Kenya edges closer to hosting World Geothermal Congress 2029 after global shortlist
As part of the evaluation process, Kenya is currently hosting an IGA delegation assessing the country’s readiness and capacity to hold the event.
Kenya has been shortlisted, alongside Germany, to host the World Geothermal Congress (WGC) 2029, emerging from a pool of eight countries that submitted bids earlier this year. Other contenders included Ethiopia, New Zealand, Belgium, Turkey, Romania, and Austria.
The bid, jointly submitted by the Geothermal Association of Kenya (GAK) and the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, underscores Kenya’s leadership in geothermal development across Africa. On 4 June 2025, the International Geothermal Association (IGA) confirmed receipt of bids from all eight nations, and by July 2025, Kenya and Germany were officially shortlisted as the final contenders.
As part of the evaluation process, Kenya is currently hosting an IGA delegation assessing the country’s readiness and capacity to hold the event. The team will inspect proposed venues, including the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) for plenary sessions and the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) for side events. Their visit also includes stakeholder consultations and technical assessments of Kenya’s conference infrastructure and logistics.
Speaking during a stakeholders’ meeting, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi emphasised Kenya’s strong track record in renewable energy and its pivotal role in Africa’s clean energy transition.
Sustainable economic growth
“Kenya has demonstrated that geothermal energy can power not just homes, but sustainable economic growth,” said Wandayi. “Hosting the World Geothermal Congress in Nairobi would be both a continental and global recognition of Africa’s leadership in renewable energy.”
The State Department for Foreign Affairs, through its Directorate of International Conferences and Events (DICE) led by Ambassador Kwanya, joined a multi-sectoral government team in hosting the IGA delegation.
Hosting the congress would not only recognise Kenya’s achievements in renewable energy but also strengthen Nairobi’s status as a leading hub for global conferences and clean energy investment.
With a legacy spanning more than three decades, the World Geothermal Congress remains the premier global platform for advancing geothermal development. It brings together leaders from academia, industry, government, and civil society to exchange ideas and solutions for a sustainable future. The next edition, WGC2026, will be hosted in Calgary, Canada.
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