The Cabinet has given the green light for the rollout of the Kenya National Convention Bureau as Kenya steps up preparations to host the 4th COMESA–EAC–SADC Tripartite Summit set for mid-2026.
The approval marks a key move by the government to strengthen the country’s readiness for major regional meetings while raising Kenya’s standing as a preferred venue for global conferences and events.
In a Cabinet dispatch dated December 15, the Cabinet said the decision is part of wider efforts to place Kenya among top destinations for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions.
The Cabinet noted that the bureau will play a central role in supporting regional integration, growing economic ties, and expanding high-value tourism linked to large international gatherings.
The Kenya National Convention Bureau will be tasked with coordinating the planning, marketing, and hosting of international conventions and events. Through this role, the government expects Kenya to gain more economic and diplomatic value from hosting major regional and global meetings.
Cabinet Secretaries said the establishment of the bureau fits within national goals aimed at attracting investment, improving Kenya’s global image, and supporting the growth of the MICE sector as a source of jobs and income. They said the move will help Kenya compete better for international events while ensuring organised and well-managed hosting of high-level summits.
“Cabinet was briefed on Kenya’s hosting of the 4th COMESA–EAC–SADC Tripartite Summit in mid-2026 and approved the rollout of the Kenya National Convention Bureau to position the country as a leading global destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE), reinforcing Kenya’s commitment to regional integration, economic cooperation and high-value tourism,” the dispatch read.
The COMESA–EAC–SADC Tripartite Free Trade Area brings together three major regional blocs under one framework, making it one of Africa’s largest integration efforts. The bloc covers 29 countries with a population of more than 700 million people and a combined gross domestic product of over 1.4 trillion US dollars.
As part of preparations for the summit, the National Organising Committee for the 4th Tripartite Free Trade Area Summit of Heads of State and Government was launched on November 5. The committee was inaugurated in Naivasha by Senior Deputy Secretary for Administration at the State Department for Trade, M’mbetsa Omar Beja, on behalf of Principal Secretary Regina Ombam.
The committee brings together representatives from several government ministries, departments, and agencies. It will offer policy direction, technical support, and logistical planning to ensure smooth preparations and delivery of the summit scheduled for next year.
