Wakanow Expands Into Entertainment With Acquisition of NairaBox
Africa’s leading travel tech company, Wakanow Group, has announced the acquisition of NairaBox, a fast-growing Nigerian lifestyle and entertainment platform. The move marks a major step in Wakanow’s strategy to broaden its business beyond travel into the entertainment and lifestyle sector.
The acquisition is seen as a strategic effort to diversify Wakanow’s offerings and strengthen its presence in the African digital economy. Through NairaBox, the Group plans to offer customers seamless access to concerts, cinema tickets, lifestyle events, and travel experiences — all integrated under one platform.
According to Bayo Adedeji, Group CEO of Wakanow, the merger opens new opportunities at the intersection of travel, culture, and entertainment. “We see tremendous opportunity in the intersection of travel and entertainment. This acquisition allows us to offer deeper, richer experiences to our customers — not just where they travel, but how they live, enjoy, and engage with culture,” Adedeji said.
He added that the move is part of Wakanow’s long-term vision to innovate and expand across both geographical and sectoral frontiers. “Entertainment and lifestyle are natural extensions of our travel business. They enrich the value we deliver and align perfectly with evolving consumer needs. We believe these synergies will unlock new growth for both our customers and stakeholders,” he said.
In a statement released by Wakanow, Ugochukwu Jay Chikezie, CEO of NairaBox, will continue to lead the company during the transition. He will be joined by Oluwatobi Samuel Andero from Oracle Experiential Marketing, who will take on the role of Head of Business at NairaBox.
Chikezie described the acquisition as a defining moment for Nigeria’s entertainment scene. “Joining forces with Wakanow marks an exciting new chapter for NairaBox. Over the years, we’ve built a platform that connects people to the experiences they love — concerts, movies, and live events. This partnership allows us to expand that vision, combining travel and entertainment into one seamless ecosystem,” he said.
He further noted that the integration would create new possibilities for customers seeking meaningful experiences both locally and internationally. “Together with Wakanow, we’re creating a future where access to unforgettable experiences — across cities or continents — becomes simpler, smarter, and more connected than ever.”
The acquisition of NairaBox adds to Wakanow Group’s expanding portfolio, which already includes brands such as Wakanow.com, Onburd.com, Kalabash54, Rommde.com, Pointview, and Trip Merchant.
This development positions Wakanow as not just a travel agency, but a lifestyle brand offering complete travel, entertainment, and cultural engagement experiences across Africa and beyond.
