Security has been heightened and hotel bookings are surging in anticipation of this year’s Festac Africa festival, set to begin this weekend in Kisumu. Over 7,000 participants from 50 countries across Africa and beyond have confirmed their attendance for the event, which runs from August 25 to September 1.
The Festac Africa Festival, which first took place in Dakar, Senegal, in 1966, celebrates African heritage and sustainable development, serving as a hub for diverse cultures and industries. The festival aims to honor the continent’s uniqueness, promote intra-African trade, and provide a global networking platform.
Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o announced that the county has implemented comprehensive measures to ensure the event’s success. He confirmed that preparations for conference and meeting venues have been completed and that enhanced security measures are in place to ensure safety for both visitors and locals.
“I want to assure the world that Kisumu is ready to host Festac Africa 2024. The venues are set, security is tight, and Kisumu eagerly awaits the delegates,” Nyong’o stated.
The main venue for the festival will be Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium, where participants are expected to engage in 18 conference sessions. Additional events will include 20 sporting activities, various forms of dance, music, poetry, drama, culinary arts, and tourism. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore key attractions within the Lakeside city and the Lake Region Economic Bloc.
The festival has attracted 200 keynote speakers, 100 performing artists, and 150 exhibitors from across the continent. Nyong’o emphasized that this event represents a significant opportunity for Kisumu to showcase its capabilities, noting that, like the successful Africities Summit in 2022, Festac will leave a lasting impact on the city.
He highlighted the subsequent increase in investments, tourism, and the rise in local and international conferences following the Africities Summit.
The county, initially scheduled to host the event from May 20 to 26, had to postpone it due to flooding. Governor Nyong’o is encouraging Kenyans to attend the festival in large numbers.
“As the chairman of the Lake Region Economic Block, I urge residents and business people from the 14 counties to come and experience this event,” he said.
Festac Africa Chairman Yinka Abioye highlighted that the festival will offer participants from various countries a chance to trade, network, and share cultural values. He noted that the festival will include programs such as theater and movies designed for children to educate them about the continent and foster a sense of pride in their African heritage.
Robinson Anyal, Chairperson of the Lake Victoria Tourism Association, expressed confidence that regional hotels will be fully booked before the event starts. Although bookings are not yet complete, Anyal anticipates a surge as the event approaches.
“Many people tend to book at the last minute, so we expect an increase in reservations closer to the weekend or on the day of the event,” he said. He also mentioned that lower-tier accommodations like BnBs and homestays are currently performing well. With a bed capacity of 10,000 and 7,000 expected guests, he believes they are prepared to accommodate all visitors.
Anyal also noted that hotels have been advised not to raise their rates and may even offer discounts, especially considering the high cost of flights for travelers from other African countries who may need to take multiple connections to reach Kisumu. “We have asked our partners not to increase their rates and, in some cases, to offer discounts to our guests,” he added.
