Kenya’s Ascendancy as a Premier MICE Destination: A Strategic Leap in Economic Growth and Global Diplomacy.

By: Sharon Njeru.

President William Ruto and KICC CEO James Mwaura.

Kenya is preparing to host several significant international conferences in the upcoming weeks and months. During a Tuesday meeting chaired by President William Ruto, the Cabinet approved hosting the Blueinvest Africa Forum in July 2024 and the World Congress of the International Union of Forest Research Organization (IUFRO) in August 2024.
“The hosting of these two conferences further advances the realization of our nation’s foreign policy objectives with climate change adaptation and the health of oceans and seas (blue economy) as key cornerstones of our diplomacy,” stated a Cabinet despatch.
Additionally, Kenya will join East African Community (EAC) Member States in celebrating World Kiswahili Day from July 5-7, 2024, underscoring the cultural importance of the language.
James Mwaura, Chief Executive Officer of the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), praised the government’s efforts to establish Kenya as a leading destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE). He highlighted that hosting such events will enhance Kenya’s status as a preferred MICE destination.
“The MICE sector is a key contributor to Kenya’s economic growth as laid out in the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The sector plans to increase international MICE visitors from 110,000 in 2015 to one million by 2030, raising MICE earnings from Ksh. 17 billion (approximately USD 157 million) in 2015 to Ksh. 40 billion (approximately USD 370 million) by 2030,” Mwaura noted on Wednesday.
This announcement follows Kenya’s successful hosting of several notable events, including the inaugural Africa Climate Summit, the Africa Heads of State Summit supporting the 21st Replenishment of the Resources of the International Development Association (IDA21), and the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group Annual Meeting. According to the International Congress and Conventions Association (ICCA), Kenya ranked third in Africa in 2023, a significant improvement from ninth place in 2022. South Africa led with 98 conferences, Rwanda was second with 32, and Kenya hosted 21.
Mwaura emphasized that these summits and events are essential for increasing Kenya’s visibility and attracting more MICE business.
The ICCA report, which analyzed over 10,000 meetings, reflects Kenya’s progress. Globally, Kenya advanced to the 58th position in 2023 from 80th in 2022, while Nairobi rose to the 111th position from 292nd based on the global tally of meetings held.