Nairobi joins New York, Geneva and Vienna as only cities globally hosting multiple UN headquarters

Dar es Salaam. The United Nations is set to relocate the global offices of UNICEF, UNFPA, and UN Women to Nairobi by 2026, elevating the Kenyan capital to the ranks of New York, Geneva, and Vienna as one of only four cities globally hosting multiple UN headquarters.

Nairobi already hosts 23 UN agencies, including flagship bodies like UNEP and UN-Habitat.

There are also plans for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) to move its operations to Africa, further strengthening the region’s role in global humanitarian response.

The move is part of the UN’s wider “UN@80” reform agenda, with Secretary-General António Guterres citing cost efficiency as a key driver.

Operating costs in New York and Geneva, from office space to staffing and logistics, are significantly higher compared to Nairobi.

Beyond cost, the relocation is also seen as a strategic realignment toward Africa, which accounts for over 60% of the UN’s humanitarian work.

This shift is being viewed as a major vote of confidence in Nairobi as a global diplomatic hub.