Kisumu is stepping up preparations to host the World Talent Conference (WTC) 2026, with players in the hospitality, tourism, transport and service sectors positioning themselves to tap into the economic opportunities expected to accompany the international event.
The five day conference, scheduled for October 26–30, 2026, will bring together talent, education, business, innovation and enterprise stakeholders from Kenya, Africa and beyond, placing Kisumu at the centre of an international conversation on how talent can be transformed into practical opportunities.
As part of the preparations, hospitality, tourism and transport stakeholders held a strategic meeting at The African Talent University (TATU), one of the official venues for the conference, to assess the city’s readiness to receive and serve delegates.
The meeting brought together service providers whose roles will be critical in ensuring smooth accommodation, transportation, hospitality, tourism experiences and general support for visitors expected in the lakeside city.
Addressing the stakeholders, World Talent Federation Secretary General and TATU Founder and Sponsor, Prof. Humphrey Oborah, said the conference should be viewed as more than an education and talent development gathering.
According to Prof. Oborah, WTC 2026 presents Kisumu with an opportunity to market itself as a destination for international conferences, tourism, investment, culture and enterprise.
He said the success of the conference would depend not only on the quality of the discussions and programmes but also on the experience delegates receive from the moment they arrive in the city.
The meeting focused on several areas considered critical to the success of the conference, including stakeholder registration and accreditation, accommodation capacity, transportation and mobility, security coordination, customer service, tourism opportunities and business linkages.
Local enterprises were also encouraged to identify ways of benefiting from the expected increase in demand for accommodation, food, transport, entertainment, tourism services and other products.
The conference could provide an important boost to businesses at a time when Kisumu continues to position itself as a regional commercial and tourism hub for Western Kenya.
Beyond direct spending by delegates, stakeholders believe the event could create opportunities for networking, partnerships, investment and destination marketing.
Robert Oyoko, chairman of the participating hospitality, tourism and transport stakeholders, welcomed the conference, saying the sector was ready to work with organisers to ensure visitors receive quality services.
Oyoko said the economic benefits could extend beyond the five day conference, particularly if Kisumu succeeds in creating lasting business relationships with visitors, investors and organisations attending the event.
The preparations come as Kisumu continues to develop its profile as a destination capable of hosting major national, regional and international events.
With its location on the shores of Lake Victoria, the city offers a combination of conference facilities, hospitality establishments, cultural attractions and tourism opportunities that could complement the conference programme.
Stakeholders are now expected to work closely with the WTC 2026 Secretariat, The African Talent University, Kisumu County Government and other partners to ensure the city is adequately prepared.
Prof. Oborah also conveyed a message from Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, who is expected to officially launch the 30-day countdown to the World Talent Conference as preparations enter the final phase.
Talent at the centre of the conferenceWTC 2026 comes at a time when countries are increasingly placing emphasis on talent, skills, innovation and practical competencies as drivers of employment, entrepreneurship and economic development.
Unlike conventional conferences that largely focus on presentations and discussions, the World Talent Conference is expected to provide a platform where talent will be showcased through innovations, projects, performances, enterprises and practical solutions.
Young people, professionals, entrepreneurs, innovators, institutions and communities are expected to use the platform to demonstrate how individual abilities can be developed into sustainable economic opportunities.
A bigger opportunity for Western KenyaFor Kisumu and the wider Western Kenya region, the conference presents an opportunity to showcase local talent, culture, tourism attractions, products and businesses to an international audience.
Stakeholders are therefore looking beyond the immediate five-day event and hoping that the conference will create lasting linkages between local enterprises and international visitors and organisations.
With less than two months to the conference, preparations are now entering a crucial stage, with stakeholders expected to intensify coordination ahead of the arrival of delegates.
Kisumu is therefore not simply preparing to host another international meeting. It is seeking to use the World Talent Conference as a platform to demonstrate how talent can be identified, developed, branded and converted into innovation, enterprise, employment and sustainable livelihoods.
The World Talent Conference 2026 will be held in Kisumu from October 26 to 30, 2026.
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