By Perez Karisa, June 25, 2006
President William Ruto has confirmed that the Sh31.5 billion expansion of the Bomas International Convention Complex is on track for completion by April 2026, unveiling an ambitious development plan aimed at transforming the facility into Africa’s leading hub for meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE).
During an inspection of the project on June 25, 2026, President William Ruto said the redevelopment represents a major milestone in Kenya’s strategy to position Nairobi as a global conferencing and tourism destination. He noted that the upgraded complex will combine large-scale conferencing facilities with hospitality, retail, and entertainment infrastructure to attract international events and boost tourism revenue.
The project features a wide range of new developments, including an integrated shopping mall that will serve delegates and visitors within the complex. The retail component is expected to provide both convenience and commercial activity, supporting the broader goal of making the facility self-sustaining and economically vibrant.
In addition, the expansion includes the construction of three luxury hotels—two five-star establishments and one four-star hotel—under an initial 40-year lease arrangement. The hospitality facilities are designed to accommodate high-profile international delegates, conference participants, and tourists attending large-scale events hosted at the venue.
A state-of-the-art indoor arena and amphitheatre is also part of the development, intended to host sporting events, cultural performances, exhibitions, and major entertainment shows. Officials say the multipurpose design will allow the complex to operate year-round with diverse programming beyond conferences alone.
At the core of the redevelopment is a massive convention centre spanning approximately 323,500 square metres. The facility will include 35 meeting rooms and a total capacity of about 11,000 delegates, significantly increasing Kenya’s ability to host continental and global summits simultaneously.
The President further revealed that construction is being undertaken on a 24-hour schedule, with up to 3,000 workers deployed daily in an effort to meet tight delivery timelines. He described the project as a key driver of job creation and a cornerstone of Kenya’s urban economic transformation agenda.
Officials also confirmed that the upgraded facility has already been booked to host the France–Africa Summit scheduled for May 12, 2026, signalling strong international confidence in the project even before completion. The summit is expected to attract high-level delegations from across Africa and Europe, further elevating Nairobi’s profile as a diplomatic and economic meeting point.
Government projections indicate that once fully operational, the complex could significantly boost Kenya’s tourism sector, potentially raising annual visitor numbers to over five million and generating upwards of Sh1 trillion in economic value by 2028. The project is being positioned as a flagship investment in the country’s long-term strategy to expand the MICE sector and strengthen service-driven growth.
As construction continues, the government maintains that the Bomas redevelopment will redefine Kenya’s conferencing landscape and establish Nairobi as one of the continent’s premier destinations for international business events.
