“Africa is not developing; Africa is recovering.” With these words, Somali-Italian architect Omar Degan sets the tone for the first Pan-African Architecture Biennale, launching in Nairobi, Kenya, on 1 September 2026. The landmark event, under Degan’s curatorship, aims to center African architectural knowledge and narratives in global discourse—politically, culturally, and structurally.

The biennale is an initiative of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK), led by its president George A. Ndege, and will be staged at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), a post-independence architectural icon symbolic of pan-African unity. Significantly, the choice of Kenya also responds to its progressive visa policy for African nationals, a direct counter to the global barriers often faced by African creatives.

A Symbolic Venue for a Historic Event

Designed by architects Karl Henrik Nøstvik and David Mutiso, the KICC opened in 1973, a decade after Kenya’s independence from British colonial rule. The building’s design merges Brutalist principles with Indigenous Kenyan influences, featuring a concrete plinth that supports a futuristic tower topped with a disc for natural shading. Its plenary amphitheater, inspired by the conical thatched homes of rural Kenya, and terracotta-clad exterior make it an architectural icon of pan-African unity. As Degan notes, the KICC’s historical and symbolic significance—coupled with Kenya’s recent policy of visa-free access for most African nationals—makes it an ideal stage for this unprecedented gathering.

“This is a deeply symbolic site, built in the early years of Kenya’s independence,” Degan told The Architect’s Newspaper. “It embodies the spirit of pan-Africanism, and hosting the biennale here sends a clear message: Africa is open, accessible, and ready to lead.”

A Bold Vision for African Architecture

The Pan-African Architecture Biennale, spearheaded by the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK) and its president, George A. Ndege, aims to challenge the global narrative that often marginalizes African contributions to architecture. Degan, the founding architect of DO Architecture Group and author of Mogadishu through the Eyes of an Architect (2020), envisions the event as a platform to reclaim African agency in shaping the built environment. Drawing inspiration from Kwame Nkrumah’s call for African unity, the biennale’s curatorial statement emphasizes a dialectic between memory and innovation, survival and imagination.

“This is not just an exhibition—it’s a political act,” Degan said in an interview with Wallpaper. “Africa is not developing; it is recovering from centuries of colonial extraction and misrepresentation. We are here to showcase African-led solutions, to reject Western validation, and to position the continent as the center of global architectural discourse.”

The biennale’s theme, From Fragility to Resilience, reflects this mission. It will highlight African innovation in sustainable design, resilient urbanism, and cultural preservation, addressing critical issues such as land rights, climate crises, and displacement. Projects will draw from vernacular traditions and indigenous technologies, such as earth construction and water harvesting, while fostering radical thought and pan-African solidarity.

A Continental and Global Dialogue

The biennale will feature contributions from all 54 African nations, each presenting projects that reflect their unique social, ecological, and architectural contexts. Unlike many international events where visa restrictions limit African participation, the Nairobi biennale prioritizes accessibility, ensuring that African architects and thinkers take center stage. Global contributors and the African diaspora are also invited to participate—not as dominant voices, but as collaborators in a dialogue led by the continent.

“We’re not chasing glossy renderings or neutral designs,” Degan emphasized. “We want projects that confront the realities of Africa—land, water, migration, memory—and that speak, protest, and heal.” Participation will be determined through curated invitations and open calls, with a focus on political relevance and community engagement.

The event’s structure is designed to be dynamic and inclusive, featuring:

• 54 national exhibitions, showcasing each African country’s architectural contributions.
• Keynotes and roundtables led by African and diasporic architects, activists, and thinkers.
• Workshops and community installations engaging Nairobi’s residents and the broader region.
• Civic and cultural events, including performances and public rituals, to root the biennale in everyday life.
• Collateral events organized by institutions and collectives across Africa and beyond.

A Personal Mission to Rewrite the Narrative

For Degan, curating the biennale is a deeply personal endeavor. His work, including the design of Arbe, a community café in Mogadishu, and his proposal for Somalia’s first civil war memorial, reflects a commitment to architecture as a tool for cultural and social repair. “African architecture has been erased from the global narrative by design,” he told Wallpaper. “Our cities, traditions, and visions are treated as afterthoughts. This biennale is my refusal to accept that invisibility. We are the foundation, and we are building our own space.”

Looking Ahead

With the biennale’s official announcement on June 16, 2025, the next steps include launching an open call for architects, designers, and thinkers to submit projects and ideas. Degan and the AAK are also planning a series of international and continental events—talks, exhibitions, and forums—to build momentum leading up to the September 1, 2026, opening. Strategic partnerships with institutions and individuals committed to the biennale’s mission will further amplify its impact.

“This is about shifting the center—intellectually, politically, and structurally—toward the continent that gave birth to the world,” Degan said. As Nairobi prepares to host this historic event, the Pan-African Architecture Biennale stands poised to redefine not only African architecture but also the global conversation about who gets to shape the future.

More details about the biennale, including submission guidelines and event schedules, will be released in the coming months. For updates, visit the official website or follow the Architectural Association of Kenya.