GITEX Africa 2026: Africa’s Largest Tech & Startup Event in Marrakech
Written by : Ilias Hajjoub | Reading time : 10 min | 07 April 2026
GITEX Africa is the largest technology and startup event on the African continent. It aims to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation by bringing together governments, global technology leaders, investors, startups, and academic institutions. The event takes place in Marrakech, Morocco, and the 2026 edition will be held from April 7 to April 9, 2026. In just a few years, GITEX Africa has established itself as a major technology platform. The event brings together more than 55,000 participants, over 1,450 exhibitors and startups from more than 145 countries, and more than 700 international speakers. These figures highlight the growing importance of the event within the global technology ecosystem.
The theme of the 2026 edition is “Catalyzing Africa’s Digital Economy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” placing AI at the center of the continent’s digital transformation. According to the organizers, GITEX Africa was designed to accelerate digital transformation across the continent by combining technology exhibitions, strategic conferences, and large-scale networking opportunities.
The event brings together a wide range of stakeholders from the technology ecosystem, including startups, investors, large technology companies, public institutions, and government delegations. This makes it one of the most influential technology gatherings in Africa, where the foundations of the continent’s digital economy are actively being shaped.
More than just a technology exhibition, GITEX Africa is now considered a catalyst for African innovation, a space where technology leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs collaborate to build the foundations of Africa’s digital future.
Content Table
- Event Details and Schedule
- Why GITEX Africa Is a Strategic Event for the Continent
- The Technology Sectors Driving GITEX Africa
- GITEX Africa Startup and Investment Programs
- Technology Sponsors and Strategic Partners of GITEX Africa
- Exhibitors and Technology Companies at GITEX Africa
- Programs, Training and Workshops at GITEX Africa in Marrakech
Event Details and Schedule
| Element | Key Information |
|---|---|
| Dates & Venue | April 7–9, 2026 – Place Bab Jdid (Marrakech Exhibition & Convention Centre), Marrakech, Morocco. (GITEX AFRICA) |
| Opening Hours | Tuesday, April 7, 2026: 11 AM – 6 PM • Wednesday, April 8: 10 AM – 6 PM • Thursday, April 9: 10 AM – 5 PM |
| Theme | “Catalyzing Africa’s Digital Economy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” |
| Participants | More than 55,000 attendees, 1,500 exhibitors and startups from over 145 countries, and 700+ international speakers. The event is organized by KAOUN International and Morocco’s Digital Development Agency (ADD) under the authority of the Ministry of Digital Transition. (hub.brussels) |
| Summits & Forums | Key programs include the Executive Summit, Connected Future Summit, Africa AI Governance Forum, Cyber-Resilient Architecture Forum, and the Founders’ Room, bringing together policymakers, technology leaders, and investors to shape digital policies and investments. |
| Ticketing / Registration | The event is primarily designed for industry professionals and business visitors. Visitors under 18 are generally not admitted unless part of a school delegation. Exhibitors must apply through the official event website. (JETRO) |
| Travel & Access | Marrakech Menara Airport is about a 100 MAD taxi ride from the city center. Visitors are encouraged to plan their trip early as flights, hotels, and accommodation demand increases significantly during the event. (GITEX AFRICA) |
Why GITEX Africa Is a Strategic Event for the Continent
Africa’s digital economy is experiencing rapid growth. Projections indicate it could reach $180 billion by 2030, driven by a young population and the accelerating adoption of digital technologies.
Artificial intelligence plays a central role in this transformation. According to several industry analyses, AI could add up to $1 trillion to Africa’s GDP by 2035 if deployed at scale across key sectors such as agriculture, finance, healthcare and manufacturing.
In this context, GITEX Africa acts as a strategic platform that brings together governments, investors, technology companies and startups to foster:
• technological collaboration
• international investment
• the creation of digital policies adapted to the African market
The event particularly highlights high-growth sectors such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, fintech, agritech, healthtech, data centers, smart cities and future mobility.
More than just a technology exhibition, GITEX Africa has become a key catalyst for Africa’s innovation ecosystem, where policymakers, global tech leaders and entrepreneurs collaborate to shape the continent’s digital future.
The Technology Sectors Driving GITEX Africa
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Cities
Artificial intelligence represents one of the largest economic opportunities for Africa. Estimates suggest it could generate $1.3 trillion in economic value by 2030, with infrastructure investment projected to rise from around $3 billion in 2025 to more than $20 billion by 2030.
Technologies such as:
• GPU hubs
• AI factories
• innovation laboratories
are already transforming key sectors including agriculture, healthcare, finance and education.
Connectivity and Telecommunications
The expansion of connectivity is another pillar of Africa’s digital transformation.
Key initiatives discussed during GITEX Africa include:
• telecom infrastructure
• 5G networks
• subsea internet cables
• satellite and global connectivity systems
These technologies contribute to building a hyper-connected Africa, essential for the development of the continent’s digital economy.
Cybersecurity
As African economies continue to digitize, cybersecurity has become a critical priority.
Dedicated GITEX Africa forums address topics such as:
• protection of critical infrastructure
• cloud security
• data governance
• resilience against cyberattacks
These discussions bring together CISOs, cybersecurity experts and policymakers to strengthen the continent’s cyber-defense capabilities.
Sustainability and Green Technologies
Technology also plays a key role in Africa’s environmental transition.
Solutions showcased at GITEX Africa include:
• water management technologies
• smart agriculture solutions
• renewable energy systems
• environmental sensors and IoT technologies
The objective is to ensure access to water, sustainable agriculture and clean energy through technological innovation.
SportsTech
Sports is also emerging as a growing technology market.
The global SportsTech market already exceeds $34 billion, and the Middle East and Africa region is expected to experience strong growth by 2030.
GITEX sports-related programs include:
• a SportsTech innovation zone
• a dedicated summit
• a startup arena
• entrepreneurial challenges
Data Centers and Digital Infrastructure
Demand for digital infrastructure is rapidly increasing across Africa.
Investments in data centers are expected to grow significantly in order to support:
• cloud computing
• artificial intelligence
• data sovereignty
• African digital platforms
Future of Learning and Workforce Transformation
The EdTech sector is one of the fastest-growing industries on the continent.
Educational technologies such as:
• AI-powered learning tools
• mobile learning platforms
• immersive classrooms
are helping train a new generation of digital talent.
It is estimated that 70 million African professionals will need digital skills training in the coming years.
Agritech and Food Security
Technology is also transforming African agriculture.
Innovations include:
• smart farming solutions
• agricultural drones
• IoT crop monitoring sensors
• agricultural fintech platforms
These technologies aim to improve productivity while strengthening food security.
Future Mobility
Innovations in mobility include:
• electric vehicles
• smart public transportation
• automated logistics
• intelligent urban mobility systems
These technologies are essential to support the rapid urbanization of African cities.
GITEX Africa Startup and Investment Programs
North Star Africa
North Star Africa is one of the largest startup and investor hubs on the continent.
It enables startups to:
• meet international investors
• access mentors
• participate in pitch competitions
• build strategic partnerships
Supernova Challenge
The Supernova Challenge is the largest startup pitch competition in Africa.
It allows entrepreneurs to present their innovations to international investors and compete for a total prize pool of up to $100,000.
Categories include:
• Fintech & Blockchain
• Agritech & Sustainability
• Mobility & Smart Cities
• Cybersecurity
• Artificial Intelligence
• EdTech
ScaleX
ScaleX is a program designed for growth-stage startups (Series A and beyond).
It enables technology companies to:
• expand into new African markets
• build industrial partnerships
• meet international investors
Founders & Venture Summits
These summits bring together:
• venture capitalists
• investment funds
• family offices
• startup founders
to explore investment opportunities in African technology ecosystems.
Investor Programme
The GITEX Africa investor programme gathers more than 390 investors from over 35 countries, representing more than $200 billion in assets under management.
The programme also facilitates over 1,500 meetings between startups and investors, creating a strong environment for fundraising and strategic partnerships.
Technology Sponsors and Strategic Partners of GITEX Africa
GITEX Africa in Marrakech brings together not only startups and investors but also major technology companies and international partners that actively support innovation and digital transformation across the continent.
These sponsors play a key role in strengthening Africa’s technology ecosystem by providing expertise, infrastructure and innovative solutions in areas such as digital payments, connectivity, energy and artificial intelligence.
Below are some of the major technology partners associated with the event.
| Sponsor | Role | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Vodacom | Conference Supporting Sponsor | The telecom operator supports the development of connectivity and mobile innovation across Africa, helping accelerate the continent’s digital infrastructure. |
| Mastercard | Payment Technology Partner | Mastercard contributes to the growth of Africa’s digital payments ecosystem and financial inclusion through its payment technologies. |
| Visa | Financial Innovation Partner | Visa supports fintech innovation and secure payment solutions to facilitate Africa’s transition toward a digital economy. |
| Schneider Electric | Energy Technology Partner | The company highlights solutions related to energy infrastructure, data centers and artificial intelligence to support Africa’s digital and energy transition. |
| Concentrix | Registration Sponsor | A specialist in customer experience and AI-powered solutions, Concentrix supports visitor registration and operational management during the event. |
| Dubai Internet City | Business Acceleration Partner | This international technology hub fosters collaboration between startups, investors and global technology companies. |
Beyond these partners, GITEX Africa brings together hundreds of technology companies, startups, public institutions and investors every year, reinforcing its position as a strategic platform accelerating digital transformation and innovation across Africa.
Exhibitors and Technology Companies at GITEX Africa
GITEX Africa brings together more than 1,450 exhibitors and startups from over 145 countries, making it one of the largest technology gatherings on the African continent.
The event gathers a complete ecosystem composed of global technology leaders, regional champions and fast-growing startups, all presenting concrete solutions designed to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
Among the companies participating in the event are organizations operating in key sectors such as:
• cybersecurity
• cloud computing and digital infrastructure
• fintech
• artificial intelligence
• telecommunications
Examples of participating companies and organizations include CIH Bank, SanDisk, Trend Micro, Commvault, Logicom, as well as institutions like the European Innovation Council, illustrating the diversity of participants and the growing interest of international players in Africa’s technology market.
Beyond individual companies, GITEX Africa functions as a strategic innovation hub, bringing together governments, investors, startups and technology leaders to accelerate the continent’s digital transformation and strengthen Africa’s role in the global technology ecosystem.
Programs, Training and Workshops at GITEX Africa in Marrakech
Beyond the exhibition floor, GITEX Africa stands out with a rich program designed to train, connect, and accelerate stakeholders across Africa’s technology ecosystem.
Cybersecurity Workshops and Technical Sessions
Specialized sessions such as the Kaspersky Cybersecurity Workshop offer practical training on topics including:
• threat intelligence
• AI-powered threat detection
• MDR and XDR security systems
• anomaly detection using machine learning
• Security Operations Centers (SOC)
These workshops help organizations better anticipate and respond to cybersecurity threats, an increasingly critical issue as Africa’s digital economy expands.
Additional sessions led by cybersecurity experts also explore risk assessment, security frameworks and cyber-resilience strategies, helping companies strengthen their digital infrastructure.
Certified Training Programs and Masterclasses
GITEX Africa also offers advanced learning programs and masterclasses covering key areas of modern technology, including:
• generative artificial intelligence
• data science
• blockchain
• digital transformation
• design thinking
These initiatives are further reinforced by programs such as:
• LovAfrica Buildathon, focused on collaborative development challenges
• Talent Academy, dedicated to training and empowering Africa’s digital talent
Through these initiatives, the event positions itself as a strategic learning platform rather than just a technology exhibition.
Investor Meetings and Startup Matchmaking
One of the major pillars of GITEX Africa is its startup-investor matchmaking ecosystem, designed to facilitate partnerships and funding opportunities.
The program includes:
• private roundtables with investors
• targeted networking sessions
• qualified B2B meetings between startups and corporate partners
Previous editions of the event enabled more than 1,500 business meetings, demonstrating its effectiveness in generating real investment and collaboration opportunities.
Hackathons and Innovation Challenges
GITEX Africa also promotes innovation through collaborative and competitive formats, including:
• HackMasters, a cybersecurity simulation challenge
• AI SDG11 Challenge, focused on developing smart and sustainable cities
These programs allow developers, researchers, and startups to build practical solutions addressing some of Africa’s most pressing technological and societal challenges.
Ilias Hajjoub
Ilias is the Head of SEM and Digital Marketing Specialist at Kifcom 360. Passionate about artificial intelligence, SEO and performance marketing, he designs data-driven and automation-powered campaigns to maximize ROI. From acquisition strategy and conversion funnel optimization to continuous monitoring of emerging technologies, he constantly pushes the boundaries of digital marketing performance
