Africa Events Summit is officially happening on September 10-11, 2026 at Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi. The excitement is palpable, with industry leaders like NGC and MBU.Ug already buzzing about the event.

AES is where East Africa’s events industry, planners, producers, venues, suppliers, brands, and global manufacturers, comes together in one room, rather than staying scattered across separate client conferences and word-of-mouth referrals. Since its Pre-Summit launch in Nairobi, which drew over 200 applications for just 70 seats, the gathering has grown quickly into a fixture the region’s events sector points to as its own.

What Is Africa Events Summit?

Africa Events Summit is the only platform that brings together the entire East African events ecosystem. It’s a rare opportunity for industry professionals to connect across borders, set shared standards, and shape the future direction of the sector.

Partner as a Sponsor | Exhibit at AES

AES is built specifically for the people who plan, produce, and supply events across East Africa, rather than for a single client industry. It organises attendees into four key groups:

1. Demand and commercial stakeholders
2. Experience and creative professionals
3. Delivery and infrastructure providers
4. Global manufacturers and systems companies

The summit is organised by Billion Events East Africa, building on the momentum of the highly successful AES Pre-Summit held earlier in Nairobi.

Why Africa Events Summit Keeps Growing

The demand for AES has been clear from the start. The Pre-Summit in Nairobi drew over 200 applications for just 70 invited seats, with attendees raving about the honest, forward-thinking conversations.

AES closes gaps that have existed for years:

• Nairobi planners knowing Kampala or Kigali counterparts only by reputation
• Suppliers competing for the same brands without comparing standards
• Global manufacturers entering the region without a clear door in

A shared platform turns those separate gaps into one connected industry poised for growth.

Who Attends Africa Events Summit?

• Event planners, producers, and agencies
• Venue and hospitality teams
• AV, staging, lighting, decor, and production suppliers
• Corporate brands, marketing leaders, and promoters
• Tourism boards, regulators, and industry associations
• Global manufacturers of staging, seating, tents, and event technology

See Who’s Already Registered

What Africa Events Summit Covers

The expanded 2026 program runs across two full days:

• Panel discussions on the state of the industry
• Masterclasses on standardisation and scaling
• Breakout streams for commercial, creative, and delivery professionals
• Exhibition floor connecting suppliers with curated regional buyers
• Gala dinner for more relaxed networking

View the Full Program

How Africa Events Summit Fits Into the Region’s Events Industry

AES functions as the periodic gathering where the wider industry, including association members, brands, suppliers, and manufacturers, meets in person to set shared direction. It does not replace existing structures like the Event Managers Association of Kenya, which provides ongoing professional infrastructure, certification, and advocacy for practitioners.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Where does Africa Events Summit take place?
  The 2026 edition runs September 10-11 at Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi. Reserve Your Seat Now
• Is Africa Events Summit only for Kenyan companies?
  No. It draws planners, suppliers, and sponsors from Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Tanzania.
• Does Africa Events Summit include an exhibition?
  Yes, exhibitors get access to an estimated 150 to 300 curated regional buyers across the two-day summit. Become an Exhibitor
• Who organises Africa Events Summit?
  Billion Events East Africa organises the summit, building on the momentum of the highly successful AES Pre-Summit held earlier in Nairobi.

For regional context on tourism sector engagement, see the Kenya Tourism Board and the African Tourism Board.