Nairobi to Host Ford Foundation Offices After Cabinet’s Greenlight

Nairobi to Host Ford Foundation Offices After Cabinet’s Greenlight

Nairobi is set to strengthen its position as a leading regional hub for diplomacy, public health, and scientific collaboration after the Cabinet approved a series of international agreements allowing major global organisations to establish offices in the capital.

The approvals were granted during a Cabinet meeting held on Tuesday, February 10, paving the way for the Ford Foundation and the International Vaccine Institute (IVI) to open offices in Nairobi. The Cabinet also sanctioned the establishment of Novo Nordisk Foundation Kenya A/S, further expanding the presence of global development and research institutions in the country.

In addition, the government approved a Memorandum of Understanding with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), clearing the path for the establishment of the Eastern Africa Regional Coordination Centre in Nairobi. The centre is expected to play a critical role in coordinating regional public health and development initiatives across East Africa.

“The Cabinet approved a series of international agreements that will allow leading global organisations to establish offices in Nairobi, reinforcing Kenya’s role as a regional and continental hub for diplomacy, health, and scientific cooperation,” the Cabinet dispatch stated.

The move signals growing international confidence in Kenya’s stability, infrastructure, and strategic positioning as a gateway to East and Central Africa. Nairobi already hosts numerous diplomatic missions and international organisations, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) headquarters, making it Africa’s only city with a UN global headquarters.

Government officials noted that hosting these institutions will enhance Kenya’s capacity to collaborate on public health initiatives, scientific research, and development programmes with far-reaching impact across the continent.

“The establishment of these offices will strengthen partnerships in health, science, and development, while creating opportunities for skills transfer, research collaboration, and regional leadership,” the Cabinet said.

With the latest approvals, Nairobi’s international profile is expected to grow further. The city currently hosts more than 150 international and intergovernmental organisations, alongside thousands of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), a presence that significantly contributes to Kenya’s economy through employment, investment, and global engagement.

Beyond the establishment of new offices, the Cabinet also authorised Kenya to host the International Nuclear Conference 2026, scheduled to take place in Mombasa from March 24 to March 26, 2026. The high-level conference is expected to bring together policymakers, scientists, and industry experts to discuss the role of nuclear science and technology in sustainable development.

“Kenya’s hosting of the International Nuclear Conference 2026 reflects the country’s growing stature in global scientific and policy conversations,” the Cabinet noted.

In another key decision, the government resolved to submit a formal bid to host the Eastern and Southern Africa Anti-Money Laundering Group (ESAAMLG) Regional Training Academy. If successful, the academy would be based in Kenya and serve as a centre of excellence for training and capacity building in combating money laundering, terrorism financing, and proliferation financing across the region.

According to the Cabinet, the proposed academy would significantly enhance regional cooperation and strengthen institutional capacity to address complex financial crimes.

“The training academy is expected to boost regional efforts to combat money laundering, proliferation financing, and extremism financing through structured training and knowledge sharing,” the dispatch added.

The Cabinet further maintained its earlier approval for the ratification of a convention establishing an international organisation for mediation, a move seen as aligning Kenya with global efforts to promote peaceful dispute resolution.

Collectively, the decisions underscore Kenya’s ambition to position itself as a centre for diplomacy, governance, health innovation, and international cooperation, reinforcing Nairobi’s role as a key anchor city for multilateral engagement in Africa.

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Nairobi to Host Ford Foundation Offices After Cabinet’s Greenlight