Celebrating a Decade of Success: Rwanda Convention Bureau Marks 10 Years in the MICE Sector
The Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB) proudly celebrates a significant milestone this year, commemorating 10 transformative years of advancing Rwanda’s Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) sector. This achievement underscores a decade filled with strategic innovation, impactful collaborations, and a unified commitment to positioning Rwanda as a premier destination for global business tourism, backed by both government and private sector stakeholders.
Founded in 2015, the Rwanda Convention Bureau has effectively facilitated the hosting of over 800 international events, establishing Rwanda as the second-ranked African destination for association conferences in the ICCA 2023 rankings. Janet Karemera, CEO of RCB, emphasized the Bureau’s ambitious vision for the next decade. “We aim to double our revenues within five years, aligned with the National Strategy for Transformation II. This objective is supported by initiatives to improve our infrastructure, cultivate skilled professionals, and ensure seamless service delivery,” she stated.
The MICE industry has been instrumental in Rwanda’s economic development, significantly boosting its international profile. Strategic alliances with Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) and Destination Management Companies (DMCs) have successfully attracted major global events to the nation, including the 73rd FIFA Congress, Women Deliver Conference 2023, and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2022. These initiatives have resulted in a substantial rise in international delegates, firmly establishing Rwanda as a leading hub for innovation and collaboration across Africa. Significant investments in modern facilities have been crucial to Rwanda’s achievements in the MICE sector.
Iconic venues such as the Kigali Convention Centre, BK Arena, Intare Conference Arena, and the newly renovated Amahoro Stadium, which accommodates 45,000 spectators, have greatly enhanced the country’s hosting capabilities. Looking ahead, Karemera outlined plans to develop new exhibition venues to meet the growing demand for large-scale events. The hospitality sector in Rwanda has seen remarkable growth, featuring esteemed establishments like Marriott, Radisson Blu, Four Points by Sheraton, and the upcoming Mövenpick Hotel, along with luxury lodges such as One& Only Gorilla’s Nest and Singita Kwitonda Lodge.
These venues offer an ideal combination of business and leisure opportunities for international visitors. Connectivity is set to improve further with the anticipated opening of Bugesera International Airport in 2026, supported by RwandAir’s expanding network in partnership with Qatar Airways. The 10th-anniversary celebrations were marked by a strong presence at global trade shows such as IMEX Frankfurt and IBTM Barcelona. Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX, praised Rwanda’s impressive growth and commitment to excellence during these events. This year, RCB collaborated with over 20 partners, including leading MICE venues and service providers, showcasing the country’s readiness for global partnerships. At IBTM Barcelona, RCB highlighted its success story, reflecting on its modest beginnings with just two partners. Its evolution to encompass over 20 dynamic industry players illustrates Rwanda’s transformation into a competitive and collaborative destination. Prominent organizations such as Business Events East Africa, Sensitive Group Ltd., and Global Events Africa Ltd participated in the celebrations, underscoring Rwanda’s growing capacity to host world-class events.
