Rwanda’s capital has once again solidified its place as one of Africa’s top destinations for global gatherings. According to the 2024 ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) rankings, Kigali ranks 2nd in Africa for hosting international association meetings—a position it has held consistently for the past five years.
Rwanda also maintained its spot as the 3rd most popular country on the continent for such events.
This continued recognition underscores Rwanda’s growing reputation as a trusted, efficient, and welcoming hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE).
Contributing factors include the country’s visa-on-arrival policy for all nationalities, RwandAir’s expanding flight network, and world-class infrastructure anchored by flagship venues such as the Kigali Convention Centre, BK Arena, Amahoro Stadium, and Intare Conference Arena.
The city’s strong performance is further supported by a thriving hospitality sector that includes major global brands like Radisson Blu, Four Points by Sheraton, Marriott, One&Only, and Singita. New additions, including Mövenpick and Odalys, are set to open soon, offering even more options for global delegates.
In 2024 alone, Rwanda hosted over 52,000 delegates, generating US$84.8 million in MICE revenue.
More than 17,000 of these delegates attended high-profile international association meetings, including the FIA Annual General Assembly, ICANN 80 Policy Forum, the International Network for Government Science Advice Conference (INGSA), and the Africa Food Systems Forum.
“We are pleased to see Rwanda and Kigali continue to be recognized among Africa’s leading destinations for association meetings,” said Janet Karemera, CEO of the Rwanda Convention Bureau.
“These results reflect the efforts of various players across the events industry and the confidence international associations place in Rwanda as a preferred destination for hosting conferences and events. These rankings inspire us to further enhance our support and offerings for global events.”
Further solidifying its leadership role in Africa’s MICE industry, Kigali will host the ICCASkills Hub this year, launching two professional certification programs for events professionals.
The Certified International Convention Specialist (CICS) course will run from 15–17 July, followed by the Certified International Convention Executive (CICE) course from 14–16 October. These ICCA-led trainings aim to build capacity across Africa and provide globally recognized certification to professionals in the sector.
Rwanda’s consistent performance in the ICCA rankings, combined with its seamless blend of business and leisure—including unique tourism experiences like gorilla trekking and Big Five safaris in Akagera National Park—has made the country much more than just a place to meet.
It is becoming a preferred gateway for meaningful connections and impactful global conversations.