The year of 2023 has once again proven that Rwanda continues to be a tourist destination, based on hosting various international conferences and events that bring together people from different parts of the world.
Hobe Australia has prepared a report for you on the five international conferences held in Kigali, Rwanda, in 2023, which will continue to emphasize that Rwanda, especially Kigali city, is the chosen place to host these conferences.
1. 73rd FIFA Congress in Kigali
From March 13th to 17th, the FIFA General Assembly took place in Kigali, Rwanda.
It was a meeting that brought together people from more than 208 countries, who are members of FIFA.
Rwanda made history as the first country in Africa to host the FIFA Congress, which led to Gianni Infantino being elected as the head of the International Football Federation.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Sports, Niyonkuru Zephanie, revealed that hosting this FIFA meeting brought Rwanda more than 10 billion Frw in participants’ payments.
2. Women Deliver Conference
From July 17th to 20th, Rwanda hosted the Women Deliver Conference for the sixth time, but it was the first time it was held in any African country.
This conference brought together people from different categories from all over the world to discuss the challenges that women face and find practical solutions to help women not be marginalized and build a society without inequality.
As one of the world’s largest multi-stakeholder conferences, it was attended by around 6,000 people at the BK Arena and over 200,000 people online.
3. The Africa Smart Cities Investment Summit
From September 6th to 8th, an international conference on the development of technology-intensive and environmentally-friendly cities, called The African Smart Cities Investment Summit, was held in Rwanda.
This meeting was attended by people from different African countries, bringing together leaders in decision-making bodies, technologists, various investors, and city leaders, among others.
4. World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) 2023 in Kigali
From November 1st to 3rd, the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) held its 23rd annual meeting for the first time in Africa at the Kigali Convention Center.
The meeting was officially launched on November 2nd, 2023, and was attended by senior officials including President Paul Kagame, his Tanzanian counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan, the Vice President of Burundi, Prosper Bazombanza, and other government officials.
This three-day conference was attended by more than 1,000 people from 45 different countries, including those working in the fields of tourism, conservation, private sector, and others who want to learn about the future of the tourism sector and how it can be done in the best way.
The WTTC’s annual meeting brings together leaders from various governments and the world’s largest transportation, business, and tourism industries.
Its aim is to unite those in this sector to make tourism more stable, secure, and sustainable in the future.
5. Inauguration of the BioNtech vaccine manufacturing plant
On December 18th, a ceremony was held at the Masoro Economic Zone in Kigali city to officially bring home the first part of the BioNtech plant, which will produce vaccines for diseases, including malaria and COVID-19.
The ceremony was attended by President Kagame, First Lady Jeannette Kagame, and other dignitaries, including the President of Senegal, Macky Sall; The President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo; The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen; and the Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley. The President of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, and other dignitaries were also present.
In Kigali, there were other major events in 2023, including the Giants of Africa and Move Africa festivals, which brought together international giants in entertainment and music.