Wakanow, Nigeria’s top online travel group, has acquired Nairabox, an event and cinema ticketing platform, in a move that will see Wakanow expand beyond traditional travel services.
Founded in 2008, Wakanow offers flight bookings, hotel reservations and much more. The addition of events and cinema beings Wakanow at the center of the entertainment sector and consolidates its user experience onto one platform.
According to Bayo Adedeji, CEO of Wakanow, “We see tremendous opportunity in the intersection of travel and entertainment. This acquisition allows us to offer richer experiences—not just where people go, but how they engage with culture.”
Nairabox helps users book concert tickets, cinemas, and live events and its end-to-end integration into Wakanow will offer customers a seamless journey from travel planning to cultural engagement, all within its single digital platform.
Wakanow’s platform’s now include Kalabash, a fintech solution; RoomDe, an accommodation marketplace; and Onburd, a travel service provider and now Nairabox which will see the firm integrate travel, entertainment, and lifestyle services into a single platform.
In 2018, Global alternative asset manager, The Carlyle Group invested $40 million into Wakanow for expansion and further develop our offerings and broaden its customer base. These Nairabox acquisition is part of it.
“Together with Wakanow, we’re creating a future where access to unforgettable experiences becomes simpler and more connected than ever,” said Ugochukwu Jay Chikezie, co-founder of Nairabox.