The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) has unveiled a new meetings and conference wing at Ulwazi Place in Nairobi, in a move aimed at tapping into Kenya’s growing business tourism and conference market.

Located in the upscale suburb of Kitisuru and managed by Trianum Hospitality, the expanded facility significantly boosts Ulwazi Place’s ability to host international conferences, institutional meetings and professional gatherings as Kenya intensifies efforts to strengthen its position as a regional Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) destination.

The upgraded facility can now host more than 1,000 guests across multiple hospitality and meeting spaces, including a ballroom, rooftop event venue, conference rooms, boardrooms, accommodation units, restaurant facilities and outdoor event spaces.

The expansion comes amid renewed momentum in Kenya’s tourism industry. According to the Economic Survey 2026, the country registered 2.5 million tourist arrivals in 2025, with business travel accounting for nearly a quarter of the arrivals.

Speaking during the launch, Prof. Shaukat Abdulrazak, Principal Secretary in Kenya’s State Department for Science, Research and Innovation, said the facility would serve as a platform for innovation, policy engagement and African-led solutions.

“Ulwazi Place is therefore not simply a physical structure; it is a platform for ideas. It is a meeting point for scholars, innovators, policymakers, and young leaders. It is a space where research will inform action, where collaboration will inspire innovation, and where African solutions will emerge to address African challenges,” he said.

Trianum Hospitality, which manages the property, said the project reflects the growing demand for integrated conference and hospitality facilities in Nairobi, particularly near diplomatic and international organisations.

Mutheu Muna-Mwaniki, Director-Compliance at Trianum Hospitality, said Ulwazi Place had evolved from a modest meeting venue into a major conference destination.

“The Ulwazi Place was originally established by APHRC and has transitioned from a small meeting site that could accommodate about 60 pax to a major international conference hub capable of hosting 1,000+ guests. The facility distinguishes itself through specialized collaboration spaces designed to foster scientific innovation and research within a peaceful, landscaped environment,” she said.

The facility’s design incorporates African-inspired themes under the concept Tembea Africa, Swahili for “Travel across Africa,” with interiors reflecting the continent’s savanna, desert, tropical and coastal landscapes.

APHRC officials said the expansion would also strengthen the institution’s ability to convene researchers, policymakers and development partners on-site, reducing reliance on external accommodation and conference venues.

“The APHRC convening facility, Ulwazi Place is a place of knowledge; serving as a hub for global stakeholders to address African development. The strategic expansion of the hotel will now enable us to have more convenings here and to shape the agenda for development in Africa directly from this facility,” said Dr. Joseph Gichuru, Deputy Executive Director at APHRC.

The launch aligns with Kenya’s wider tourism strategy dubbed Experience Wonder, which targets 5.5 million international arrivals annually by 2027 through investments in conference tourism, sports tourism, wellness travel and digital nomad infrastructure.

Liza Uku, Chief Executive Officer of Trianum Hospitality, said the facility’s location near the United Nations offices and diplomatic missions gives it a strategic advantage within Nairobi’s premium hospitality market.

“We are excited to be launching the new wing of Ulwazi Place, which is located at one of the upmarket suburbs in Nairobi, with proximity to the United Nations and other diplomatic organisations. Trianum Hospitality management leverages operational efficiency by enhancing the value of the properties we manage,” she said.