Nairobi News

HustleNews

City traders eye bounty as Nairobi hosts Tokyo African summit


Kenya is projecting a direct cash injection of Sh12 billion into the economy as 10,000 delegates start streaming into Nairobi from Monday to attend the sixth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD VI) Summit.

The multilateral event brings together African leaders to dialogue on trade, investment and development with Japanese top leadership.

The delegates — 4,000 from Japan and 6000 from various African countries— are double the number of visitors who came to Nairobi during the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) held in Nairobi last month.

IMMEDIATE BENEFIT

“We expect immediate economic benefit of hosting this event to double the Sh6 billion that delegates attending the recent United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) injected in the economy,” said Foreign Affairs and International Trade secretary Amina Mohamed at a media briefing.

Kenya Airways, city hotels and taxi service providers are set to reap early gains from the event.

According to a notice published by the TICAD VI Secretariat, top hotels such as Serena, Nairobi Safari Club, Lilian Towers, intercontinental, Sankara, Hilton, Radisson Blu, Sarova Stanley and Sarova Panafric are already booked for “special’ guests.

The Secretariat has asked delegates to seek accommodation from 94 other facilities located at city’s periphery.

Nairobi becomes the first African city to host TICAD since inception in 1993. All the five previous sessions have been held in Tokyo.

Ms Amina said a total of Sh500 million will be spent on logistics of hosting the delegates, among them 35 heads of states, who have confirmed their participation in the event.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is one of the heads of governments who have confirmed their participation.

TRAFFIC SNARL-UPS

Nairobi residents must however brace for another round of traffic snarl-ups as a number of roads will remain closed during the week as part of security measures lined up for high profile delegates.

The main TICAD VI session will be held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) between August 27 and 28th forum. Ms Mohamed however said 74 side events, including exhibition by 100 top Japanese brands will begin on Tuesday.

“But this conference is not only about the immediate economic benefits or its ability to strengthen existing bilateral relations with Japan,” said Devolution and Planning Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri.

“Ticad VI will create confidence about our ability to host major international events,” he added.