NAIROBI, Kenya- The United Nations has attributed the expansion of its Nairobi operations to the city’s strategic geographical location, describing the Kenyan capital as a uniquely positioned global hub capable of supporting the organisation’s work across multiple continents.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON), Zainab Hawa Bangura, said Nairobi’s location enables the UN to coordinate and deliver services to countries around the world efficiently.
“Nairobi is the only duty station within a 12-hour period that can reach anywhere in the world,” Bangura said.
She noted that the UN’s operations in Nairobi extend far beyond the African continent, with the office providing administrative and operational services to 166 countries.
“We provide services in 166 countries around the world from here. It allows us to go as far as Fiji, as far as Indonesia, the Pacific, and Asia,” she added.
Bangura said Kenya’s geographical position has naturally positioned Nairobi as a key international gateway, making it an ideal location for the organisation’s expanding global operations.
“Kenya was destined to play that role because of its geographical location; you can reach everybody,” she said.
Her remarks come as the United Nations continues to strengthen its presence in Nairobi through major infrastructure investments aimed at enhancing its capacity as the organisation’s headquarters in the Global South.
On May 11, President William Ruto and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of the United Nations Office at Nairobi Assembly Hall in Gigiri and inaugurated a new UN office block.
Following the event, President Ruto said the expansion reflects the United Nations’ commitment to inclusivity, geographical balance and a stronger global presence outside traditional headquarters.
“The modernisation and expansion of the United Nations Office at Nairobi is a powerful expression of inclusivity, geographical balance and the universality of the United Nations system,” Ruto said.
The President also announced that the Kenyan government would complement the UN investment by upgrading infrastructure surrounding the Gigiri complex.
“To complement the modernisation of the UN campus, we are investing $1.1 billion in complementary support for Nairobi’s infrastructure upgrade, including roads, street lighting, regeneration of the Nairobi Rivers, ICT systems security, and the operationalisation of the UN One-Stop Shop,” he said.
According to Ruto, the investment will further reinforce Nairobi’s status as a global diplomatic centre and the UN’s principal headquarters in the Global South.
“This investment affirms Nairobi’s role as the UN’s headquarters in the Global South, a centre of international diplomacy, and a symbol of international cooperation,” he added.
The expansion is expected to enhance the UN’s operational capacity while cementing Nairobi’s position as one of the organisation’s most important global duty stations.
