The City of Kigali has joined the international alliance BestCities Global Alliance, which brings together cities known as excellent venues for hosting conferences and business events, becoming the 14th city in the world to join this alliance.
The decision to admit Kigali into this alliance was announced on July 14 by the leadership of BestCities Global Alliance.
Kigali was admitted into this alliance based on various factors, including being the cleanest and safest city in Africa, having attractive venues, and warmly welcoming visitors from around the world, among others.
The City of Kigali is one of the African cities that has continued to establish itself as an excellent conference destination, having ranked second for six consecutive years on the list of the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), which ranks cities favoured by international conference attendees.
In 2025, Rwanda hosted more than 25 international conferences, including the 2025 International AIDS Society Conference (IAS 2025) and the Global NCD Alliance Forum, all of which were held in the city of Kigali.
Kigali will also host the ICCA general congress in 2027, as well as the World Nephrology Congress, a conference on kidney medicine, scheduled for 2029.
The Board Chair of BestCities Global Alliance, Julia Swanson, said Kigali is among the cities rapidly advancing in hosting conferences in Africa, and that it fits well with what BestCities looks for.
She said: “As one of Africa’s fastest-growing meeting destinations, Kigali is a natural fit for BestCities. The city exemplifies the qualities that define today’s leading convention destinations: strong knowledge and innovation sectors, a commitment to sustainability, and a keen understanding of how business events can drive social and economic impact. Combined with Rwanda’s extraordinary wildlife, scenery, and cultural experiences, Kigali offers associations and delegates an exceptional destination both inside and outside the meeting room.”
The Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), Janet Karemera, said Kigali’s admission into this alliance reflects Rwanda’s effort to continue strengthening its position in the international Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) industry.
She said: “We are delighted to join the BestCities Global Alliance – a membership that reflects Kigali’s commitment to strengthening its position within the global MICE industry. Kigali has built strong capacity to host international meetings and events, supported by world-class infrastructure and a proven track record of delivering high-profile conferences. Through this platform, we aim to further enhance our visibility, exchange expertise, and continue elevating Kigali as a competitive destination for global business events.”
She went on to say that being part of this alliance will help them continue to raise Rwanda’s image on the international stage, gain knowledge, and continue showcasing Kigali as an excellent venue for international conferences.
Kigali joins this alliance alongside 13 other cities, including Berlin in Germany, Cape Town in South Africa, Copenhagen in Denmark, Dubai in the UAE, Dublin in Ireland, Guadalajara in Mexico, and Houston in the state of Texas in the United States of America.
Also included are Madrid in Spain, Melbourne in Australia, Singapore, Tokyo in Japan, Vancouver in Canada, and Washington, D.C. in the United States.
BestCities Global Alliance is an alliance aimed at promoting cooperation among these cities, sharing knowledge and experience in hosting international conferences, and organizing trade exhibitions as a driver of economic and social development.
The alliance was founded in 2000 through the partnership of the cities of Melbourne (Australia), Vancouver (Canada) and San Francisco (United States), with the goal of establishing an alliance of cities aimed at providing quality services in hosting international conferences and visitors.
Best Cities Global Alliance now brings together leading cities around the world, with Kigali becoming the 14th city to join the alliance and the first city from East Africa to be part of it.
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