Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano addressing the press during an inspection at the KICC ahead of the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State at KICC, Nairobi on October 1, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
Kenya has confirmed its preparedness to host the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State and Government in Nairobi, set for October 9, 2025.
The high-level gathering will take place at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), with a series of side events scheduled in the run-up to the main summit.
The programme begins with the COMESA Business Forum on October 7, followed by the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on October 8.
The summit will bring together regional leaders to deliberate on trade, economic cooperation, and integration.
KICC CEO James Mwaura, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano and Investment, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Lee Kinyanjui and other officials during an inspection at the KICC ahead of the 24th COMESA Summit of Heads of State at KICC, Nairobi on October 1, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
“The COMESA Summit is critical as it provides a platform for engagement at a time of global turbulence, particularly on matters of trade,” he said.
“For Kenya, it is especially significant as President William Ruto will assume the chairmanship of COMESA, offering the country an opportunity to champion and advance intra-Africa trade.”
Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano described the event as a strategic boost to the country’s international profile.
“Conferences such as COMESA go beyond high-level diplomatic engagement. They place Kenya firmly on the global stage, raising our visibility and reinforcing our position as a preferred destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), also known as Business Events,” she said.
“Such platforms are powerful drivers of destination branding and economic growth.”
Tourism and wildlife cabinet secretary Rebecca Miano addressing the press during an inspection at the KICC ahead of the 24th COMESA summit of Heads of State at KICC, Nairobi on October 1, 2025/LEAH MUKANGAI
The government views MICE tourism as a key sector for economic transformation, complementing Kenya’s traditional strengths in leisure tourism, such as safaris, beach holidays, adventure, and gastronomy. Globally, business events are among the fastest-growing tourism sectors, generating billions of dollars annually.
According to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, hosting international conventions allows Kenya to showcase its infrastructure while creating opportunities for job growth, international partnerships, and wider economic participation.
The ripple effect, it is noted, extends across hotels, airlines, transport services, financial institutions, and even small-scale traders.
KICC, the summit’s main venue, has undergone extensive renovations to meet international standards. In addition, the government is expanding its MICE infrastructure with projects such as the Bomas International Convention Centre, a modern facility aimed at strengthening Kenya’s competitiveness in attracting mega global conferences.
The ministries involved stressed that the benefits of hosting summits like COMESA go well beyond diplomacy. They support Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by driving incomes and expanding opportunities across the economy.
“The benefits of hosting international summits extend far beyond the conference halls,” the statement read.
“From hotels, airlines, and transport providers to banking, financial institutions, and even local traders in markets. This ripple effect embodies the multiplier power of tourism.”
Kenya now looks to leverage the summit not only to strengthen regional trade but also to reaffirm its position as Africa’s premier destination for business events.
“Kenya is ready. The Kenyatta International Convention Centre is ready. And above all, our people are ready to welcome Africa and the world to Magical Kenya,” the statement concludes.
