The heart of
Africa’s hospitality and culinary future is beating loudly at Nairobi’s KICC
this week, as the 2025 editions of the Hotel Expo Kenya and the Africa Food
Show is underway, having started on August 6.
Opened by
the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano, the co-located
events are uniting over 100 exhibitors and thousands of professionals from
across the continent under one roof.
The CS said
the choice of Nairobi to host the events showed irresistible maturity of Kenya
as a major tourism profile in the region and continent and that the state would
do all it can to harness every tourism product on offer to net more visitors.
From
hospitality leaders to agribusiness innovators, the three-day showcase is fast
becoming a pivotal platform for reimagining Africa’s experience economy.
“These events come at a time when the intersection of food, travel, and lifestyle is more important than ever,” said Miano.
“They reflect the commitment of our
nation and continent to sustainable growth, youth empowerment, and excellence
in service and production.”
Organized by
Global Exhibitions Inc., a part of MIE Events DMCC, the expos are drawing
high-level engagement across sectors, including tourism, agriculture,
technology, and investment. Key partners include GIZ, Kenya Tourism Board,
KNCCI, FA-K, OFIMAK, and more.
Edwin
Masivo, Country Director of Global Exhibitions Inc., captured the spirit of the
occasion: “This is more than just an expo — it’s a movement. We are here to
challenge norms, drive innovation, and champion sustainability. Africa is not
just participating in global trends — we’re setting them.”
The
inaugural Hotel Expo Kenya is turning heads with curated sessions on
sustainability, smart hotel tech, design trends, guest experience, and women in
hospitality leadership. Meanwhile, the Africa Food Show dives deep into value
addition, food security, agribusiness innovation, and culinary tourism.
Attendees
can expect live product demos, engaging masterclasses, B2B investor sessions,
and the show-stopping Mezani Showcase, a celebration of African cuisine in
motion.
“Food and
hospitality are two pillars that define every great African experience,” added
Masivo. “Their convergence represents untapped potential for job creation,
cultural diplomacy, and economic transformation.”
According to
James Mwaura, the chairman of the Nairobi chapter of Kenya National Chamber of
Commerce and Industry, the ripple effect of such expos is far-reaching: “These
sectors support millions of livelihoods. By investing in their future, we
invest in the stability and prosperity of our communities.”
The expos
are open to trade professionals, government agencies, academia, investors, and
students. Attendance is free upon registration — and the impact is priceless.
