Wakanow Adds Umrah Visa Issuance and Expands Lagos Centres

In Short

Wakanow is expanding its travel ecosystem in Nigeria. The company says it can now issue Umrah visas directly. It also refreshed its website and mobile app. And it is opening or upgrading more physical travel centres across Lagos.

What Happened

Wakanow announced a new phase of expansion on August 31, 2026.

A key update is “direct Umrah visa issuance authority”. That means Wakanow can process and issue Umrah visas through its own approved channel, instead of only routing customers through third-party agents. Umrah is a pilgrimage to Makkah that Muslims can perform at any time of the year.

On the product side, the company says it has redesigned its website and improved its mobile app. The goal is a single platform that bundles flights, hotels, holiday packages, tours, and travel add-ons. Travel add-ons are extra services like airport transfers, travel insurance, or special assistance.

Wakanow also plans to open new travel centres and upgrade existing ones across Lagos. Physical centres still matter in Nigerian travel, especially for higher-touch trips that involve visas, group travel, or documentation checks.

Why It Matters

This move signals a push toward “full-stack” travel, where one company manages more of the trip from booking to documents and support. For customers, that can reduce back-and-forth and lower the risk of missed steps, especially for visa-linked travel.

For Wakanow, direct Umrah visa capability can drive higher-margin religious travel demand and repeat business. It also helps the company differentiate in a crowded online travel booking market by combining self-service digital tools with in-person support.

More broadly, the update shows that African travel companies are still investing in both software and storefronts, as online booking grows but trust and paperwork remain offline-heavy.