In today’s read;
- Emirates celebrates 30 years of linking Nairobi to 145+ destinations
- Nigeria’s transport summit sets sights on MICE infrastructure
- High visa fees block Nigeria’s tourism and business travel growth
Emirates Connects Nairobi MICE: 145 Global, East Africa Regional Access
Emirates recently marked three decades of connecting Nairobi to the world.
This milestone underscores a consistent commitment to Kenya, foundational for our MICE ambitions.
Since 1995, over 6.6 million passengers have travelled on 34,250 flights between Dubai and Nairobi.
The airline’s double daily Boeing 777 service links Nairobi to over 145 countries.
This extensive network provides unparalleled access for delegates and event organizers globally.
It solidifies Nairobi’s position as a vital gateway for international meetings and conferences.
The longevity of this service speaks volumes about the city’s enduring appeal for business and tourism.
A strategic partnership with Kenya Airways further enhances regional MICE potential.
This interline agreement offers seamless, single-ticket itineraries to popular East African destinations.
It allows for easier access to Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania, Mozambique, and Burundi from Nairobi.
Such connectivity supports extended MICE itineraries, including pre and post-event tours.
Inbound traffic for Nairobi originates significantly from Asia, Australasia, and the US.
Outbound MICE travelers from Kenya often head to major cities like Shanghai, New York, and Sydney.
Emirates’ Country Manager for Kenya, Christophe Leloup, confirms Nairobi’s consistent importance for corporate travelers.
For the discerning MICE attendee, Emirates offers a premium travel experience.
It is the only airline serving Kenya with private, enclosed First Class cabins.
Generous baggage allowances are provided across all classes, an important consideration for business travel.
Passengers enjoy regionally inspired menus and over 6,500 entertainment channels, including Kenyan content.
Nairobi is now home to Africa’s first Emirates World travel store, opened in 2024.
This store, located in The Cube, offers expert advice and an elevated airline experience for event planners and delegates.
The deep economic ties between Kenya and the UAE reinforce this strong partnership.
A recently signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement further solidifies these relations.
Emirates’ operations also support local employment, with 50 staff in Nairobi and over 1,100 Kenyans globally.
The airline’s freight division, Emirates SkyCargo, plays a crucial role in trade, moving significant cargo like fresh cut flowers.
This long-standing presence and investment reflect a stable and supportive environment for MICE growth.
Emirates’ three decades in Kenya is a testament to Africa’s growing influence on the global stage for business events.
Nigeria’s 91% Trade Surge Drives MICE Transport Plan
Mrs. Pearl Ngwama, the organizer behind the 2025 Transport Summit, recently spoke on the critical need for an integrated transport masterplan in Nigeria.
Her message, delivered at the Lagos summit themed ‘Nigeria’s Transport Infrastructure: Innovation for a Sustainable Future’, highlighted a foundational truth.
Advanced nations depend on strong, connected multimodal transport systems.
These systems, encompassing road, rail, air, and sea, are not mere conveniences.
They are essential arteries that facilitate trade, enhance productivity, lower operational costs, and foster innovation across all sectors.
Nigeria, with its unique geographical position and diverse economy, holds significant promise.
It can develop seamless logistics chains, directly linking farms to factories and ports to airports.
Ngwama pointed to the nation’s economic vitality, noting the maritime trade reached N130.75 trillion in 2024.
This figure represents a substantial expansion from the previous year.
The aviation sector also contributed N215.6 billion to the GDP, alongside considerable growth in rail passenger and freight movement.
These figures underscore the active economic landscape, poised for further development with the right infrastructure.
Transport infrastructure, as Ngwama aptly put it, is the very bloodstream of an economy.
It is the life force allowing other sectors, including the meetings and events industry, to flourish.
She urged a concerted effort, calling for robust collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
The focus must shift from temporary fixes to executing systems built for endurance and adaptability to evolving technologies.
Under the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda, there is optimism for Nigeria to craft transformative transport solutions.
These solutions would strengthen trade and connectivity, not just domestically, but across West and Central Africa.
Ngwama also drew a direct link between inadequate infrastructure and the “Japa syndrome,” the trend of youth migration.
She believes Nigeria’s vast human potential cannot be fully realized without robust infrastructure.
Such infrastructure is key to connecting people, markets, and diverse industries.
Sustainable transport innovation creates adaptive systems that genuinely enhance productivity.
It also generates local opportunities, encouraging talent to remain and thrive within Nigeria.
This is a critical consideration for any nation aiming for comprehensive development and a vibrant MICE landscape.
Nigeria’s $2,000 Visa Blocks Billions in MICE Revenue
Nigeria faces a significant hurdle in attracting international business and leisure travelers.
Its current visa regulations are costing the nation billions in potential MICE and tourism revenue each year.
A recent investigation highlights how these restrictive entry procedures are actively deterring visitors.
This situation is stifling a promising economic sector with immense potential for the country.
The financial burden of a Nigerian visa stands out on the continent.
A work visa for foreign employees can reportedly cost $2,000 annually.
This figure far exceeds fees charged by other African nations.
South Africa charges $777, Ghana $1,000, and Rwanda offers a two-year permit for about $124.
Such high costs, coupled with stringent processing, act as a significant disincentive for foreign investment and participation in events.
Experts consistently point to tourism’s vast untapped potential for Nigeria.
Forecasts suggest it could contribute $5 billion to the economy within five years.
By 2032, it could add nearly N12.3 trillion to the GDP.
Despite federal government efforts to promote tourism, its own agencies often inadvertently create barriers.
Bankole Bernard, Group Managing Director of Finchglow Holdings, stresses the critical need for Nigeria to be “tourism ready.”
He advocates for relaxed visa rules, drawing parallels with Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda, who have seen increased tourist numbers after removing similar obstacles.
Travel expert Ikechi Uko acknowledges some improvements in the online visa process.
Yet, he notes persistent “hiccups,” such as issues for Caribbean visitors to Calabar and a lack of visa stickers at embassies.
Uko suggests Nigeria actively negotiate for visa-free policies with other countries, mirroring the successes of its neighbours.
He also proposes a system to address misbehavior by Nigerians overseas, to safeguard the nation’s reputation.
While Lagos recently recorded impressive earnings of over $71.6 million from its ‘Detty December’ festivities, this glimpse of potential underscores the much larger revenues being foregone nationally.
The opportunity to unlock greater MICE and tourism wealth remains contingent on a more welcoming entry policy.
That’s it for today, thank you for reading.