President William Ruto has outlined a major infrastructure and diplomatic expansion plan for Nairobi during engagements held on the sidelines of the Forward Africa Summit, which has drawn more than 30 heads of state alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The Forward Africa Summit, hosted in Nairobi, has brought together African leaders and international partners to deepen cooperation on development, investment, climate action and governance, with a strong emphasis on Africa’s role in shaping global decision-making.
Ruto speaks on UN office expansion in Gigiri, Nairobi
In a statement, Ruto said the modernisation and expansion of the United Nations Office at Nairobi represents a strong commitment to inclusivity, geographical balance and the universality of the UN system.
He added that Kenya is complementing the upgrade of the UN campus with a $1.1 billion investment package aimed at transforming Nairobi’s urban infrastructure. The plan covers key areas including roads, street lighting, regeneration of the Nairobi Rivers, ICT systems security and the operationalisation of a UN One-Stop Shop.
According to Ruto, the investment reinforces Nairobi’s position as the United Nations headquarters in the Global South, while also strengthening its status as a major centre for international diplomacy and multilateral cooperation.
“Nairobi’s role as a global diplomatic hub is being strengthened through strategic investment in infrastructure and international partnerships,” he said.
The government has also announced the modernisation of the Bomas Convention Complex, a move aimed at enhancing Kenya’s capacity to host major international conferences and high-level summits.
During the engagements, President Ruto broke ground for the construction of the expanded United Nations Office at Nairobi Assembly Hall in Gigiri and also inaugurated a new UN office block. The events were held in the presence of Secretary-General António Guterres.
The developments form part of Kenya’s broader ambition to position Nairobi as a leading global city for diplomacy, conferencing and multilateral engagement, particularly as Africa seeks greater influence in global governance structures.