Kenya Targets 60 Per Cent MICE Growth As Infrastructure And Tourism Investment Opportunities Expand

Kenya is positioning itself for significant growth in Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism, with the segment expected to grow by 60 per cent next year, driven by major government investments in convention infrastructure, airport expansion and improved connectivity.

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chief Executive Officer June Chepkemei said investments in major convention facilities, including Bomas International Convention Complex, Kisumu Convention Centre and the Tembo International Convention Centre at the Kenyan Coast, are strengthening the country’s capacity to host large-scale international conferences, exhibitions and corporate events.

In 2025, the conferencing segment accounted for 643,068 (25%) of the total arrivals while the conferencing segment recorded 643,068 arrivals (25%).

“With the Bomas International Convention Complex expected to accommodate 10,000 delegates, while the Kisumu and Mombasa convention facilities will accommodate 5,000 and 6,000 delegates respectively, we are confident that the MICE segment will significantly boost our visitor arrivals from next year,” said Chepkemei.

She added that plans to expand Jomo Kenyatta International Airport’s passenger-handling capacity from approximately 8 million to 20 million would further enhance Kenya’s ability to attract international events, business travellers and tourism investors.

“These developments underscore Kenya’s ambition to establish itself as a leading MICE destination in Africa while unlocking new investment opportunities across the wider tourism sector,” she said.

Chepkemei spoke at the ongoing World Travel Market (WTM) in London, where Kenya is represented by over 40 tourism trade partners showcasing the country’s diverse tourism attractions and experiences.

Beyond MICE, Kenya is also strengthening its tourism investment proposition through targeted incentives, strategic partnerships and the development of emerging wildlife destinations.

Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Chairman Joseph Lagat said the Service is pursuing initiatives to enhance the competitiveness of national parks and reserves through innovative tourism products, incentives and increased private-sector participation.

Among the measures are discounts of up to 30 per cent to encourage international organisations, corporates and event planners to host meetings and conferences within national parks, alongside incentives for charter flights and cruise tourism.

KWS is also promoting multi-park safari packages covering destinations such as Amboseli, Tsavo East and Tsavo West, while encouraging investment in accommodation facilities, lodges, camps and visitor amenities in lesser-visited destinations.

These include Meru, Mount Longonot, Marsabit, Sibiloi, Aberdare, Mwea, Saiwa Swamp, Ruma, Ndere Island and Mount Elgon.

Lagat said the strategy seeks to spread tourism beyond established destinations while creating new investment opportunities and economic benefits for communities surrounding protected areas.

Through initiatives such as Safari Kenya Live, in collaboration with WildEarth, KWS is also leveraging international digital platforms to showcase lesser-known destinations, including Ruma, Sibiloi and Marsabit. New experiences such as hiking, birdwatching, balloon safaris, cultural tourism and nature-based activities are expected to further diversify the country’s tourism offering.

At National Reserve, Samburu is positioning itself as an emerging investment and tourism destination within Northern Kenya.

Samburu County Executive Committee Member for Tourism Raphael Lenayiarra said the county is offering targeted incentives to filmmakers, tour operators, travel agents and organised visitor groups to increase destination visibility and attract more visitors to Samburu National Reserve.

The incentives include a 50 per cent waiver on applicable park entry fees for targeted categories, including filmmakers and group visitors, against the standard US$88 entry fee cited by the county.

He also applauded government investment in road and air infrastructure, noting that improved connectivity is making Northern Kenya more accessible to visitors and investors.