Africa’s First Architecture Biennale Opens in Nairobi

The Pan-African Biennale 2026 opens in Nairobi on September 7, establishing a dedicated platform for architecture and the built environment across Africa. Curated by Somali-Italian architect Omar Degan alongside the Architectural Association of Kenya, the inaugural edition explores “Shifting the Center: From Fragility to Resilience.” Its 54 participating practices represent every African country, alongside diasporic practices, and are organized by climatic zones rather than national borders. Five themes examine repair, inherited knowledge, African futures, and Pan-Africanism. Exhibitors were asked to present evidence of their processes and knowledge, rather than polished images alone. The program spans several Nairobi venues, with talks, workshops, and films. The biennale, which is free to the public through September 11, is planned as a rotating event, with future editions moving to different African cities every two years.