IT & Technology Events in Nairobi

AI EVERYTHING KENYA x GITEX KENYA

The World’s Largest Tech Show Brand, GITEX, Unveils Expansion into Kenya with Inaugural 2026 Edition Set to Unlock US$2.4 Billion AI-Driven Economic Potential 

• Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya to debut as East Africa’s largest AI and innovation ecosystem event from 19–21 May 2026 in Nairobi

Nairobi, Kenya – 22 May 2025: As Kenya invests heavily in key economic growth and national resilience drivers, from digital infrastructure and AI factories to hyperscale data centres and green industrialisation, the country is set for increased international attention following the announcement of Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya.

Organised by KAOUN International, the global organiser of GITEX, in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology of the Republic of Kenya and dx⁵, Africa’s top technology driver, Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya debuts in Nairobi from 19-21 May 2026.

With the AI market alone expected to contribute US$2.4 billion to Kenya’s GDP by 2030 and generate over 300,000 new jobs by 2028, the event is poised to highlight Kenya’s increasing AI and digital transformation leadership regionally and internationally. It will catalyse a new wave of transformative partnerships and investments, simultaneously accelerating the responsible and inclusive deployment of emerging technologies.

Convening one of the most influential multistakeholder gatherings on the continent, GITEX continues to offer unparalleled access to new markets, capital, talents, relationships, and investment opportunities. Throughout its 45-year history, international engagement and expansion have become synonymous with a brand that now stages shows in eight countries and five regions globally, including Germany, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Nigeria, Singapore, Thailand, UAE, and Vietnam.

With Kenya’s highly anticipated introduction into the GITEX international events portfolio, Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya will become East Africa’s largest tech and startup event, bringing together policymakers, technologists, academia, the private sector, civil society, creatives, and development partners. 

Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy, welcomed the announcement: “Hosting Ai Everything Kenya is both a recognition of our achievements and a call to action. Kenya is positioning itself at the heart of Africa’s digital transformation, where artificial intelligence is not just a tool for innovation, but a force for economic inclusion, public service reform, and sustainable development.” He noted that AI, affirmed by the recently launched Kenyan AI Strategy, is a cornerstone of the country’s broader transformation agenda, aligned with the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA): “We are proud to lead this moment that places Africa on the global AI map—not just as consumers, but as creators and collaborators shaping a future rooted in our values and vision.”

Dr. Korir Singoei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, noted that hosting AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya in the same year as the 2026 Global Data Festival underscores the nation’s ambition to cement Nairobi’s role as the world’s multilateral hub for digital cooperation and innovation. 

“This drive is anchored in Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025, which, for the first time, elevated technology diplomacy alongside our traditional pillars and established a strategic framework for advancing international collaboration on emerging technologies,” he said. “It reflects our commitment to deepen cooperation on data governance, AI regulation, and digital infrastructure – and to weave technology considerations into peacebuilding, trade negotiations, and development partnerships. By convening global stakeholders in Nairobi, we are showcasing that Africa’s diplomacy is evolving and up to task with the new and emerging trends of collaboration to address our greatest challenges.”

Amb. Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology, also underscored the event’s national significance: “The hosting of Ai Everything Kenya is more than symbolic, it affirms Kenya’s stature as a trusted convener of global conversations on the future of technology.” 

Furthermore, Amb. Thigo highlighted the bold leadership of H.E. President William Ruto in championing green industrialisation and inclusive development through innovation: “This moment reflects our commitment to harnessing emerging technologies such as AI not only to solve local challenges but also to shape global norms that are equitable, sustainable, and reflective of Africa’s development aspirations,” he said. “It is also a platform to showcase Kenya’s and Africa’s ingenuity – our capacity not only to adopt but to design, build, and export transformative technologies that reflect our values, realities, and ambitions.”

Harry Hare, Chairman and Co-founder of dx⁵, emphasised the collaborative vision behind the event: “Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya is more than an event – it is a catalyst for Africa’s digital transformation,” he added. “By bringing together global innovators, policymakers, and local talent, we’re creating a platform that not only showcases Kenya’s technological advancements but also fosters collaboration and investment across the continent. This is also a strong expression of confidence in Kenya’s status as a premier MICE destination – with the infrastructure, expertise, and vibrancy to successfully host global technology and innovation leaders.”

Celebrating the partnership, Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of DWTC & CEO of KAOUN International, said: “Kenya has already carved out an influential piece of Africa’s digital landscape – incubating and fuelling tech that is changing lives across the nation. The launch of Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya shall mark a pivotal milestone in Kenya’s digital journey and the rise of AI and digital economies across East Africa. This landmark event shall cast a unique global spotlight on the nation’s progressive policies, homegrown talent, emerging infrastructure, and bold ambitions, consolidating Kenya’s status as a competitive, influential force for technological change in the regional and global tech arenas. This shall ultimately unlock new avenues for cross-border collaboration between public and private sectors, elevating an increasingly dynamic and resilient regional ecosystem.”

With digitalisation a critical economic development and employment creation pillar under transformative strategies, including Kenya Vision 2030 and Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022-2032, Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya amplifies this potential, presenting a world-class programme curated to accelerate tech integration across critical sectors in the emerging AI and digital economies. 

Comprising a one-day global summit and two-day exhibition showcase, the event will revolve around six key themes at the forefront of Kenya’s emerging digital economy and technology ecosystem: AI, agritech, cloud, cybersecurity, IoT, and sustainability.

Alongside a global community of governments, enterprises, experts, investors, SMEs, startups, and digital promotion agencies, Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya,supported by Gulfood, the world’s biggest food show, stands to redefine cross-sector collaboration, inspire new public-private partnership projects, attract investment, scale technologies, and propel Kenya’s digital transformation journey to greater heights. 

CyberWeek Africa

CyberWeek Africa: Securing Africa’s Digital Sovereignty through Innovation and Policy

As cyber threats continue to grow in scale and sophistication, CyberWeek Africa emerges once again as the continent’s premier platform for digital security, innovation, and strategic policymaking. Hosted at the prestigious Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete, Nairobi, this landmark event has become the focal point for Africa’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and innovation-led digital ecosystem.

With thousands of cybersecurity professionals, government leaders, AI researchers, and defence strategists in attendance, CyberWeek Africa is more than just a tech event—it is where Africa’s digital sovereignty is secured, discussed, and put into action. Now entering its fourth year, the forum continues to shape national and continental strategies, bridging the gap between policy, technology, and battlefield readiness.

A Growing Movement for African Cyber Resilience

Since its inception, CyberWeek Africa has become a critical driver of continental collaboration. The event has brought together over 5,000 delegates from more than 90 countries, including top-tier decision-makers from both public and private sectors. From regulators and cybersecurity professionals to defence experts and quantum computing pioneers, the event curates a dynamic environment of knowledge-sharing, networking, and real-world strategy development.

The event reflects Kenya's and Africa's wider ambitions to not only keep pace with global cyber developments, but to shape a distinct and sovereign digital future for the continent. With strategic focus areas including AI, quantum technology, digital ethics, and cyber warfare, the event ensures that Africa’s voice in global cybersecurity discourse is loud and clear.

2025 Theme: Compliance by Design

This year’s theme, “Compliance by Design,” sends a strong message: cybersecurity and data protection must not be afterthoughts. They must be built into systems, products, and governance structures from the very beginning.

The “Compliance by Design” approach focuses on:

Embedding privacy and security in early-stage tech development

Aligning with global regulatory frameworks like GDPR and Kenya’s Data Protection Act

Prioritizing transparency, accountability, and ethics in AI and digital transformation

Fostering digital trust between governments, enterprises, and citizens

Encouraging proactive, not reactive, cyber defence systems

Rather than treating regulation as a burden, CyberWeek Africa promotes compliance as a catalyst—a foundation for sustainable digital growth and international competitiveness.

What to Expect at CyberWeek Africa

CyberWeek Africa blends technical deep dives, strategic dialogue, and immersive workshops, creating a space where both national and organizational cyber agendas are developed.

Key features of the event include:

Expert Panels and Fireside Chats
With speakers ranging from government ministers to global CISOs, these sessions offer invaluable insights into real-world challenges and regulatory trends.

Live Simulations and Threat Response Exercises
Military-grade cybersecurity drills and AI-integrated cyber warfare simulations showcase emerging tools in action.

Technology Exhibition
Cutting-edge products and solutions in AI, quantum security, digital identity, threat detection, and cloud security on display.

Startup Pitch Zone
A dedicated space for African innovators to present cybersecurity, compliance, and AI-driven startups to global investors.

Policy Roundtables and Diplomacy Forums
Closed-door sessions where regulators, diplomats, and strategic advisors shape cross-border data and cyber agreements.

This diversity makes CyberWeek Africa a truly multidisciplinary space, ideal for both deep technical learning and high-level policy strategy.

Why CyberWeek Africa Matters for the Continent

CyberWeek Africa is more than just an annual gathering it’s a movement to assert Africa’s digital sovereignty. In a time when external influence in digital infrastructure is a growing concern, this event puts local governance, innovation, and capacity-building at the forefront.

The event addresses several key goals:

Strengthening national cybersecurity frameworks

Promoting public-private partnerships for cyber defence and digital innovation

Building homegrown expertise in AI, machine learning, and quantum computing

Facilitating cross-border regulatory harmonization for seamless data flows

Encouraging ethical digital transformation rooted in African values and realities

Through these pillars, CyberWeek Africa helps shape a secure, sovereign, and inclusive digital future, positioning Africa not just as a consumer of global cybersecurity tools—but as a leader in cybersecurity strategy and innovation.

Who Attends CyberWeek Africa?

The strength of CyberWeek Africa lies in the diversity and caliber of its participants. Attendees span across sectors, disciplines, and borders each bringing critical expertise to the table.

The attendee profile includes:

Government policymakers and regulators

Cybersecurity professionals and researchers

Military cyber units and defence strategists

CIOs and CISOs from critical infrastructure sectors

Academics and students in tech, law, and policy

Tech entrepreneurs and African startup founders

AI developers and quantum computing experts

Diplomats and international cooperation specialists

This diversity ensures that the event remains holistic, practical, and action-driven, with multiple perspectives enriching the conversation.

CyberWeek’s Lasting Impact on Africa’s Digital Agenda

Each edition of CyberWeek Africa doesn’t end with applause it ends with agreements, collaborations, and blueprints for future action. The forum plays a pivotal role in shaping:

National cybersecurity strategies across East, West, and Southern Africa

Digital identity frameworks and critical infrastructure protections

AI governance guidelines that balance innovation with ethics

Regulatory compliance training for institutions and SMEs

Regional alliances for cyber threat intelligence and response

Moreover, the forum has supported the development of cybersecurity curricula, incubation hubs for digital startups, and bilateral agreements for secure digital trade between African states.

In an era of fast-paced digital change, CyberWeek Africa is not just timely it is transformative. By uniting technology, governance, and innovation under one roof, the event empowers African nations to take charge of their digital destinies. With the 2025 theme of “Compliance by Design,” the focus is clear: build systems that are not only powerful and scalable but secure, ethical, and sustainable from the start.

For professionals in cybersecurity, policy, tech development, defence, or digital governance, CyberWeek Africa is the must-attend event of the year a space where challenges are met with collaboration, and ideas are turned into actionable change.