiences for students in both Africa and the United Kingdom.
In her remarks, Professor Vanessa Lemm highlighted the long-term significance of the partnership, noting that “the signing of this MoU is not the end of a process, but the beginning of a journey—one that I am confident will deliver meaningful benefits for our institutions, our students, and the communities we serve.”
As part of the initial collaboration, WATO has agreed in principle to sponsor prizes for outstanding dissertations at the University of Greenwich, focusing on tourism in Africa. In addition, Ms Wright will participate in the university’s lecture series, contributing expertise and insights on tourism development in the region.
Dr Peter Vlachos, whose engagement helped facilitate the partnership, described the collaboration as closely aligned with the University of Greenwich’s commitment to being an inclusive, global, and impactful institution.
The MoU represents a significant milestone in strengthening academic and professional links between the United Kingdom and West and Central Africa, creating new opportunities for research, innovation, capacity building, and sustainable tourism development.
About the West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO)
The West Africa Tourism Organisation (WATO) is an independent, non-governmental tourism organisation dedicated to promoting sustainable tourism development, regional cooperation, investment, accessibility, cultural heritage preservation, and capacity building across West and Central Africa. Through partnerships with governments, educational institutions, tourism businesses, and communities, WATO works to position the region as a competitive and sustainable tourism destination.
