Kisumu will host the Africa Smart Cities and Townships Alliance (ASCA) Week in August 2026, an international summit expected to bring together leaders from Africa and Asia.
The announcement comes after the lakeside City was selected to play the host, positioning it at the centre of a growing continental push to integrate healthcare, technology and urban development, with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o — who also serves as ASCA President — steering the initiative.
ASCA Week, scheduled for the last week of August, is expected to draw policymakers, investors, urban planners, healthcare experts and technology leaders in a high-level forum designed to move beyond policy discussions to implementation of real projects.
The summit will focus on practical solutions to challenges facing rapidly growing cities, with particular emphasis on smart healthcare systems, sustainable urban planning, climate resilience, affordable housing and digital governance.
The event is also expected to feature high-level policy dialogues, investment forums and technical workshops, alongside exhibitions and project showcases where participating countries and cities will present bankable initiatives to potential investors and development partners.
It has been structured to catalyse partnerships and financing, especially through public-private partnerships, which are increasingly seen as critical in delivering large-scale urban infrastructure and social services.
According to Jaewon Peter Chun, President of the World Smart Cities Forum, Kisumu’s selection reflects confidence in its emerging role as a model city where integrated approaches to development are being tested.
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“Leaders from Africa and Asia will gather here to share ideas, build partnerships and accelerate real projects that impact people’s lives,” Chun said.
Speaking in Kisumu, Chun noted that ASCA aims to bridge global expertise with local priorities, ensuring that solutions are tailored to community needs while leveraging international technology and investment.
The summit, he said, will also spotlight Kisumu’s flagship initiatives, including efforts to strengthen healthcare systems through early disease detection and integrated service delivery, positioning the city as a potential regional hub for medical excellence.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said hosting ASCA Week aligns with his administration’s broader vision of transforming Kisumu into a medical city and innovation hub anchored on strong global partnerships.
He said the alliance provides a platform for cities to collaborate across borders, share knowledge and mobilise resources to tackle common challenges such as urbanization, healthcare access and infrastructure gaps.
Beyond conference sessions, delegates, he said, will undertake site visits to key development projects across Kisumu, offering a first-hand view of how smart city concepts are being implemented on the ground.
He added that the organizers have also planned cultural exchanges and networking events to deepen ties between participating countries, institutions and investors.
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The ASCA Secretariat, officially launched in Kisumu, will coordinate the alliance’s programmes across the region, further cementing the city’s role as a hub for innovation and collaboration.
The summit is expected to significantly elevate Kisumu’s profile, opening up new opportunities for investment, tourism and knowledge exchange, while reinforcing its position in regional development networks.
With preparations now underway, Nyong’o said the focus will be on ensuring the summit delivers tangible outcomes through partnerships and projects that extend beyond the event itself.
“This is not just about hosting a conference. It is about building systems and partnerships that will transform lives long after the summit,” Nyong’o said.
The gathering comes at a time when African cities are under increasing pressure to adopt smarter, more inclusive development models, with Kisumu now positioning itself at the forefront of that transition through ASCA.
By Fredrick Odiero
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