The Kigali convention center facility with net floor area of 32,200 m2, offers premium conditions for regional and international events like conventions, exhibitions, festivals and cultural happenings with the adjoining 5-star Convention Hotel and the directly connected IT-Office-Park.
Rwanda is fully prepared to host the upcoming African Union Summit, and all requirements are in place, Foreign Minister Louise Mushikiwabo said.
The 27th AU summit will be held in Rwanda’s Capital Kigali between July 10-18th under the theme; “ 2016: African Year of Human Rights, with particular focus on the Rights of Women”.
“Rwanda is very ready to host the African Union Summit. We are very busy with lots of activities to ensure the summit is a success,” Mushikiwabo told the conference.
The summit is expected to attract 3500 delegates including 54 heads of state. This is going to be the first time for Rwanda to host Africa’s most influential gathering including; senior government officials, diplomats and members of private sector.
Briefing local and international media, Minister Mushikiwabo said that Rwanda has set all the infrastructure needed to host the summit.
Among the key infrastructure include the multi-million dollar Kigali convention centre, Laddison Blue Hotel, as well as Kigali Marriot Hotel.
Radisson Blue, world’s leading brand in Hotel management, will co-manage Kigali convention Centre under the brand ‘Radisson Blu Hotel & Convention Centre, Kigali.”
“Marriot Hotel will also be fully operation ahead of the summit, while Kigali Convention centre will be operational in the first week of next month.”
Mushikiwabo assured media that there is no hurdle at moment that Rwanda will fail to ensure all delegates enjoy first class reception during the summit.
She said although the Kigali convention center suffered some setbacks three years ago, the facility is now complete.
The facility worth $300 million comprises of a five-star hotel with 292 rooms, a conference hall that can host 2,500 people, several meeting rooms, as well as an office park.
Rwanda aims to become a regional centre for meetings Incentives, Conferences and events-having successfully hosted the recent World Economic Forum on Africa.
The country has successfully hosted key continental events including the 2016 African Nations Championship tournament held in between January and February this year- where a total of 16 teams represented their countries.
Meanwhile, in 2014, Rwanda hosted the African Development Bank Annual Summit, which attracted over 1500 delegates.
The country’s security has been exceptional in the past 22 years-earning Rwanda global accolades to host such big events.
Rwanda’s envoy to Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the AU, Hope Tumukunde Gasatura said, “Rwanda is committed and looks forward to hosting a memorable summit.”
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Louise Mushikiwabo speaking to media about preparations for the forthcoming AU summit in Kigali
Journalists at the press conference
Kigali Convention center at night
Marriot Hotel, Kigali is one of the new major infrastructure
