Kenya will host the 10th edition of the Aviation Africa Summit in September 2026, set to take place in Nairobi. This will be the second time in two years that the capital city is hosting an African aviation summit, following a near-similar one in 2024.

During the recently concluded 2025 summit in Kigali, Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, officially handed over hosting rights to Kenya, represented by Teresia Mbaika, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development.

The selection highlights Kenya’s growing influence and central role in driving the future of aviation across the continent.

“Kenya, through KCAA, is immensely proud and honoured to be announced as the host of the prestigious Aviation Africa Summit 2026! In a colourful handover ceremony at the 2025 summit in Kigali, Rwanda’s Minister of Infrastructure, Dr. Jimmy Gasore, officially passed the mantle to Kenya’s PS, State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development, Ms. Teresia Mbaika, CBS,” the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) stated on September 6, 2025.

PS Mbaika said the upcoming summit will not only drive sustainable aviation but also spotlight Kenya’s ability to merge innovation with top-tier tourism.

“Aviation is the bridge that connects economies, drives trade, and showcases Africa’s beauty to the world,” she remarked, adding that Kenya is ready to push bold reforms and unlock the region’s aviation potential as it hosts the 2026 Aviation Africa Summit.

The announcement comes as Kenya records major strides in aviation and tourism, including the planned expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and upgrades across other airports.

The Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector is also booming, with the 2024 Tourism Performance Report showing it contributed 27 per cent of tourist arrivals, up from 24 per cent in 2023. Nairobi was further named Africa’s Leading Business Travel Destination for 2025 at the World Travel Awards.

Connectivity improvements, such as new direct flights from Luanda and London Gatwick to Nairobi, reinforce this growth. This aligns with IATA’s projection that Africa’s air travel market will grow 4.2 per cent annually through 2043, fueled by young populations and rising markets.

Kenya Tourism Board Chief Executive Officer (CEO) June Chepkemei, on her part, stressed the summit’s role in boosting both tourism and investment, noting delegates will engage in key discussions while experiencing Kenya’s attractions.

The announcement was made during the Africa MICE Summit in Nairobi, which focuses on driving trade and investment through business events.

With a venue yet to be confirmed, the Aviation Africa Summit is set to provide a critical platform for airlines, regulators, and industry players to collaborate on safety, regulatory alignment, and sustainable growth.

Last year, Kenya, through its national airline Kenya Airways, hosted the third Africa Aviation Innovation Summit (AAIS), which took place between October 17 and 18, 2024. 

The summit, themed Diversification: Reaching New Customer Segments, enabled stakeholders to explore the critical challenges facing African aviation and provided a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration to propel the sector forward with future-proof industry solutions.  

Speaking during the opening ceremony at the Summit, Allan Kilavuka, Kenya Airways Group MD and CEO, emphasised the importance of agility in the face of changing customer needs, especially with the rising influence of younger generations, particularly the late Millennials and Gen Z.