By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, 16 January 2026 - Foreign Affairs and Diaspora Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has announced plans to establish a purpose‑built African Union (AU) Campus in Nairobi that will consolidate several major AU bodies under one integrated facility, a move officials say will strengthen Kenya’s role as a diplomatic and continental cooperation hub.
Speaking on Thursday, Mudavadi said the government has allocated three acres of land in Upper Kabete for the project, which aims to host a suite of key AU entities currently scattered across Kenya.
“Plans are underway to develop a purpose‑built African Union Campus in Nairobi, positioning Kenya as a central hub for AU coordination, shared services and diplomatic engagement,” Mudavadi said, describing the initiative as a major boost for Nairobi’s multilateral profile.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the campus will be home to:
AU InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU‑IBAR), a key AU organ for livestock and animal resources development across the continent.
African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (ATMIS), reflecting Kenya’s role in supporting peace and security efforts in the Horn of Africa.
Pan African University Institute for Basic Sciences, Technology and Innovation (PAUSTI), a flagship continental higher‑education institute focusing on science and technology.
AU Institute for Remittances (AIR), established to streamline remittance systems across Africa, enhancing financial inclusion and lowering transfer costs.
AU Development Agency (AUDA‑NEPAD) Eastern Africa Regional Office and Centre of Excellence, part of the AU’s infrastructure and development arm for regional economic acceleration.
Mudavadi said consolidating these institutions in one campus will improve operational efficiency, foster collaboration and increase Kenya’s appeal as an AU centre of excellence, from policy formulation to innovation and peace support.
Kenya hosts numerous continental and international organisations due to its stability, infrastructure and diplomatic networks.
The proposed AU Campus aligns with Kenya’s long‑standing aspiration to deepen its engagement with the AU and multilateral partners, positioning Nairobi as a vibrant hub for African policy, research and development.
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PAUSTI, one of the institutes slated for inclusion, has been instrumental in training scientists and engineers across Africa, graduating dozens of experts in key fields such as basic sciences, technology and innovation, contributing directly to continental goals under AU Agenda 2063.
The Pan African University system, of which PAUSTI is a part, is designed to build African human capital by producing graduates capable of tackling development challenges across the continent, including water, energy, climate and technology sectors.
The AU Campus initiative comes as African institutions deepen cooperation to address shared development priorities.
For example, the African Union Development Agency (AUDA‑NEPAD) recently signed frameworks to advance continental infrastructure financing and partnership models, demonstrating the AU’s growing focus on self‑driven economic transformation.
By housing the Eastern Africa regional office and Centre of Excellence of AUDA‑NEPAD, Kenya will anchor a regional node of development expertise, supporting projects that span energy, transport, ICT and climate adaptation in line with Agenda 2063 and related continental strategies.
Mudavadi’s remarks also reflect Kenya’s ongoing diplomatic engagements to strengthen multilateralism and continental cooperation.
In recent diplomatic briefings, he has emphasised the importance of deepening Kenya’s engagement with AU and global partners to promote peace, stability and economic growth.
In addition to the campus project, the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs ministry has championed initiatives such as performance contracts and strengthened coordination with foreign missions, strategies aimed at Kenya’s international presence and service delivery.
Officials say the AU Campus will attract African expertise, expand opportunities for continental collaboration in research, innovation and diplomacy, and enhance Nairobi’s cultural and intellectual diversity.
Mudavadi’s vision aligns with broader continental aspirations to enhance institutional capacity and self‑reliance, bringing African institutions closer together to tackle shared challenges, from peace and security to education, remittances, animal resources and development financing.
