Tannaz Bahnam Champions Lagos Through Lost in Lagos and Awari

Tannaz Bahnam, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of both Lost in Lagos and Awari, is on a mission to redefine how people discover and experience the vibrant culture of Lagos, Nigeria. In a recent interview with ARISE News, Bahnam shared her insights on the city, which she has called home for the past 18 years. She emphasized the unique energy of Lagos, attributing its vibrancy to its people and the strong sense of community that permeates the city.

Bahnam described Lagos as a city alive with creativity and opportunity. “What stands out for me in Lagos is the people. It’s what they do that makes the city come alive,” she stated. This deep-rooted appreciation for the community is what initially drew her to the city nearly two decades ago. Recognizing the challenges of navigating and discovering new places upon her arrival, Bahnam created Lost in Lagos, a platform aimed at helping both residents and visitors uncover the city’s hidden gems, from culinary delights to artistic experiences.

Lost in Lagos evolved over time, allowing Bahnam to enhance engagement between local businesses and customers. Building upon this success, she launched Awari, an innovative app designed to further transform urban exploration. The name Awari, which means “to seek and discover” in Yoruba, reflects the platform’s goal of facilitating direct communication between businesses and potential customers. “We’ve created a platform that allows businesses to acquire and retain customers while making it exciting for users to discover places and experiences,” Bahnam explained.

The lifestyle scene in Lagos has undergone significant transformation, with burgeoning creativity in sectors such as food, fashion, and entertainment. Bahnam noted that the city now boasts an impressive array of restaurants, retail spaces, and events year-round, not just during the festive season of December. “The Lagos scene has changed so much. There are now reasons to come to Lagos all year round,” she said, pointing to events like Lagos Fashion Week, Art X Lagos, and the ELOY Awards as evidence of the city’s growing global appeal.

Moreover, Bahnam identified small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as the backbone of Lagos’s lifestyle ecosystem. She designed Awari to equip these businesses with essential tools to thrive in a competitive landscape. “As social media gets busier, it’s harder for them to reach the right customers. So we created Awari to give lifestyle SMEs tools that make discovery enjoyable for customers,” she said. The platform offers features like event tickets, experience packages, and loyalty programs, all intended to enhance customer engagement and business sustainability.

As the festive season of “Detty December” approaches, Bahnam noted that Awari will facilitate seamless access to various experiences and events. “We have a full ticketing platform,” she said. “Many of the December events will be on the app, alongside experience packages and guided tours. We encourage businesses to create packages that make discovering Lagos easier.”

When asked about her favorite aspects of December in Lagos, Bahnam highlighted the city’s vibrant music scene, particularly the Afrobeats genre. “There’s so much incredible music — I love Afrobeats. Whenever I travel and hear it playing abroad, it fills me with pride,” she shared. Despite her Iranian heritage, Bahnam feels an intrinsic connection to the Lagos lifestyle, even adopting the nickname “Olamide,” which translates to “my joy has come.”

For those visiting Lagos for just one day, Bahnam recommends a blend of traditional and contemporary experiences. “I would take them to a market to see the real Lagos,” she suggested. “But they also need to visit art galleries like Nike Art Gallery, enjoy some Nigerian food — definitely suya — and see landmarks like the Lekki Conservation Centre and the J.K. Randle Centre.” She emphasizes that discovering Nigeria requires exploring multiple facets of the city.

Looking ahead, Bahnam has ambitious plans for expansion beyond Lagos and Abuja, with aspirations to reach other cities across Africa and the Middle East. “We’re trying to change the way people discover urban destinations in emerging markets,” she remarked. Many of these locations hold considerable potential for tourism but require the right tools for visibility and connection.

Bahnam expressed her openness to collaborating with local guides and tour operators to enrich visitor experiences. “We want both visitors and locals to experience the city in ways they normally wouldn’t,” she said. “Any added value leaves a positive impression.”

In closing, Bahnam reaffirmed her commitment to showcasing Lagos on the global stage. “Lagos is dynamic, complex, and full of heart,” she concluded. “It’s a city that never stops evolving, and we just want to help people discover it.”