Rwanda has received an international award celebrating its impressive infrastructure that supports major global conferences and events. The recognition was given in London during the Africa Tourism Awards, also known as the Balearica Awards. These awards highlight excellence and growth in tourism across the African continent.
Rwanda has steadily positioned itself as a leader in MICE tourism—Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions, thanks to modern facilities, high-quality hotels, and a strong commitment to providing smooth and world‑class hospitality services.
The purpose of the Africa Tourism Awards is to showcase the uniqueness and cultural richness of the continent while encouraging more tourists to visit Africa. Recent tourism statistics indicate that Africa still receives only about 9% of global tourists and earns around 7% of global tourism revenue. This shows that there is room for more investment, promotion, and innovation in the sector.
In 2023 alone, Rwanda hosted around 160 international conferences and events, welcoming more than 65,000 participants from around the world. These events brought in about 95 million U.S. dollars (approximately 138 billion Rwandan francs), marking a 48% increase from the previous year. This growth highlights the country’s ongoing investment and dedication to making Rwanda a leading hub for international gatherings.
This award is not only a recognition of Rwanda’s achievements but also an encouragement to continue strengthening its place as one of Africa’s most welcoming and well‑prepared nations for global events.
