The Kenyan capital beat London, Rome and Munich to athletics' biggest event outside the Olympics. It is the latest in a run of decisions by global institutions that have chosen Nairobi over established Western cities.
World Athletics confirmed on Tuesday, September 15th, that Nairobi will stage the 2029 World Athletics Championships - the first ever held on the African continent. The decision was made at a council meeting in Budapest.
President Sebastian Coe called Nairobi's bid compelling and emotional, pointing to the city's role as the economic and cultural hub of East Africa. Kenya's athletics record made the case difficult to refuse: the country produced Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon and David Rudisha, and finished second in the medal table at the last championships in Tokyo. The modernised Moi International Sports Centre at Kasarani is expected to host.
Kenya is East Africa's largest economy and among Africa's five biggest by GDP. Growth reached 5.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, the strongest quarter in over a year, with construction up 6.6% and accommodation and food services up 14.7% on rising international arrivals.
What it means for the city
Organisers estimate around 50,000 international visitors. That puts capital into hotels, transport links, roads and housing - on a fixed deadline. Nairobi's metropolitan area is already home to more than six million people, and rapid urbanisation has been driving housing demand for years. A 2029 date gives that momentum a focal point.
Source
World Athletics confirmed on Tuesday, September 15th, that Nairobi will stage the 2029 World Athletics Championships - the first ever held on the African continent. The decision was made at a council meeting in Budapest.
President Sebastian Coe called Nairobi's bid compelling and emotional, pointing to the city's role as the economic and cultural hub of East Africa. Kenya's athletics record made the case difficult to refuse: the country produced Eliud Kipchoge, Faith Kipyegon and David Rudisha, and finished second in the medal table at the last championships in Tokyo. The modernised Moi International Sports Centre at Kasarani is expected to host.
Kenya is East Africa's largest economy and among Africa's five biggest by GDP. Growth reached 5.3% year-on-year in the first quarter of 2026, the strongest quarter in over a year, with construction up 6.6% and accommodation and food services up 14.7% on rising international arrivals.
What it means for the city
Organisers estimate around 50,000 international visitors. That puts capital into hotels, transport links, roads and housing - on a fixed deadline. Nairobi's metropolitan area is already home to more than six million people, and rapid urbanisation has been driving housing demand for years. A 2029 date gives that momentum a focal point.
Source