WHX Nairobi 2026 opens as Kenya pushes for stronger healthcare manufacturing
Held under the patronage of Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the three day exhibition runs until September 18 and has attracted more than 5,500 attendees and 200 exhibitors from over 30 countries.
KENYA—WHX Nairobi 2026 opened at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) on September 16, bringing together healthcare companies, investors, policymakers, and industry professionals from across Africa and beyond.
Held under the patronage of Kenya’s Ministry of Health, the three-day exhibition runs until September 18 and has attracted more than 5,500 attendees and 200 exhibitors from over 30 countries.
The event provides a platform for stakeholders to explore investment, manufacturing, trade, and cross-border partnership opportunities in the healthcare sector.
Call for sustainable medical technology
Dr. Joe Lenai, Director for Primary Healthcare, Preventive and Promotive Health at Kenya’s Ministry of Health, officially opened the exhibition by cutting the ribbon.
Speaking at the opening, Dr. Lenai urged manufacturers and suppliers to move beyond selling medical equipment and provide long-term technical support, including maintenance services, spare parts, and training.
“Africa must no longer be an equipment graveyard,” Dr. Lenai said, pointing to challenges caused by limited access to spare parts, inadequate maintenance, and shortages of technical skills.
He noted that expensive medical equipment can become unusable when healthcare facilities cannot access the expertise, parts, and maintenance services required to keep the equipment operational.
According to Dr. Lenai, addressing these gaps will require closer collaboration between manufacturers, suppliers, and healthcare providers.
Nairobi strengthens regional healthcare trade
Formerly known as Medic East Africa, WHX Nairobi has developed into a business-focused healthcare exhibition connecting international manufacturers with distributors, hospitals, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
The 2026 edition features more than 4,500 net square metres of exhibition space, representing an 81 percent increase from the previous edition.
The number of exhibitors has also increased by 22 percent, reflecting growing interest in East Africa’s healthcare market.
“As regional trade corridors strengthen and healthcare supply chains become more connected, Nairobi is increasingly the place where manufacturers, distributors, hospital groups, and policymakers can build partnerships,” said Tom Coleman, Portfolio Director, Healthcare.
East Africa’s growing healthcare demand is creating opportunities across the supply chain.
Market projections estimate that the region’s hospital market will reach US$9.25 billion in 2025, while the health and wellness market is expected to increase from US$16.8 billion in 2025 to US$23.6 billion by 2034.
However, countries in the region continue to depend heavily on imports for medical equipment, diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, and other health products.
This dependence has increased the need for efficient logistics, stronger distribution networks, and regional partnerships.
Eight healthcare sectors on display
The exhibition showcases products and services across eight sectors, including medical devices and equipment, imaging and diagnostics, laboratory technology, digital health and information technology, healthcare infrastructure, orthopaedics and physiotherapy, disposables and consumer healthcare products, and general healthcare services.
The 2025 edition generated an estimated US$84.19 million in business transactions.
Organizers expect the 2026 event to exceed that figure, with international participants accounting for about 40 percent of the audience.
WHX Nairobi forms part of a wider African healthcare exhibition portfolio that includes events in Lagos and Johannesburg.
The Nairobi edition is also positioned within ongoing efforts to strengthen healthcare trade, procurement, and supply chains across East Africa.
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