Kenya has been selected to host the 2026 World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting, which will take place from April 27–29, 2026, at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.
The meeting will run under the theme “Reimagining Africa’s Health Systems: Innovation, Integration, and Interdependence” and is expected to bring together more than 2,000 global health leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators. The gathering will place Africa at the center of the global health dialogue, while spotlighting solutions led from within the continent.
The summit will highlight the importance of building resilient health systems through innovation and partnerships, focusing on Universal Health Coverage (UHC), equitable access to healthcare, and strategies to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It will also provide a platform for Africa to showcase its progress in research, education, and health service delivery.
Kenya’s role as host underscores the country’s rising reputation as a Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) destination. The event is expected to inject an estimated Ksh 3.8 billion into the local economy through the multiplier effect of conference tourism, boosting sectors such as hospitality, transport, and related services. The summit aligns with Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which emphasizes tourism and knowledge exchange as drivers of economic growth.
The program will feature plenary sessions, high-level policy dialogues, and collaborative workshops designed to produce actionable recommendations for strengthening Africa’s health priorities. Delegates will include African Health Ministers, representatives from the Africa CDC, World Health Organization, UNICEF, the African Union, civil society organizations, academia, and the private sector.
Kenya will become the 13th country to host the WHS Regional Meeting, joining a global list that includes Singapore, Brazil, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Portugal, Iran, Uganda, Italy, the United States, Australia, and India. Each regional meeting contributes insights to the annual World Health Summit in Berlin, reinforcing the interconnected nature of global health challenges and solutions.
By convening leading experts and decision-makers, the Nairobi meeting is expected to catalyze new partnerships and policy innovations that will directly inform Africa’s journey toward stronger, more inclusive health systems. The event marks a significant milestone for Kenya and for the continent as a whole, strengthening Africa’s role in shaping the future of global health.
