News
The 7th International Indo-Africa B2B Investment & Trade Expo takes place at KICC in Nairobi from Wednesday 7 to Friday 9 October 2026. For exporters, importers and distributors, three days of buyer meetings can open a market, but only if the trip around them is well planned. Where you stay, how you move across the city and how much time you leave for follow-up all shape the result. This guide sets out a practical itinerary for an individual exhibitor or visiting buyer.
Check availability & book direct · Indo-Africa Expo stays at Karen Plains Hotel
Know what you want from the expo
Before booking flights, write down what a successful week looks like. Your answer decides how many nights you need.
- Market entry: you want to understand the Kenyan market and meet potential distribution partners. Plan extra days for visits after the expo.
- Sourcing: you are looking for suppliers. Leave time to follow up with the most promising ones while you are still in Nairobi.
- Existing partners: you already sell in the region. Use the expo for new buyer meetings and the following days for account reviews.
A day-by-day plan around buyer meetings
This is an illustration, not the official expo programme. Check exhibitor and visitor timings with the organiser.
| Day | Focus | Stay tip |
|---|---|---|
| Monday 5 or Tuesday 6 October | Arrive, rest, confirm meetings | Book an arrival night. Check-in is from 12:00, with luggage storage for early landings. |
| Wednesday 7 October | Opening day, first buyer meetings | Leave early for KICC; ask for a packed breakfast if you need one. |
| Thursday 8 October | Scheduled meetings and walk-up conversations | Write up notes at your room desk in the evening. |
| Friday 9 October | Final meetings, agree next steps | Plan any Friday-evening meetings with traffic in mind. |
| The following week | Distributor visits, sourcing follow-up | Add these nights when you book your expo dates. |
The booking engine never assumes event dates, so choose every night you need, from arrival to departure.
Getting around: KICC and beyond
KICC is in Nairobi's central business district. Karen Plains Hotel is in Karen, in the south-west of the city, so the expo is a cross-city journey. Allow generous time, especially at peak hours. Journey times vary with Nairobi traffic; check a live traffic app for your schedule.
Some practical habits help:
- Group follow-up meetings by area rather than criss-crossing the city.
- Avoid booking your first meeting too early on the opening day.
- Ask us to quote daily transport to KICC and to your follow-up meetings, so you are not arranging a car every morning.
- Keep a printed or offline copy of meeting addresses.
For arrival, private airport transfers are priced per vehicle, one way: US$55 for a JKIA sedan (up to 3 people) or US$95 for a JKIA 4×4 (up to 6). Wilson Airport options are on our airport transfer page.
Working from your base
Expo evenings are for catching up: pricing questions from buyers, updates to head office, sample requests to arrange with your logistics team. When comparing hotels, check for:
- A proper desk. Every room at Karen Plains Hotel has a work desk.
- Dependable internet. Our Wi-Fi runs on Starlink, and a generator covers guest rooms and Wi-Fi during power cuts.
- A space to meet. Our boardroom and lounge can be booked for a follow-up conversation; ask us for rates.
- Meals that fit your day. Lunch and dinner can be added for US$40 per day. Our kitchen centres on Kenyan, Swahili and traditional African food, and your meal preferences can be discussed with us before you arrive.
- Clean clothes for day three. Laundry is washed, dried and folded for US$20 per bag.
Planning a week or more? Book your nights directly, then message us with your flights and we will quote the extras.
Staying on for follow-up
The most valuable meetings often happen after the stands come down. If your trip turns into a longer market visit, a few things make a longer stay easier:
- More space. Our One Bedroom Apartment has a separate living area and kitchen facilities. For a working base, the Executive Room and Deluxe Room both have king beds and room to work.
- Local help. Our long-stay concierge can help with Nairobi navigation and personal shopping, arranged on request with costs quoted.
- Routine. Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 10:30, and our front desk is open 24/7.
More ideas are on our long-stay page.
Make time for Nairobi
Even a busy trade visit has a spare morning. From Karen, the Giraffe Centre, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, the Karen Blixen Museum and Nairobi National Park are all in or near the neighbourhood. We offer a Nairobi National Park half-day tour and a Giraffe Centre tour, both priced per tour. The Waterfront Karen mall, a few steps away, is handy for gifts before you fly.
Practical notes before you travel
- Register for the expo with the organiser. Accommodation is booked separately.
- Check your entry requirements and any rules for bringing samples with official sources and your logistics provider. The hotel cannot store goods or samples.
- We accept card and M-PESA. Invoices and receipts are available on request.
- Cancellation and prepayment terms depend on your chosen rate and are shown before you pay.
Plan your stay with us
Come for the expo. Let us help with the rest. Book your room directly and tell us your flights, meeting days and meal preferences. Rooms and services are on our Indo-Africa Expo accommodation page. Travelling with colleagues? Read what to arrange before a trade delegation arrives.
Check availability & book direct · Ask your KPH concierge on WhatsApp
Live rates and availability are shown in our booking engine. Extras such as transfers, meals, tours and spa visits are quoted and confirmed separately.
Event details checked on indoafricaexpo.com in September 2026. Please confirm the latest programme with the organiser. Karen Plains Hotel is independent and not affiliated with QUICKMARC International or ICCCE.
