The International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) has ranked Nigeria 14th among African nations as a destination for important meetings held in 2023.

This data comes from the recently released 2023 ICCA Business Analytics Country and City Rankings Report.

The report, based on submissions from ICCA members, details over 10,000 meetings that took place throughout the calendar year 2023.

South Africa, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, and Uganda were listed as the top five popular destinations for meetings in Africa in the year under review.

Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Mozambique, and Niger came behind.

ICCA said that its “Africa Chapter Ranking” is to streamline efforts and present a unified front in the global bidding and hosting processes.

It, however, noted that while geographical divisions serve administrative purposes, they may not always align with the collective interests and potential of regions.

The CEO of ICCA, Senthil Gopinath, said the report showed the bidding processes embarked upon by relevant stakeholders.

Gopinath stated that international meetings and events can bring positive outcomes to all corners of the globe, adding that ICCA looks forward to continuing its role as a vehicle for change.

“Our research team has performed exceptionally in compiling this comprehensive data. It’s a cornerstone for our association, providing invaluable insights that empower our members and enhance our community’s strategic positioning,” Gopinath said.

“Because association meetings are planned over the long term, preparations for congresses and conventions occur many months and years ahead of the selected date of the event.

“A great deal of planning goes into site selection, choice of vendors, and many other aspects of laying the groundwork for events.”