The Calabar International Convention Centre (CICC)

“ I have a vision for the CICC to be a world-class conference and convention destination, which will rival and compete with the very best on offer.

Nigeria has a vibrant and rapidly growing economy that requires facilities such as the CICC. The CICC has been years in the planning, carefully researched and ultimately designed to answer the needs of a demanding market. It complements the existing Tinapa Business Resort and the new ‘live, work, play’ Summit Hills mixed-use development.

Cross River is a culturally-rich, tourism-friendly destination which goes out of its way to offer visitors the ‘warmest welcome in Africa’. This extends equally to the business community.

A short ride from our Margaret Ekpo International Airport, the CICC is supported by a proven hospitality, leisure and entertainment infrastructure.


I look forward to welcoming you to the Calabar International Convention Centre. ”

- Former Governor Cross River State, Senator Liyel Imoke


Such is the vision of the founding fathers of 'The Calabar International Convention Centre' - A landmark, purpose-built facility located in Calabar, Cross River.

This state-of-the-art, multifunctional convention centre will host events for national and global audiences comprising business, government and international associations.

The Calabar ICC offers the market an almost unlimited scale capability to host a wide range of events – from intimate business meetings and workshops to large audience product launches, press conferences, congresses, exhibitions and conventions.

The scale and flexibility of the venue offers the freedom to design an event that will impress the audience and enhance the stature of the client. Coupled with a skilled and well-equipped technical, catering and support team, the Calabar ICC aims to earn the reputation as one of Africa’s most enticing meetings, conferences and exhibition venues.

Nigeria’s economy is the largest in Africa, with a dynamic and exciting business culture and an aggressive developmental agenda. It therefore makes sense that Nigeria plays an increasingly important role in the international business events market.

From this Quarter of 2015, Calabar is destined to become West Africa’s business meeting and event destination of choice.

The Calabar ICC is located in a free trade zone (FTZ) and, as such, exhibitors and conference organisers are exempt from paying VAT, WHT and other national and state levied taxes on transactions within the FTZ.

An additional benefit is that exhibitors may bring in items duty free, including those in prohibited categories such as furniture and fabrics.

The design and overall aesthetic of the Calabar ICC was the creative work of the renowned Danish architects, Henning Larsen Architects. They brought to the table their international experience of successfully designing a wide range of concert and convention centres in many different countries.

In November 2011, Henning Larsen Architects won an international competition for the design contract of the Calabar International Convention Centre, and in 2012 the construction of the Calabar ICC commenced.

The Calabar ICC is part of the remarkable 367 hectare Summit Hills mixed-use development, just north of the city of Calabar.

Summit Hills includes a 4-star 300-room business hotel (in view), an international hospital and medical facility, an 18-hole golf course and a residential development.

The location and convenience of the Calabar ICC is ideal for convention organisers and delegates, being a short 15-minute drive from downtown Calabar – with its hotels and guesthouses, restaurants, and entertainment and cultural attractions – and a 30-minute drive from the Margaret Ekpo International Airport.

More Details About the CICC

Distance from Calabar International Airport: 18 km (25 minutes)

Architects: Henning Larsen Architects , Copenhagen, Denmark

Total floor space: 35,000 sqm

Total number of conference rooms: 18 – 5 conference halls (220-1,800 delegates), 12 meeting rooms (55-90 delegates) and 1 VIP room

Lounges and foyers: 3

Largest room: Main Hall with 1,800 seats

Total capacity of the centre: approximately 5,000 delegates

Largest banqueting spaces: Main Hall (900 dinner guests), Hall A (650 dinner guests) and Hall C (500 dinner guests)

Main kitchen: (1,200 sqm, largest in Nigeria) and 4 distribution kitchens; HACCP accreditation applied for .

Exhibition space: In conference halls and foyers. Additional pre-allocated space for temporary exhibition marquee up to 8,000 sqm at the back of the Calabar ICC, directly connected to the Main Hall and the other conference halls

Coffee shop: In entrance hall, 40 seats

Parking: Secure parking for 700 vehicles

Convention Centre Hotel : (adjacent to the Calabar ICC): 300 rooms (phase one: 200 rooms)

Address: Calabar International Convention Centre

                Summit Hills, Off Murtala Mohammed Highway

                Calabar Cross River State Nigeria.

                 Phone: +234 811 056 0614 or 811 056 0617

                 Email: info@conventioncentrecalabar.com

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http://www.conventioncentrecalabar.com/about-calabar-international-convention-centre-cicc/