Armed with little more than a single backpack, boundless optimism and steely resolve, Omotoke Fatoki—celebrated as the Alárìnká of Africa—has rewritten the record books. She is now the first Nigerian woman to solo-backpack from Lagos to Windhoek, Namibia, travelling entirely by road.
For 6 months, Omotoke navigated nine nations—Nigeria, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia—and at last arrived in Namibia. She secured every ticket with her savings, generous donations from members of her community, ALARINKA and SARA by WEMA BANK. Instead, she depended on crowded buses, motorbike taxis and shared cars, transforming each cramped seat into a classroom of stories.
For Omotoke, this expedition transcends personal achievement—it is a beacon of possibility. “I’m inspiring more Africans to travel within Africa,” she says. “I want people from humble backgrounds to know they can explore this continent. Travel need not be exclusive or expensive. You begin where you are, with what you have.”
This landmark journey builds on her earlier feat of becoming the first woman to backpack across all 36 Nigerian states—an odyssey that ignited a grassroots movement for accessible travel. Through her platform, Impact Adventurers, she champions travel as a catalyst for community building, cultural exchange and storytelling.
Along the route, Fatoki documented local legends, celebrated African hospitality, and gave back through school visits, donations and charitable initiatives. Now she has distilled every insight into a new e-guide, Nigeria to Namibia by Road, which outlines:
Detailed itineraries and city-by-city breakdowns
Visa requirements and application tips
Public-transport options and ticket-booking hacks
Budgeting strategies for as little as ₦2,000 per day
Safety advice and cultural pointers
Her journey testifies to the power of belief—and proves that African travel is for Africans, too.
A Mission in Harmony with Afcfta
As a vocal advocate for African unity and youth empowerment, Omotoke sees her overland trek as a living embodiment of the African Continental Free Trade Area’s goals, particularly in mobility, tourism and economic integration. “Africans shouldn’t face more barriers travelling within Africa than flying to Europe,” she insists. “For AfCFTA to succeed, intra-continental travel must be easier, cheaper and fairer.”
Key recommendations she offers to Nigerian policymakers, the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) and the AfCFTA Secretariat:
Single African Visa – Simplify cross-border movement and unlock tourism potential.
Border-Process Reform – Standardise customs procedures and stamp out petty corruption.
Tourism Diplomacy – Champion Nigeria as a leader in regional mobility and trade.
Infrastructure Investment – Upgrade road networks and land-transport links across borders.
Why This Matters for Nigeria
As Africa’s most populous nation and largest economy, Nigeria holds the key to a more interconnected continent. Omotoke’s road odyssey spotlights Nigeria’s untapped soft-power potential—from cultural diplomacy to intra-African commerce.
Her impressions of Namibia—its modern highways, efficient systems and warm communities—underscore a broader truth: Africa’s promise far exceeds common perceptions. “This journey is for everyone who’s ever felt travel was out of reach,” she says. “I come from a humble background, yet I’ve crossed continents with nothing but belief. We don’t have to wait for European visas—we have a beautiful continent right here.”
ABOUT OMOTOKE FATOKI
Omotoke Motunrayo Fatoki (the Alárìnká of Africa) is a Nigerian overland adventurer, storyteller and founder of Alárìnká Travel and Impact Adventurers. She was the first woman to backpack all 36 Nigerian states, completed a 70-day trek across West Africa, and has now traversed 23 African countries by road. On a mission to visit all 54 nations overland, she uses travel as a tool for impact, unity and connection.
Follow her journey on Instagram and Twitter [@Omotokefatoki], and explore her e-guide at https://alarinka.com
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