The decision to admit Kigali into the alliance was announced by the leadership of BestCities Global Alliance, following a comprehensive evaluation of the city's cleanliness, safety, world-class infrastructure, hospitality, and overall capacity to host international delegates.

Kigali has consistently positioned itself as a leading African hub for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE). 

According to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the Rwandan capital has secured the second spot in Africa for six consecutive years as a preferred city for international meetings.

In 2025, Rwanda successfully hosted more than 25 major international conferences, including the International AIDS Conference (IAS 2025) and the Global NCD Alliance Forum, both of which took place in Kigali. 

The city is also scheduled to host the prestigious ICCA Congress in 2027 and the World Congress of Nephrology in 2029.

Julia Swanson, Board Chair of BestCities Global Alliance, highlighted Kigali's rapid development as a premier MICE destination in Africa, noting that the capital aligns seamlessly with the alliance's rigorous standards and core values.

“This city demonstrates the characteristics of today’s leading host cities, including strong capabilities in knowledge and innovation, and a deep understanding of how business events can contribute to socio-economic development,” she said.

Janet Karemera, the Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Convention Bureau (RCB), stated that Kigali's admission into the network reflects Rwanda’s dedication to cementing its footprint in the global MICE industry.

"Kigali has built strong capacity in hosting international meetings and events, supported by world-class infrastructure and the experience demonstrated by hosting major conferences," she said.

Karemera added that the partnership will elevate Rwanda’s global visibility, facilitate knowledge sharing, and further position the capital as a premier event destination.

With this induction, Kigali joins 13 other major global cities within the alliance, including Berlin, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Dublin, Guadalajara, Houston, Madrid, Melbourne, Singapore, Tokyo, Vancouver, and Washington D.C.

Established in 2000 through a partnership between Melbourne, Vancouver, and San Francisco, the BestCities Global Alliance focuses on fostering collaboration, sharing best practices in hosting international congresses, and leveraging business events to catalyze economic and social growth.