All roads lead to the Western Regions City of Kisumu for the 9th Edition of the Africities Summit

Kisumu, Kenya’s third-largest city, will host the 9th Edition of the Africities Summit from 17th to 21st May 2022. This is a historic feat because Kisumu will be the first intermediary City to host this important Pan-African event that is expected to attract more than 8,000 delegates to the lakeside city.

A breakfast briefing to Ambassadors on the 9th Africities readiness was held at The Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi. H.E Prof. Peter Anyang Nyong’o’s in his address to the delegates empathised that great progress has been made in the preparation for the upcoming summit and that Kisumu was accorded the rare privilege and honor of hosting the Africities Summit, the first intermediary city to ever host the Summit. The theme of this year’s edition, “The role of intermediary cities in Africa in the implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and of the African Union´s Agenda 2063”, ties in very well with the status of Kisumu as one such intermediary city.

“The role of intermediary cities as the next frontier of African urbanization cannot be overstated. As you might be aware, more than half of Africa’s anticipated population of 1.2 billion by 2050 is expected to live in cities and intermediary cities will play a big role in hosting these huge populations”.

“There is need hence, to plan accordingly to create smart cities that meet future urbanization challenges and that are able to address emerging needs such as food, security, health, shelter, environmental conservation and infrastructure”.

The 9th Africities Summit presents a golden opportunity to showcase what devolution has achieved for Kenya. Kisumu is indeed privileged to be a case study for participants of the Summit to study firsthand the impact of devolution on our socio-economic and political development as a country”.

“Preparations for the Summit began in earnest in 2008 when Kenya was selected during the 8th Africities Summit in Marrakech, Morocco to host this year’s Summit. This as you may recall is the second time that Kenya is hosting the Africities Summit having hosted the 2006 edition that was held in Nairobi”.

“As Kisumu County government, we’ve worked very closely with the national government and the Council of Governors to ensure that we beat the very tight deadline of preparing Kisumu as host of the 2022 event”.

“We have worked hand in hand with the national government to upgrade the road, rail, air and even port infrastructure in and around Kisumu and the larger Western Kenya in readiness for the Summit. We are more than ready to host the world at this event”.

 

He further indicated that the private sector had been mobilized to invest in the service and hospitality industry and that he was proud to announce that Kisumu now has world-class hospitality facilities that will come in handy as the city continues to establish itself as a regional centre for trade, tourism, cultural and sporting activity.

The Africities Summit will have a huge economic impact on the lake region basin and he invited residents of Western Kenya, including the outlying regions, to take advantage of the Summit to trade and make contacts with the visitors.

This summit will be a high profile event that will be attended by equally high profile delegates who include Heads of State and government, cabinet ministers, diplomats, civil society as well as representatives of local governments from across Africa.

“It is imperative therefore that we accord the Summit the highest level of attention since it will help market Kenya to the rest of the world”.

He took the opportunity on behalf of Kisumu County and the Council of Governors to thank His Excellency the President of the Republic of Kenya Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta for the keen interest he had shown in the Summit and the immense support he extended to help organize it.

The Kenya government had spared no expense to ensure Kisumu is well prepared as a host and he personally thanked the respective government Ministries starting with the Ministry of Devolution headed by, Hon. Eugene Wamalwa, for tirelessly working hand in hand with his county to actualize this dream.

 

The A-Z about the 9th Africities Summit in Kisumu, Kenya.

 

What is Africities?

The Africities is the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa’s (UCLGA) flagship pan-African event that is held every three years in one of the five regions of Africa. Kisumu is the first intermediary city to host the summit. Kenya last hosted this event in 2006, in Nairobi.

Where is the venue?

The Summit will be held at the Mamboleo ASK show grounds in the outskirts of the city, approximately 7 kilometers from the city center.

What is the theme of the summit?

The 9th Africities Summit will be held under the theme: “The role of African intermediary cities in the implementation of the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063”. Scholars, political leaders, and policymakers have prepared volumes of presentations to capture this theme.

How does one register for the summit?

Registration for the summit is only online and is ongoing at https://africities.org/registration/ .
There is online support available for you on the registration page in case you need further assistance.

How can one participate as an exhibitor during the summit?

To register as an exhibitor, visit www.africities.org and under registration, select exhibitor. Provide required details.

Does one need a vaccination certificate to attend the Summit?

A vaccination certificate is not required to attend the event but a negative PCR test needs to be provided.

I’m a journalist looking to be accredited for the Summit. How do I go about it?

To register visit www.africities.org and under registration, select media accreditation.

I would like to register my home for consideration for summit guests’ accommodation. How can I do it?

Registration for homestays is ongoing online on the Kisumu County Government website; Visit www.kisumu.go.ke and scroll down on the homepage on how to register or use the link; https://www.kisumu.go.ke/africities-homestays-registration/

If you have more questions call Gabriel Osendo on 0721 887 514

I am a business owner and would like to sell my wares during the summit. How do I register for this?

There will be two business bazaars; one right outside the conference venue and another in the CBD at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Ground where a cultural village will be established for the duration of the Summit. To register for either bazaar CLICK HERE  or call Bovince Ochieng’ on 0723106411 OR bovinceo@gmail.com

What is the importance of Africities to Kenya as a country, Kisumu County, and the common man?

The Africities summit comes with both short and long term benefits to Kenya. The National and the County governments, especially those in the Lake Region Economic Bloc, will ride on the summit to showcase their investment opportunities.

Kenya will benefit from the Africities Investment Forum, a unique platform for networking and debate between the business community and the political and territorial decision-makers.

There is an anticipated economic boom as Kenya and Kisumu house, feed, transport and entertain the visitors.

SMEs and wananchi selling artefacts and other products at the local markets, and the boda boda riders will have a taste of the cake.

Kisumu has already benefited from the immense infrastructural projects such as the improvement of roads, the construction of the International Convention Center, and the beautification of the City. Kisumu will never be the same.

Join us in Kisumu from 17 th to 21 st May 2022 at the Africities Summit, and be part of this historic meeting where Africa will be defining her new development trajectory for intermediary cities.

For more information, visit the UCLG Africa website:

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