By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 8 January 2026 - Kenya is preparing for a decisive leap onto the global conferences and exhibitions stage as the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC) nears completion, a development Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano says will redefine the country’s competitiveness in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector.
With its sheer scale, modern design and cultural symbolism, the complex is being framed as a game-changer that could restore Nairobi’s standing as Africa’s premier destination for high-level global gatherings.
In a statement shared on her page on the social media X platform on Thursday, CS Miano described the BICC as a strategic national investment with far-reaching economic implications.
“The BICC will be a crown jewel of our MICE offering,” she said, adding that the facility will “position Kenya competitively on the global stage while opening up new opportunities for growth across tourism, hospitality, transport, trade and the creative industries.”
Her remarks underline a deliberate policy shift that places business events at the heart of Kenya’s economic diversification agenda.
Once completed, the BICC will boast a seating capacity of 11,000, placing it among the largest and most modern convention facilities on the African continent.
Designed to host international summits, regional conferences, trade exhibitions and cultural events, the complex is expected to significantly expand Kenya’s ability to compete for major global meetings that often bypass the region due to infrastructure constraints. For a country that hosts major United Nations offices and positions itself as Africa’s diplomatic capital, the project is widely seen as long overdue.
Ms Miano has been keen to stress that the Bomas project is about more than physical infrastructure.
“This project goes beyond bricks and mortar. It represents a deliberate effort to strengthen the entire tourism value chain,” she said.
In anchoring the complex within the iconic Bomas of Kenya cultural precinct, the government is betting on a differentiated MICE product—one that blends world-class conferencing with authentic cultural experiences.
Delegates, Miano noted, will be able to “conduct business at the highest level while enjoying Kenya’s rich cultural heritage.”
The strategic location of the BICC in Nairobi—the “Green City in the Sun”—adds another layer to its appeal.
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The capital’s status as a regional transport hub, diplomatic centre and commercial nerve point positions it well to attract international organisations, multinational corporations and global forums seeking an accessible and stable host destination.
In an era of stiff competition from cities such as Kigali, Cape Town and Addis Ababa, the BICC is Nairobi’s strongest statement yet that it intends to reclaim lost ground.
Economically, the stakes are high.
According to Miano, the ripple effects of the complex will be felt well beyond the tourism sector. By attracting large international events, the BICC is expected to drive up visitor arrivals, boost hotel occupancy rates and increase demand for transport, logistics and professional services.
“The impact will be far-reaching,” she said, pointing to new opportunities for local suppliers, small and medium-sized enterprises and the creative industries, alongside the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
Miano has attributed the steady progress of the Bomas project to the leadership of President William Ruto and the coordinated support of government institutions and stakeholders.
She noted that the complex aligns with the administration’s broader development agenda, which identifies tourism and business events as key pillars of economic growth and global visibility.
As Kenya prepares to welcome the world, the Bomas International Convention Complex is increasingly being cast as a symbol of national confidence and ambition. In Miano’s words, it reflects
“Kenya’s readiness to host global conversations and showcase its identity on a world-class platform,” signalling a renewed push to position the country not just as a safari destination, but as Africa’s preferred hub for global ideas, deals and dialogue.
BICC Will Be the Crown Jewel of Kenya's MICE Offering, Says CS Miano
New 11,000-Seat BICC Nears Completion, Set to Transform Nairobi Events
