By Tobiloba Kolawole
Wakanow’s strategic partnerships with leading industry players enhance customer value by delivering exceptional travel experiences and setting new standards in the African travel industry.
In the rapidly evolving landscape of travel and tourism, Wakanow Group emerges as a pace setter of innovation and excellence, setting new benchmarks for the industry. The company’s success is not only a reflection of its visionary leadership led by Bayo Adedeji, Group CEO, but also of the strategic partnerships it has forged with top industry players across banking, payments, fintech, and airlines, both within Africa and Europe. These collaborations are more than just business alliances; they are instrumental in advancing Wakanow’s mission to deliver unparalleled customer value and exceptional travel experiences.
At the core of Wakanow’s strategy is the recognition that strategic partnerships are essential for realising its value propositions. By aligning with esteemed brands such as Mastercard and Outpayce, Wakanow has introduced cutting-edge payment solutions that enhance both customer and supplier convenience and security respectively. Mastercard’s collaboration with Kalabash54, Wakanow’s fintech arm, introduces an innovative travel card for Nigeria and Ghana, offering worldwide acceptance, airport lounge access, and exclusive discounts. This partnership underscores Wakanow’s commitment to financial inclusivity and streamlined electronic payments in the travel sector.
Wakanow has also teamed up with dLocal and Flutterwave, leveraging these partnerships to facilitate seamless international and local transactions. The integration of Flutterwave’s robust payment infrastructure enables Wakanow to offer more flexible payment options, ensuring that customers can transact in their local currencies with ease and security. These collaborations highlight Wakanow’s dedication to enhancing payment experiences and broadening financial accessibility across its markets.
Similarly, Wakanow’s partnership with Outpayce exemplifies the company’s embrace of virtual payments through a B2B Wallet. By integrating virtual cards into payment processes, Wakanow optimises transactions with airlines and hotels, reducing fraud and simplifying reconciliation. This digital payment approach not only generates incremental revenue but also modernises payment methods and supports a more efficient and secure transaction environment.
In the banking sector, collaborations with Lotus Bank and Wema Bank (ALAT) enhance financial services, providing Nigerians with a seamless platform for managing both their financial and travel needs. This integration of digital banking services with flight booking capabilities revolutionises the customer experience, offering convenience and efficiency, along with exclusive benefits such as cashback incentives.
In telecommunications, alliances with MTN and 9japay in Nigeria extends Wakanow’s reach, enabling customers to access travel services through user-friendly mobile platforms. This partnership allows Wakanow to deliver comprehensive travel solutions from flight bookings to payment management, all from a mobile device, thus enhancing accessibility and convenience for travellers.
The aviation sector sees Wakanow strengthening its network through collaborations with Air Peace, ValueJet, United Nigeria, Arik Air and Alternative Airline. These partnerships expand flight options and flexibility, significantly enhancing the travel experience. Notably, Wakanow’s integration of Alternative Airline’s live flight inventory into its platform is a game changer offering real-time access to flight bookings, setting new standards for service quality and stimulating domestic tourism in Nigeria.
Wakanow’s collaboration with Gimmonix brings a vast hotel inventory to the platform, offering customers access to a wide range of accommodation options. This partnership enhances the hotel booking experience by providing more choices and competitive pricing, ensuring that travellers can find the perfect stay that meets their needs and preferences.
To further amplify Wakanow’s role in facilitating travel experiences and promoting tourist destinations for Africans, Wakanow sealed a partnership deal with the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) in February 2024. The multi-million-dollar, five-year deal aims to facilitate 66,000 tourist travels to Morocco by 2029, showcasing Wakanow’s commitment to high-end travel experiences and cultural exchange, while contributing to economic growth through strategic events like the African Cup of Nations in 2025.
These strategic partnerships are pivotal in advancing Wakanow’s mission to deliver exceptional customer service and transformative travel experiences. By working with trusted and innovative partners, Wakanow not only enhances customer satisfaction but also positions itself as a leader in the African travel tech space.
A recent highlight of Wakanow’s technological prowess was the Wakanow Unpacked event held on June 20 in Lagos. This well-attended event, featuring industry leaders, strategic partners, and media representatives, both in-person and virtually across continents, showcased Wakanow’s forward-thinking approach. Key tech demonstrations included the use of AI to enhance predictive analytics for travel trends, which helps in personalising travel recommendations, and advanced machine learning algorithms that streamline booking processes and improve customer service. These technological innovations, coupled with Wakanow’s strategic partnerships, underscore the company’s commitment to driving the future of travel in Africa.
Importantly, these alliances foster capacity building and deepen collaboration within the travel industry on a continental scale. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and strategic insights, Wakanow helps the industry navigate towards a robust, technology-driven future. This approach creates opportunities for growth, expansion, and enhanced industry collaboration, setting a new standard for travel in Africa and positioning Wakanow at the forefront of the region’s travel tech revolution.
Wakanow Group’s strategic partnerships are a significant part of the bedrock of its success, driving growth and reinforcing its status as a leading travel tech company in Africa. Through these collaborations, Wakanow not only fulfils its promise of excellence but also sets new benchmarks in the industry, redefining the travel experience for millions of customers and solidifying its brand reputation as a pioneer in delivering superior value and innovation.
