Durban International Convention Centre

What Durban International Convention Centre does

The Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC), officially the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre, is a self-sustaining municipal entity of the eThekwini Municipality in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Founded in 1997 as Africa's first International Convention Centre and opened by former President Nelson Mandela, the venue operates a multi-purpose complex comprising the main Convention Centre (with meeting halls, conference suites, meeting rooms, and outdoor event space), the 3,900m² multi-purpose Arena (capacity 500–10,000 for concerts, sporting events, and exhibitions), and the Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC) for large-scale trade shows, plus a Business Lounge (R250/day pass, R3,000/day boardroom) for smaller corporate needs. The venue is supported by in-house services including the I-Cube Express Business Centre, Travel Doctor clinic, and ancillary transport and accommodation partners (Tsogo Sun, Aqua Tours, Serendipity Travel).

The Durban ICC generates revenue through venue rental, full-service catering led by Executive Chef John Moatshe, bundled event packages, and managed services from on-site vendors. Pricing is quote-based and tailored to event requirements, with multi-year contracts available for large association conferences. The venue has developed hybrid event technology capabilities (live-streaming, remote presentation, video-on-demand) introduced in 2020 alongside COVID-19 safety infrastructure (digital pre-screening app, UV air sanitization). Its go-to-market combines direct enterprise sales targeting international, national, and local conference/exhibition/entertainment organizers with participation in international trade shows (IMEX America, IMEX Frankfurt) and high-profile hosted events that drive word-of-mouth (International AIDS Conference, World Economic Forum on Africa, Tourism INDABA, MTV Africa Music Awards). Customer segments span conference/meeting planners, exhibition/trade show organizers, concert/entertainment promoters, and wedding/private function hosts, with the corporate/government association segment being the most strategic.

Name

Durban International Convention Centre

Legal name

The Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (Durban ICC)

Website

https://icc.co.za

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Durban International Convention Centre is a self-sustaining municipal entity of the eThekwini Municipality operating Africa's first International Convention Centre (opened 1997), hosting conferences, exhibitions, concerts, banquets, and sporting events for international, national, and corporate clients across a multi-purpose venue complex.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Convention and Exhibition Venue Services

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Conference Centers & Dedicated Meeting Venues (THAHAAAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Convention & Exhibition Centers (Public Convention Centers, Civic Centers) (THAHAAAA), Sports & Arena Event Venues (Stadiums, Arenas) (THAHAAAF), Conference & Convention Center Catering (THAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Convention venue services
• Conference hosting facilities
• Exhibition centre rental
• Banquet and catering services
• Event venue operations

Headquarters

HQ city

Durban

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Venue Rental: Rental of convention halls, meeting rooms, exhibition spaces, and the arena for events ranging from conferences to concerts and exhibitions. Capacity ranges from intimate meeting rooms to the 3,900m² multi-purpose arena.
2. Catering and Food Services: Full-service culinary offerings including banquets, conference catering, and fine dining experiences. Executive Chef John Moatshe leads award-winning culinary team providing international standard cuisine.
3. Event Packages: Bundled event solutions including venue, catering, and services for conferences, exhibitions, banquets, and concerts.
4. In-house Services: Revenue from on-site service providers including I-Cube Express Business Centre, Travel Doctor clinic, and other vendor services operating within the venue.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

The Durban International Convention Centre operates as a multi-purpose events venue hosting conferences, exhibitions, concerts, sports events, banquets, weddings, and corporate gatherings across its three interconnected facilities — the main Convention Centre, the 3,900m² Arena, and the Durban Exhibition Centre. Its offering combines venue rental, full-service catering led by an Executive Chef, event coordination, and hybrid event technology including live streaming and video-on-demand. The venue accommodates from 50 to 10,000 guests and serves international and local event organizers with bundled event packages.

Product overview

The Durban International Convention Centre operates as a unified venue-and-services platform offering multiple interconnected facilities and event services. The core venue portfolio consists of the main Convention Centre (with meeting halls, conference suites, and outdoor spaces), the 3900m² Arena for sports and entertainment, and the Durban Exhibition Centre for large-scale exhibitions. These physical venues are complemented by a suite of service offerings including banquet services (for 50-4,000 guests), virtual/hybrid event technology solutions (live-streaming, remote presentation, video-on-demand), the I-Cube Express Business Centre for delegates, and on-site ancillary services such as the Travel Doctor clinic. The centre positions itself as a one-stop platform for events ranging from intimate meetings to major international conferences, concerts, and exhibitions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Durban ICC Convention Centre
• Durban ICC Arena
• Durban Exhibition Centre (DEC)
• Virtual Events Platform
• Banquets and Private Functions Service
• Conference Hosting Service
• Exhibition and Trade Show Hosting Service
• Concert and Entertainment Hosting Service
• I-Cube Express Business Centre
• Business Lounge
• Travel Doctor Clinic

Quantifiable outcome

• R6.39 billion contributed to South Africa's GDP in single fiscal year
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bishop TD JakescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 September 2019Durban ICC Leadership Summit featuring renowned evangelist, author and businessman Bishop TD Jakes. First own-created event bringing together thought leaders for dialogue on national issues.
• Le Chaîne des Rôtisseurs Bailliage de KwaZulu-NatalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2019Hosted induction and gala dinner (Chapitre) for this international gastronomic society founded in Paris in 1248, promoting fine dining and culinary arts.
• International Lifesaving Society (ILS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2019Joint collaboration resulting in first hybrid conference for ILS at the 2019 World Conference on Drowning Prevention, with live streaming to global audience.
• KZN Philharmonic OrchestraminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Joint Corporate Social Investment initiative with KZN Philharmonic Orchestra to host Valentine's Serenade complimentary lunch-hour concert.
• National Empowerment Fund (NEF)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2016NEF partners with Durban ICC for Take a Girl Child to Work Day, investing in learners and supporting youth development initiatives.
• Stop Hunger Now Southern AfricaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 July 2015Partnership with Stop Hunger Now Southern Africa for the Mandela Day Million Meal Challenge. Durban ICC hosted the Durban leg of this initiative to provide meals to those in need.
• Dimension DataminorOthersDimension Data is listed as a partner providing technology infrastructure support for the Durban ICC. The partnership contributes to the venue's digital capabilities and connectivity services.
• Khuselani Security & Risk Management (KSA)minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerKSA was awarded the security tender for the Durban ICC. The security company provides comprehensive security services for events and the venue.
• Lungisisa Indlela Village (LIV)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDurban ICC volunteers visit LIV Village to donate resources and spend time with children, supporting orphaned and vulnerable children.
• The Travel DoctorminorOthersSpecialized travel clinic based at the Durban ICC with doctors qualified in travel medicine, providing health services to delegates.
• Aqua Tours and TransfersminorOthersPassenger transport and logistics company based in Durban with fleet representation, providing transport services for delegates.
• Serendipity TravelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel agency serving outbound and inbound tourism, situated on the East Coast of South Africa with services for ICC delegates.
• Lemontree ConceptsminorOthersEvents management company providing event setup and coordination services, sought by corporate companies and government departments.
• Tsogo SunminorOthersTsogo Sun hotels near the ICC, including Southern Sun Elangeni & Maharani with 734 rooms, providing accommodation for delegates.
• Durban KwaZulu-Natal Convention BureaucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership initiative of KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs and eThekwini Municipality to promote business tourism. Provides complimentary services to event organizers.

Scale indicators21 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Sandton Convention Centre: Johannesburg-based convention centre operated by the Gauteng provincial government. Directly competes for corporate conferences, association meetings, and gala events in the South African MICE market, located in the country's financial hub with strong hotel adjacency.
• Johannesburg Expo Centre (Nasrec): Large-scale exhibition and convention venue in Johannesburg. Comparable as a South African venue operator hosting trade shows, exhibitions, and conferences with similar event types and target customers.
• Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC): South Africa's second major international convention centre, opened 2003. Directly competes with Durban ICC for international association conferences, corporate events, and exhibitions in the same domestic market, with the same venue-rental + catering + services business model.

Broad incumbents

• International Convention Centre (ICC) Birmingham: One of the UK's premier convention venues, operated by the NEC Group. Comparable as a long-established, award-winning international convention centre hosting large-scale conferences, exhibitions, and banquets at a similar facility scale.
• International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney): Australia's leading convention centre operated by a Joint Venture. Comparable as a global, award-winning convention centre with similar scale, hybrid event capabilities, and AIPC membership, operating in a more mature MICE market.
• Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre: Singapore's flagship convention and exhibition venue. Comparable as a major Asia-Pacific MICE venue with hybrid event technology, international convention hosting, and government-linked ownership/oversight.

Regional players

• Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC): Kenya's flagship convention centre in Nairobi. Comparable as an African regional government-owned convention centre hosting international summits and conferences across East Africa, though serving a different geographic catchment.
• Cairo International Convention Centre: Egypt's principal convention venue in Nasr City, Cairo. Comparable as a large North African convention centre hosting Arab League, African Union, and international association meetings with similar event categories and venue-rental business model.
• Kigali Convention Centre: Rwanda's modern convention centre operated under the Rwanda Development Board. An emerging African competitor with newer infrastructure targeting the same international association market, particularly African Union and pan-African events.
• Accra International Conference Centre: Ghana's primary convention venue in Accra. Comparable as a West African government-owned international conference facility hosting summits, corporate events, and exhibitions across the ECOWAS region.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/DurbanICC
• Instagraminstagram.com/durban_icc
• Xx.com/DurbanICC
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/icc-durban

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Durban International Convention Centre