Rwanda : a preferred destination for conferences
More than just a niche, conference tourism is becoming a key focus of Africa's tourism industry. Rwanda exemplifies this trend with a significant increase in tourist revenues in 2023, driven by hosting prestigious events and strategic partnerships.
In 2023, Rwanda set a record in conference tourism with revenues reaching $95 million, equivalent to over 122 billion Rwandan francs, according to recent data from the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB). This marks an impressive 48% increase from the previous year. This success can be attributed to hosting 160 major international meetings and events, attracting over 65,000 participants from around the globe. Key events included the International Congress on Conservation Biology, the Women Deliver conference, the Basketball Africa League, the Kigali International Peace Marathon, and the IRONMAN 70.3 Rwanda triathlon. Initiatives like the Trace Africa Music Awards & Festival and Global Citizen’s Move Afrika also contributed to the country’s financial success.
Kigali, second most popular city for hosting conferences
Thanks to these efforts, Kigali has solidified its position as the world’s second most popular city for hosting conferences, while Rwanda has risen to third globally among conference destinations, according to the Federation of Conference Tourism Organizations.
Since 2019, Rwanda’s appeal for international conferences has continued to grow. In just four years, the number of conferences hosted decreased from 220 to 160, with participants increasing from 43,000 to 65,000, resulting in a significant rise in tourist revenues.
To further enhance its international image, Rwanda has formed strategic partnerships with renowned European football clubs such as Arsenal FC, Paris Saint-Germain, and Bayern Munich. These collaborations have helped draw global attention to the country’s investment and tourism potential.
With sustained growth and an ambitious strategy, Rwanda aims to surpass $600 million in tourist revenues in the near future, reinforcing its reputation as a successful model for conference tourism in Africa.
