Kenya has secured the rights to host the World Geothermal Congress (WGC) 2029, becoming the first African country to host the global event in a major boost for the country’s growing reputation as a renewable energy powerhouse.
The announcement was made in Calgary, Canada, at the close of the 2026 World Geothermal Congress, where Kenya officially received the hosting rights after a competitive international bidding process.
The win places Nairobi at the centre of global conversations on clean energy, climate action and sustainable development, while reinforcing Kenya’s position as Africa’s leading geothermal energy producer.
Speaking during the handover ceremony, Energy Principal Secretary Alex Wachira described the achievement as a milestone not only for Kenya but for the entire continent.
“Today marks more than the transfer of hosting rights. It is a historic milestone for Africa and a strong affirmation of the continent’s growing contribution to the global clean energy transition,” he said.
Kenya currently boasts more than 1,000 megawatts of installed geothermal capacity, making it the largest geothermal producer in Africa and one of the leading producers globally.
Most of the power is generated from the Olkaria geothermal fields in Naivasha, which have played a key role in supporting Kenya’s transition towards renewable energy.
According to the Ministry of Energy, Kenya’s geothermal potential exceeds 10,000 megawatts, while Africa is estimated to have more than 15,000 megawatts of untapped geothermal resources.
The government is targeting an increase in installed geothermal capacity to about 1,700 megawatts by 2030 and 3,000 megawatts by 2043 as part of efforts to strengthen energy security, lower electricity costs and support industrial growth.
Beyond power generation, geothermal energy is increasingly being used in agriculture, manufacturing and value addition, with policymakers viewing it as a key pillar of Kenya’s long-term economic transformation agenda.
Hosting the congress is also expected to deliver significant economic benefits through tourism, foreign investment, business partnerships and increased international visibility.
The World Geothermal Congress, held every three years under the International Geothermal Association, brings together governments, investors, scientists, energy companies and development partners from across the world to shape the future of geothermal development.
For Kenya, the successful bid is more than an international conference. It is a recognition of decades of investment in renewable energy and a signal that Africa is increasingly becoming part of the global conversation on the future of clean energy.