- Tanzania has entered into an agreement to build a 5000 capacity conference centers in Arusha city.
- New facility named Mount Kilimanjaro International Conference Centre (MKICC) is projected to be operational in 2027.
- The project will cost $144.7 million (TSh385 billion) and features a hotel, helipad, and modern residential suites.
Tanzania is building what is projected to be East Africa’s largest and most modern conference facility, the Mount Kilimanjaro International Conference Centre (MKICC), in Arusha city. The memorandum of understanding for the construction of the MKICC was signed this week between the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) and the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF) .
The project sign off was done by the Executive Director of AICC, Christine Mwakatobe, and the Director General of PSSSF, Abdul Razzaq Badru.
“The project is part of the government’s efforts to boost the country’s meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions in its tourism sector,” explains a press release issued at the MoU signing.
The envisioned mega conference center is expected to dwarf the current renowned Arusha International Conference Center (AICC). At a projected cost TSh385 billion, the new mega conference center will be set up at Kijenge area, in Arusha City.
“The construction of the Kilimanjaro International Conference Centre (KMICC) aims to address these limitations by providing a modern facility with a significantly greater capacity,” a media update said in part.
It added that MKICC will feature a large auditorium with a capacity of more than 5,000 people. “The conference centre will rival Kenya’s Kenyatta International Conference Centre, whose largest room, the Tsavo Ballroom, can accommodate up to 4,000 guests.”
The project is expected to be completed in a two year period and should be operational by 2027, the report explains. The new facility will also boast a five-star hotel with 500 rooms, 10 presidential suites, a 20,000-square-metre commercial area, parking for 2,000 vehicles, and a helipad.
With these facilities, the new MKICC will serve to boost the city’s and indeed, the regions, tourism and economic opportunities
“It will significantly boost the city’s economy and market the country’s investment opportunities… the project is expected to address the lack of adequate infrastructure in the MICE sector and position Tanzania as a key destination for international events.”
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Minister of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, said; “President Samia has identified the untapped opportunities in conference tourism, and this project is part of her government’s strategy to address these challenges.”
Arusha conference centre to unlock region’s potential
He went on to underscore the fact that this mega project will serve to unlock the potential of the region’s business and tourism sectors. “This project will not only bring global attention to Tanzania but it will also create economic opportunities for Arusha and the entire region as well,” he emphasized.
KMICC project is aligned with Tanzania’s Development Vision 2025 as well as the country’s ruling part election manifesto, noted Ambassador Kombo, adding that this growth blueprint, “prioritizes the development of large-scale infrastructure to support economic growth.”
He was keen to point out that, while external companies will be included, the project will be implemented predominantly by Tanzanian companies. “This will further contribute to local economic development,” he said.
On his part, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office Labour, Youth, Employment and Persons with Disabilities, Mr. Ridhiwani Kikwete underscored the project’s role in advancing Tanzania’s conference tourism industry, stating, “many projects of this scale typically rely on foreign partners. However, this conference facility will be built by Tanzanians, using Tanzanian funds.”
“While similar projects may take over four to six years, this one is set to begin this year and be completed by 2027, it will be up and running within just two years,” he insisted.
He decried the fact that Tanzania has the potential for hosting international conferences, yet, “We lack adequate venues and because of that, we recently, we had to turn away over 1,500 delegates after exceeding capacity at an event with 5,000 attendees,” he revealed.
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AICC: The Geneva of Africa
Currently, the Arusha International Conference Center (AICC), which was opened in 1978, stands as Tanzania’s largest conference center with a capacity to host 1,200 people.
Most famed for hosting United Nations meetings and particularly the UN tribunal for Rwanda genocide, the AICC no longer has the capacity to meet growing demands for large scale meetings.
“Despite its strategic location and historical significance, the AICC’s capacity and facilities are no longer sufficient to meet the growing demand for large-scale conferences and events” reads the report.
Today, Arusha serves as a key hub for tourism and business in Tanzania, and acts as the gateway to the northern tourism circuit, which includes Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and Ngorongoro Crater. With this in mind, the envisioned KMICC is expected to further enhance Arusha’s position as a leading destination for tourism and business meetings in East Africa.
