At least 10, 000 people have shown interest to participate in the World Talent Conference (WTC) 2026 set to be hosted in Kisumu between October 26th to 30th.
The conference to be hosted by The Africa Talent University (TATU) is set to bring together various stakeholders in what the event organizers call identification and commercialization of talent.
Institution’s founder Professor Humphrey Oborah said preparations are in top gear as he unveiled the 21-day countdown to the event at the university on October 1, 2026.
During the conference, participants will showcase their skills in music, comedy, drama, acting, film, fashion, catwalks, beauty, hair and styling, culinary arts, sports, fine arts, media, agriculture, engineering, health, climate solutions, entrepreneurship, community projects, and technology.
Prof Oborah said participants can register individually, or through schools, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) centres, universities, artists, professionals, entrepreneurs, among other groupings.
“The WTC 2026 Secretariat has assembled and invited investors, sponsors, donors, development organizations, professionals, potential partners and other opportunity providers to interact with projects being showcased during the conference,” said Oborah.
Participation is free
Prof Oborah said atleast 29 universities have already registered to participate, even as he announced that participation will be absolutely free.
“However, registration is mandatory to enable proper planning, programming, security and management of participants through the website; www.worldtalentconference.org or email address; info@worldtalentconference.org,” he said.
The events will be showcased at TATU university main campus in Buoye, along Kisumu-Nairobi Road, with some events hosted at Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall within Kisumu town.
“We call upon National and County Government institutions to mobilize citizens, institutions, young people, professionals, entrepreneurs, artists and innovators to participate in WTC 2026 in large numbers. This is an opportunity to bring forward talent and projects from communities that may otherwise never access such visibility,” Oborah said.
He called on the transport, hotel and logistics businesses to take advantage of the event for commercial boost.
“The WTC 2026 Secretariat has made Conference attendance ABSOLUTELY FREE. However, registration is mandatory to enable proper planning, programming, security and management of participants,” he added.
Obat Masira, the CEO of Mama Grace Onyango Social Hall CEO said the hosting of the event in Kisumu is a confidence vote in the city as it comes after two critical global summits which were hosted in the city.
“We are excited that we are hosting another world forum. The journey to hosting this event started in the year 2023, and we are glad that it is finally coming to fruition,” said Obat.
Between May 17th to 21st, 2022, Kisumu hosted AfriCities Conference, a premier pan-African summit organized by United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLG Africa).
Two years later, between August 25th and 31st, 2024, the city hosted Festival of Black and African Arts and Culture (FESTAC).
While over 11,000 people registered for the Africities, FESTAC attracted over 7, 000 participants.
Obat who is a member of the event planning secretariat called on stakeholders, sponsors and partners to support the event to enable it achieve its goals.
TATU University Vice Chancellor Dr Redemptah Yeda said the conference has so many benefits, expressing confidence that attendees will not leave disappointed.
“Charity begins at home, and that is why we want to rally the residents of this region to take up this opportunity and exploit their talent potentials,” she said.
