MICE: Niger transforms Niamey into an events hub

In the shadow of Viennese coronation at the CICA rankingsand while everyone was on the lookout for this atlas of the MICE post-Covid, the news went relatively unnoticed. But it is indicative of the rise of an ambitious destination, a newcomer with every intention of carving out a place for itself in the sun of major international events. Because the Niger and its capital Niamey have made their first appearance in the international rankings. And the authorities can already be satisfied with a regional ranking (7th) that is all the more honourable given that Niger only joined the CICA in the second half of 2021. Ahead of destinations such as Nairobi, Durban and Tunis. This is a first for a country which, ten years ago, would hardly have imagined such recognition.

It all starts in 2015. Niamey then applied to host the conference of heads of state and government of theAfrican Union 2019. A major event, which at the time might have seemed disproportionate given the infrastructure of the Nigerian capital. This challenge will be the driving force behind an XXL development plan, which will lead to some particularly strategic inaugurations in the space of a few months. Starting with the opening in summer 2019 of a new gateway, theinternational airport Diori Hamani, coupled with a new expressway facilitating access to and from the capital's city centre.

Another new feature, and not the least important: the Mahatma Gandhi Conference Centre. The programme includes a 2100-seat plenary hall, a multi-purpose banqueting hall (800 seats), another "huis clos" (350 seats), a press room (100 seats), plus presidential and ministerial lounges.
The new spot MICE complements the capabilities of the Palais des congrès already in existence, and completely renovated. On the eve of its fortieth anniversary, the facility has been given a facelift, with a large conference room seating a thousand, six translation booths, four committee rooms and a 425-seat closed-door room.

At the same time hotel scene has also entered a new dimension. The group has Radisson has thus confirmed its leading role on the African continent by inaugurating a new 189-key address in spring 2019. The Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center Niamey also adds 2,800 m² of meetings & events space with eight meeting rooms and two conference rooms. Other newcomers to a hotel scene sorely lacking in top-of-the-range addresses: the Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center Niamey in Niamey and the Radisson Blu Hotel & Conference Center Niamey in Niamey. Bravia (197 rooms, 7 meeting rooms), and the Noom (141 rooms, 6 suites, 4 meeting rooms and a 470 m² multi-purpose area).

A new 5,000-seat multi-purpose hall

So many inaugurations concentrated over a few weeks - a few months at most - and which undeniably changed the dimension of the capital of Niger. As a result, the conference of heads of state and government of the African Union was a success, and Niamey seemed well equipped to host regional events. But far from marking the culmination of Niger's ambitions, 2019 will open a promising new chapter. Having won this race against time, the country is now embarking on a marathon to establish itself firmly in the MICE hierarchy. And it is setting up a state organisation dedicated to this objective, to implement an ambitious and well thought-out multi-sector strategy: theNational Agency for Conference Economics (ANEC). The timing of the health crisis could have nipped this budding ambition in the bud. But it was not to be. During this interlude, Niger was admitted as an ICCA member. And ANEC is preparing for the future with - yet more - massive projects. The authorities have just approved the construction of a new 5,000-seat multi-purpose hall. At the same time, hotel projects continue to flourish. And lobbying by ANEC members in Europe and China is bearing fruit. At a "Round Table on Trade and Investment in Niger" organised in London, the President of Niger congratulated himself: " We sense that British investors are genuinely interested in our country. And you're right: Niger offers real opportunities. ". The Head of State went on to list some of the country's assets: "a huge underground water reserve, making 20 million hectares arable for agro-industrial projects; a large herd of livestock, yet to be industrialised; gold and gas, little exploited to date; large quantities of uranium, which, whatever people say, remains the world's future energy source; oil, insufficiently explored; cement, phosphates, etc."Niger's resources will also benefit from another major project: the inauguration of an oil pipeline to the port of Sèmè Kraké, in the north of the country. Benin. "From the end of this year, our pipeline will get underwaysays Mohamed Saidil Moctar, Managing Director of Niger's National Conference Economy Agency.

The will is therefore political, the investment private. And by the end of 2022, the spin-offs will amount to more than 44 million euros (29 billion CFA francs), thanks to the organisation of 113 events bringing together some 28,000 participants according to ANEC. "Niger is attracting major international events on very important subjects"As Hans Fraeters, the World Bank's representative in Niger, confirmed at the first ANEC Night in May. So it's a safe bet that the next ICCA ranking will be eagerly awaited in Niamey.