Tanzania has unveiled plans for a transformative infrastructure project in Arusha, aimed at establishing the country as a premier destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism in East Africa. The Mount Kilimanjaro International Conference Centre (MKICC), a visionary development designed to rival regional counterparts, is set to become the largest integrated conference and hospitality facility in East and Central Africa upon completion in 2027.
Located in the northern city of Arusha, the MKICC will be constructed at a projected cost exceeding US$152 million, entirely funded through domestic investment. The project is a strategic partnership between the Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC), a state-owned entity renowned for accommodating up to 1,300 delegates, and the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF), Tanzania’s principal government retirement fund. The development marks a significant leap in Tanzania’s ambition to become a hub for international events, with the capacity to host large-scale conventions that currently overwhelm the nation’s existing facilities.
The centrepiece of the MKICC is a 5,000-seat auditorium, complemented by a five-star hotel comprising 500 rooms and 10 presidential suites. In addition, the complex will feature a 20,000-square-metre commercial precinct, parking facilities for 2,000 vehicles, and a helipad. The expansive project will span 10 hectares of currently unused land in Arusha, offering panoramic vistas of Mount Meru and, on clear days, the iconic Mount Kilimanjaro.
British architectural firm Blonski Architects was awarded the design contract through a competitive bidding process. The firm’s architectural vision draws inspiration from the baobab tree—referred to as the “Tree of Life”—a symbolic gathering point in many African communities due to the expansive shade it offers. This emblematic design reinforces the centre’s function as a unifying space for global dialogue and engagement.
Set against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving global MICE sector, Tanzania’s MKICC is poised to capitalise on the post-pandemic resurgence in business tourism. The investment represents a strategic shift towards self-reliance, with all funding derived from Tanzanian sources rather than foreign capital injection. The facility has already secured its first major engagement: the Apimondia International Bee and Honey Conference, a global event expected to draw thousands of delegates.
During the announcement, Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Mahmoud Thabit Kombo, underscored the urgency of such infrastructure, citing a recent example where the country had to turn away over 1,500 international delegates due to venue limitations. “Tanzania has immense potential for hosting international conferences, but we currently lack adequate venues. Recently, we had to turn away over 1,500 delegates after exceeding capacity at an event with 5,000 attendees,” he noted.
Arusha, already regarded as a diplomatic and tourism centre due to its proximity to national parks and its role as host to the East African Court of Justice and the African Union’s regional offices, is expected to benefit significantly from the centre’s development. The MKICC will not only elevate Tanzania’s visibility on the global stage but is also projected to stimulate local economic activity through job creation, enhanced hospitality infrastructure, and international trade.
This bold infrastructural initiative reinforces Tanzania’s broader economic vision and repositions Arusha as a competitive player in global conference tourism. As the only East African MICE project of its scale entirely financed domestically, MKICC represents a milestone in both architectural ambition and national investment strategy.
Explore the design firm, Blonski Architects
Details on Apimondia International Conference
Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF)
