Kenya officially confirmed its preparedness to host the 24th Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) Summit of Heads of State and Government, scheduled to take place on October 9, 2025, at the iconic Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

This landmark event, a key fixture in Africa’s diplomatic and economic calendar, will bring together leaders from 21 member states to discuss critical issues related to regional integration, trade, and economic cooperation.

The Summit will be preceded by the COMESA Business Forum on October 7, and the Meeting of Ministers of Foreign Affairs on October 8.

Speaking ahead of the event, the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Lee Kinyanjui, emphasized the significance of this year’s summit for Kenya.

“The COMESA Summit is critical as it provides a platform for engagement at a time of global turbulence, particularly on matters of trade. For Kenya, it is especially significant as H.E. President William Ruto will assume the chairmanship of COMESA, offering the country an opportunity to champion and advance intra-Africa trade,” said Kinyanjui.

The Summit is also expected to significantly boost Kenya’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) sector, which has been identified as a high-potential growth area in the tourism industry.

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano, hailed the event as a strategic win for Kenya’s global visibility:

“Conferences such as COMESA go beyond high-level diplomatic engagement. They place Kenya firmly on the global stage, reinforcing our position as a preferred MICE destination. Such platforms are powerful drivers of destination branding and economic growth.”

She expressed gratitude to President Ruto for his leadership in securing the prestigious event and underscored the broader economic impact of hosting global summits—spanning hotels, airlines, transport services, financial institutions, and local businesses.

To ensure world-class hosting standards, the KICC has undergone major renovations and technological upgrades.

Kenya is also expanding its MICE infrastructure through flagship projects such as the upcoming Bomas International Convention Centre, which aims to further enhance the country’s capacity to attract large-scale international events

The Ministries of Tourism & Wildlife and Investments, Trade & Industry have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening partnerships and bidding for more high-profile events.

With the support of both local and international media, Kenya aims to inspire confidence globally as a vibrant destination for trade, tourism, and investment.

“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 concluded.