Cecilia Mbati, President of the Interior Design Society of Kenya (IDSK), will represent Kenya’s interior design industry at the Mashariki Creative Economy Expo 2026 in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
She will participate in the Day 2 panel discussion titled “African Heritage in Interior Design for Commercial Environments” on Wednesday, 19 August 2026, at the Mlimani City Conference Centre.
The regional discussion will explore how African heritage, culture and creativity can be incorporated into commercial interiors. It will also examine how designers can create spaces that express identity, communicate stories and celebrate the continent’s cultural richness.
African Heritage as a Commercial Design Resource
African heritage offers commercial interior designers a rich source of materials, craftsmanship, patterns, stories and design knowledge. When applied thoughtfully, these elements can help hotels, restaurants, offices, retail outlets and other commercial spaces develop a clear sense of place.
However, incorporating African identity into commercial interiors involves more than adding decorative patterns. It requires designers to understand the cultural meaning of materials and objects while working closely with craftspeople, manufacturers and local communities.
The panel will provide an opportunity to discuss how culturally rooted design can remain functional, contemporary and commercially relevant.
Cecilia Mbati Brings Kenya’s Perspective
As President of IDSK, Cecilia Mbati brings a perspective grounded in professional practice, industry development and the growing economic role of interior design.
Her participation places Kenya within an important East African conversation about cultural identity, commercial design and the creative economy. It also supports stronger collaboration among interior designers, professional associations, makers and creative businesses across the region.
Through IDSK, Mbati continues to advocate for greater recognition of interior design as a profession and an economic sector connected to construction, manufacturing, hospitality, retail and property development.
The Mashariki Expo panel will allow her to share insights from Kenya while learning from the experiences of design professionals from Tanzania and Uganda.
East African Design Voices
The discussion will be moderated by Leandra Lyimo, an architect, product designer and founder of Refixit.
Cecilia Mbati will be joined by:
- Sayuni Bupe Mwamamenge – Interior designer and former AQRB board member, Tanzania
- Lillian M. Kiwanuka – President, Interior Design Association of Uganda
- Amelia Okinka Langenohl – Operations Lead, AfriCraft TZ
Together, the speakers bring experience from interior design, architecture, product development, professional leadership and African craft.
Their participation demonstrates the value of regional collaboration in developing commercial spaces that are locally grounded and internationally competitive.
Event Details
Panel: African Heritage in Interior Design for Commercial Environments
Date: Wednesday, 19 August 2026
Time: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Venue: Mlimani City Conference Centre, Dar es Salaam
Entry: Free
Exhibitions: Open throughout the day
The session is part of the Mashariki Creative Economy Expo 2026, which brings together professionals and organisations working across East Africa’s creative industries.
For IDSK, Cecilia Mbati’s participation is another opportunity to strengthen regional relationships and position Kenyan interior designers within wider conversations about African design, culture and economic development.
