A city with genuine ambition

It’s become commonplace to say that a city is looking to the future – but in Kigali, real change is underway… and happening fast. The country’s planning and policy roadmap, Vision 2050, outlines a long-term strategic goal to build “the Rwanda we want” with targets for cutting poverty and boosting opportunity helping to achieve upper-middle-income status by 2035 and high-income status by 2050.

With a young population - it’s estimated that 70% of Rwandans are under 30 - and a government keen to nurture a pro-business environment, Rwanda has already come a huge way in the past two decades. And its capital epitomises that drive and energy: the Kigali International Financial Centre aims to transform the nation into a Pan-African financial hub, while Kigali Innovation City is a growing tech hub home to Carnegie Mellon University Africa, large corporations, and technology companies.

"Kigali offers a strategic location, modern infrastructure, political stability, cultural and touristic attractions, and a commitment to sustainability, making it an excellent choice for conference organisers looking to host successful and memorable events," says Christian Manzi, MICE Sales Manager at the Rwanda Convention Bureau. "The city has implemented initiatives to promote eco-friendly practices, making it an ideal location for conferences that prioritise sustainability, and Rwanda is known for its political stability and security, which creates a conducive environment for hosting international events."

Efforts to build a strong community that looks after itself, the city and the planet include Car Free Day, which sees road closures on the first and third Sundays of the month to make Kigali a greener city for all, and the Umuganda (translated as ‘coming together in common purpose to achieve an outcome’), a national holiday once a month when everyone must carry out several hours of community work.

As a result, Kigali is second only to Cape Town in the continent’s ICCA rankings and its convention team are keen to welcome even more international congresses: they can offer everything from help with bid preparation to liaising with government and private sector specialists to support your event; pre- and post-tours and incentive group travel are also available.

The main venue for large conferences is the distinctive Kigali Convention Centre, 5km from the city centre and Kigali International Airport. Perched on a hilltop with the Radisson Blu Hotel adjacent, it's an impressive sight: the shape of the auditorium, with capacity for up to 2,600 people, echoes a hut in the Kings Palace while the hotel was designed to resemble a traditional woven basket.

Elsewhere, Intare Conference Arena, which opened in 2017, boasts the latest in AV tech; options include a conference hall for up to 2,500 theatre-style, while the BK Arena is a new multi-purpose indoor arena that can host up to 10,000.

Many international brands have a presence in the city, including Marriott, Four Points by Sheraton, Serena Hotels and ONOMO Hotels: the colourful and contemporary 161-room Park Inn by Radisson just 12km from the airport is particularly highly rated, and offers meeting spaces for up to 400.

If you're looking for five-star accommodation, Kigali boasts about 640 rooms; highlights include luxury boutique hotel The Retreat and Heaven with its spa and saltwater pools, where Charles and Camilla stayed during last year's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Off-site tours can be as adventurous or sedate as your delegates wish: venture into the country's national parks to track the endangered mountain gorilla on the slopes of the Virunga Volcanoes, try a safari in Akagera (rated amongst the most scenic national parks in Africa) or learn about the rich biodiversity in Nyungwe, the largest protected mountain rainforest in Africa. Or there are a wealth of community tours or trips to tea and coffee plantations; for a real treat, visit Lake Kivu in the west of Rwanda, with deep emerald-green waters surrounded by magnificent mountains.

In November 2022, RwandAir launched direct flights from Heathrow to Kigali; direct flights head to the capital overnight four times a week. Kigali International Airport is about 5 miles outside the city and tourist visas are free and available on arrival in Rwanda for citizens of member states of the Commonwealth (including the UK).

Case study: African Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) 2023

Nearly 2,500 delegates and speakers joined in person and virtually to discuss themes of climate and health at the 2023 Africa Health Agenda International Conference (AHAIC) in March.

"Kigali Convention Centre is a world-class facility and run by very attentive and purposeful staff," says Maggie Rarieya, Global Partnerships Director at Amref Health Africa. "Kigali city is a great destination and is taking great strides in curbing some of the negative impacts of climate change."

As a not-for-profit, Rarieya notes that the decision to make the conference accessible to all meant it was a challenge to bridge the gap with sponsorship and partner support. "That said, we were able to ensure that the voices of vital stakeholders (community members, youth, govt, health professionals and so forth) could get a seat at the table and add to the rich discourse," she adds.

Highlights included the launch of the Africa Leaders Policy Forum, an informal dialogue platform for health ministers to discuss critical health issues affecting Africa and a youth zone in which over 35 youths examined ways to build resilient health systems. And in a fitting touch, more than 600 people took part in a pre-conference wogging (walking/ jogging) event to mark the city's car-free day and raise awareness of climate change.

 Who to contact

Christian Manzi
MICE Sales Manager
E: Christian.Manzi@rcb.rw
W: rcb.rw/