Tanzania Launches Landmark MKICC Project in Arusha to Redefine MICE Tourism in East Africa

(3 Minutes read)

Tanzania has announced an ambitious new infrastructure initiative in Arusha—the Mount Kilimanjaro International Conference Centre (MKICC)—as part of a national drive to become East Africa’s leading hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) tourism. Slated for completion in 2027, MKICC is poised to be the largest integrated conference and hospitality complex in East and Central Africa.

With an investment exceeding USD 152 million, fully sourced from domestic funding, the project marks a strategic partnership between the state-owned Arusha International Conference Centre (AICC) and the Public Service Social Security Fund (PSSSF), Tanzania’s main public pension fund. This initiative aims to fill the capacity gap currently limiting Tanzania’s ability to host major international events.

The MKICC will feature a 5,000-seat auditorium, a luxury 500-room five-star hotel with 10 presidential suites, and a 20,000-square-metre commercial complex. Additional amenities include a helipad and parking for 2,000 vehicles, all situated on 10 hectares of previously unused land in Arusha, offering sweeping views of Mount Meru and, on clear days, Mount Kilimanjaro.

Blonski Architects, a British firm selected through a competitive bid, has designed the complex with inspiration drawn from the baobab tree—Africa’s iconic “Tree of Life”—symbolising community gathering and resilience. This concept reinforces the centre’s vision as a platform for global dialogue and engagement.

The MKICC arrives at a pivotal moment as global business tourism rebounds post-pandemic. Uniquely, it stands out as the region’s only large-scale MICE facility entirely funded by local capital, reflecting Tanzania’s move toward economic self-sufficiency and strategic national development.

Arusha, already a diplomatic and tourism hub, is expected to gain significantly from the project through job creation, strengthened hospitality infrastructure, and increased international visibility. The centre has already secured its first major event: the Apimondia International Bee and Honey Conference, which is anticipated to attract thousands of global participants.

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Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation Minister Mahmoud Thabit Kombo emphasised the critical need for such a facility, citing a recent incident where the country had to turn away over 1,500 delegates due to a lack of space. “Tanzania has immense potential, but our current venues are insufficient,” he stated.

MKICC not only aligns with Tanzania’s broader economic goals but also repositions Arusha as a premier destination for international conventions, symbolising a bold step forward in regional conference tourism leadership.