In 2026, Africa is seeing a boom in events related to artificial intelligence (AI).
Conferences, summits, trade shows, and forums dedicated to AI are multiplying across the continent, attracting decision-makers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and digital professionals.
This momentum reflects both the urgency of understanding the challenges of AI in specific local contexts and the ambition to place Africa at the heart of discussions on the future of these technologies. Beyond the hype, it also reveals a growing desire to adapt AI tools to the concrete needs of African societies—from agriculture to governance, education, health, and sustainable development.
Significant events planned for 2026
Among the highlights of 2026 are the events organized by GITEX Global, the major technology trade show held in Dubai each year:
- AI EVERYTHING MIDDLE EAST & AFRICA, held in Cairo, Egypt, from February 10 to 12, 2026.
- AI EVERYTHING KENYA, which will take place from May 19 to 21, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya
The AI FOR PEACE SUMMIT, held on February 6 and 7, 2026, also in Nairobi, aimed to highlight the role of AI in peace, ethical governance, and sustainable development, with expert panels and workshops on AI solutions applied to social stability.
The IOAI SUMMIT, co-organized by EDS GROUP, AFRIA, and EDA Consulting, is the first artificial intelligence summit in the Indian Ocean region. It brings together decision-makers, startups, researchers, and investors to discuss topics such as governance, innovation, health, and agritech. It will take place in Antananarivo (Madagascar) on May 28 and 29.
FEWA AI Conference & Exhibition Nairobi will take place in Kenya from October 21 to 24, 2026.
Focusing on the integration of AI in education and the world of work, this forum explores the impact of intelligent technologies on socio-economic development and public policy.
PAN AFRICAN AI & INNOVATION SUMMIT
In partnership with the Center for Global Development & Sustainability, Brandeis University, USA, THE UNIVERSITY OF GHANA DIGITAL YOUTH VILLAGE & THE MINISTRY OF COMMUNICATION, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION September 22–23, 2026📍 Kempinski Hotel, Accra Ghana
This event will be immediately followed by AI CONFERENCE AFRICA, also in Ghana, on September 24 and 25, 2026, on the theme "Leveraging AI for Growth in Africa."
Finally, one of the continent's biggest events, AI EXPO AFRICA, will take place on October 28 and 29, 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa. Organized by AI MEDIA Group, this trade show is one of the largest artificial intelligence and automation events in Africa, connecting companies, startups, developers, and decision-makers around real-world use cases, technology demonstrations, and hands-on workshops.
While some of these events are already established gatherings or regional extensions of existing trade shows, others are first-time events, illustrating a desire to enable the rapid adoption of AI and the adaptation of these technologies to the socio-economic challenges specific to African contexts—from education to health, agriculture to social peace.
Nevertheless, the proliferation of these events across Africa mainly concerns English-speaking Africa. For the moment, even though AI is often at the heart of discussions at many trade shows in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa, no country has yet dedicated an event entirely to this topic, which is on everyone's lips and will impact daily life in many areas. However, this situation could change rapidly as public and private actors take up the challenges of this unavoidable technological revolution.