Africa’s leading policymakers, innovators, and technology leaders are set to converge in Nairobi for the highly anticipated Connected Africa Summit 2026, taking place from April 27 to April 30, 2026, at The Edge Convention Centre.
Organised by the ICT Authority of Kenya, the four-day summit will run daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (East Africa Time) and is expected to stand out as the continent’s most senior gathering focused on the digital economy this year.
Held under the theme “Uniting Africa’s Innovation for an Inclusive Digital Market,” the Summit will unite key stakeholders and thought leaders to shape Africa’s digital destiny. The 2026 edition connects the dots between the 2024 Summit theme, “Shaping the Future of a Connected Africa: Unlocking Growth Beyond Connectivity,” and the 2025 edition’s “The Digital Journey: Vision to Reality.” This year’s focus shifts firmly toward measurable delivery and sustained action.
Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and cybersecurity will headline discussions at the Summit, reflecting Africa’s urgent priorities in building resilient, inclusive, and future-ready digital economies. Additional agenda themes will include digital identity, fintech, connectivity, smart infrastructure, cloud, data governance, and innovation ecosystems.
By convening leaders from government, the private sector, academia, and development organisations, the Summit aims to foster partnerships that move beyond dialogue into implementation. The focus will be on aligning investments, strengthening cross-sector collaboration, and accelerating Africa’s journey toward a digitally empowered, inclusive, and globally competitive economy.
“This year’s theme is ‘Uniting Africa’s Innovation for an Inclusive Digital Market.’ It builds directly on the last two editions of the Summit—the 2024 edition, which focused on unlocking growth beyond connectivity, and the 2025 edition, which took us from vision to reality. This year, delivery has to become measurable,” said William Kabogo, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy during a press briefing held at Serena Hotel.
“The global digital economy presents immense opportunity for our youth. Our focus is to unify innovation across Africa so that young people can access skills, investments and markets that enable them to create enterprises, secure jobs and participate meaningfully in the digital age,” said Jessy Maruti, ICT Authority CEO during the launch.
Nairobi to host landmark Africa we build summit 2026
“The Connected Africa Summit is the most senior digital economy gathering the continent will convene this year. For context, the 2025 edition drew more than 1,500 delegates from over 30 countries, with 165 speakers and 40 sponsor partners. This year will build on that footprint,” he added.
Commenting on the role of the summit in driving Africa’s digital future, Mr. Maruti added, “Africa cannot fully unlock its digital potential while operating in fragmented systems. We must build stronger continental connectivity, harmonised digital frameworks and resilient infrastructure that allows data, services and innovation to move seamlessly across borders.”
A major milestone of this year’s summit will be the launch of the Connected Africa Secretariat, which will be chaired by Kenya. The Secretariat is expected to drive continuity, accountability, and long-term collaboration toward a unified, innovative, sustainable, and futuristic digital continent.
“Across Africa, the conversation is shifting from ideas to execution, from pilots to scale, and from isolated systems to integrated digital ecosystems that create measurable impact. Our collaboration with ICT Authority demonstrates what is possible when public and private sector players work together to accelerate national digitisation and deliver better outcomes for citizens, commented Frankline Okata, Chief Enterprise Business Officer, Safaricom during the launch.
Adam Lane, Policy and Partnerships Lead at Huawei Technologies Kenya echoed these sentiments while announcing their participation and support for the summit, which is focused on two key priorities: strengthening connectivity and developing talent. “Africa’s digital transformation must be powered not only by technology, but by skilled people who can build, manage and innovate with it. That is why talent development is a major focus for Huawei at this year’s Summit. We remain committed to supporting universities, TVET institutions and professional training programmes, while initiatives such as the Huawei ICT Competition continue to nurture the next generation of digital leaders for Kenya and the wider continent.”
The Summit will feature an influential assemblage of government leaders, policymakers, ambassadors, and technology innovators. From cabinet ministers and regulators to pioneering tech executives and investors, these leaders will share insights and expertise on driving digital innovation across Africa and accelerating economic growth and social development.
Confirmed ministerial participation includes leaders from Ethiopia, Malawi, Uganda, Gabon, Guinea, Chad, and Zimbabwe, with additional African states expected to attend through senior delegations.
With Africa’s digital transformation accelerating across sectors, Connected Africa Summit 2026 is poised to become the defining platform for collaboration, innovation, and policy action across the continent.
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