The National Treasury has reaffirmed its commitment to financing and supporting the implementation of the proposed Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC), a flagship infrastructure project expected to reposition Kenya as one of Africa’s leading destinations for international conferences, exhibitions and business tourism.
The assurance came after the Cabinet Secretary for the National Treasury hosted Bomas of Kenya Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Okidiangi at the Treasury Building on Friday, where the two discussed the institution’s expanding role in preserving Kenya’s cultural heritage while driving investment, tourism and economic transformation.
The meeting focused largely on the progress of the Bomas International Convention Complex, a project the government considers critical to strengthening Kenya’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
According to the Treasury, the convention centre will provide a world-class venue for hosting international summits, government functions, diplomatic engagements, investment forums, exhibitions and policy conferences, significantly reducing pressure on existing facilities while enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness in the regional conference market.
“The BICC is a transformative investment that will enhance public service delivery by providing a world-class venue for government engagements, policy dialogues, diplomacy, investment promotion and stakeholder consultations,” the Cabinet Secretary said after the meeting.
He added that the government remains committed to supporting Bomas of Kenya in implementing strategic investments that strengthen public institutions, create employment opportunities and contribute to the country’s long-term economic development.
“I reaffirmed my commitment to supporting Bomas of Kenya in delivering strategic investments that strengthen public institutions and enhance Kenya’s global competitiveness,” he said.
A Long-Planned National Project
The proposed Bomas International Convention Complex is among Kenya’s most ambitious public infrastructure projects and has been under discussion for several years as successive governments sought to expand the country’s capacity to host major international events.
The development is expected to replace and modernise parts of the ageing Bomas of Kenya facilities, which have served as one of the country’s premier cultural and conference venues for more than five decades.
Government planning documents indicate that the project will include a state-of-the-art convention centre, modern exhibition halls, high-capacity meeting rooms, hospitality facilities, office space, improved parking infrastructure and upgraded public amenities designed to meet international conference standards.
The project is estimated to cost approximately Sh35 billion, although the final investment value is expected to depend on the scope of construction and procurement.
Government officials have previously indicated that financing would combine public investment with private sector participation through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework to ease pressure on the national budget while leveraging private capital and expertise.
The convention complex forms part of Kenya’s broader strategy of investing in infrastructure capable of attracting international organisations, multinational corporations and global investors.
Competing for Africa’s Conference Business
The project comes as competition for conference tourism intensifies across Africa.
Countries including Rwanda, Ethiopia, Morocco and South Africa have invested heavily in modern convention facilities, enabling them to attract high-profile international meetings that generate billions of shillings in tourism receipts each year.
Kenya has traditionally relied on facilities such as the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), which has hosted numerous continental and global conferences since its completion in the early 1970s. However, the increasing size and complexity of international events have exposed the need for additional modern conference infrastructure.
Industry experts estimate that business travellers attending conferences spend considerably more than leisure tourists because they typically require accommodation, transport, dining, entertainment and other professional services over several days.
Government officials believe the BICC will enable Kenya to compete more effectively for global conferences while supporting growth in aviation, hospitality, transport, event management and the wider service economy.
Preserving Culture While Driving Development
Beyond its economic significance, the project seeks to preserve the historic role of Bomas of Kenya as the country’s premier cultural institution.
Established in 1971, Bomas of Kenya has become synonymous with the preservation and promotion of Kenya’s rich cultural heritage through traditional homesteads, music, dance performances and exhibitions representing communities from across the country.
The institution has also hosted major national events, government functions and international delegations, making it one of Nairobi’s most recognisable public landmarks.
Officials say integrating modern conference infrastructure with cultural tourism will create a unique destination capable of offering delegates both business facilities and authentic Kenyan cultural experiences.
Supporting Vision 2030 and BETA
The renewed Treasury backing aligns with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which prioritises investments that generate employment, stimulate enterprise development and attract foreign direct investment.
The project is also anchored in Kenya Vision 2030, the country’s long-term development blueprint that identifies tourism, infrastructure and investment promotion as key drivers of economic growth.
Once completed, the Bomas International Convention Complex is expected to create thousands of direct and indirect jobs during construction and operation while supporting hundreds of small and medium-sized enterprises supplying goods and services to conferences and exhibitions.
Officials further expect the facility to strengthen Nairobi’s position as East Africa’s diplomatic and commercial hub, complementing existing conference infrastructure and increasing Kenya’s appeal as a destination for regional and international business events.
With the National Treasury reaffirming its support, attention now shifts to the project’s financing, procurement and implementation timelines as the government seeks to deliver one of its most significant investments in conference and cultural infrastructure in recent years.
Editor’s note: The reported Sh35 billion project cost has been cited in previous government communications and media reports.
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