NAIROBI, Kenya, May 12 – Kenya is preparing to host one of the most significant technology events on the continent as AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya 2026 makes its highly anticipated debut in Nairobi from May 19–21, 2026.
Positioned as Africa’s largest artificial intelligence and innovation gathering, the event is expected to draw over 15,000 participants from more than 75 countries, cementing Kenya’s status as a rising global tech hub.
Bringing together startups, investors, governments, and global tech leaders, the three-day event will serve as a powerful platform for collaboration, investment, and the acceleration of AI adoption across Africa’s economies.
Philip Thigo, Special Envoy for Technology, Office of the President, Government of Kenya, said: “Kenya has firmly established itself as a leading technology hub in Africa, driven by innovation, talent, and a forward-looking digital agenda.”
“Hosting AI EVERYTHING KENYA X GITEX KENYA is a defining moment for East Africa, reflecting our commitment to shaping the future of AI in a manner that is inclusive, sovereign, and aligned with Africa’s development priorities. This is where East Africa advances toward co-authoring a future where lives are uplifted, social gaps are bridged, and shared prosperity is realised through innovation,” Thigo said.
The event will kick off with the Inclusive AI Everything Kenya X GITEX Kenya Summit on May 19 at the Sarit Expo Centre, featuring high-level discussions on AI governance, ethics, and inclusive innovation. The summit is expected to convene over 700 policymakers, investors, and industry leaders for deep strategic dialogue.
This will be followed by the Expo on May 20–21 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, where more than 500 enterprises and startups will showcase cutting-edge technologies through live demos, exhibitions, and business matchmaking sessions.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of the global organiser of GITEX, said: “AI EVERYTHING KENYA XGITEX KENYA shall convene an exceptional gathering of digital economy stakeholders, unitedin a shared ambition to shape East Africa’s trajectory in the emerging AI era.”
“We’re proud to bring a new ecosystem of communities, networks, and relationships to a region where the enthusiasm and intent to forge new alliances, enact visionary strategies, and pursue decisive, coordinated action in the name of inclusive AI integration and digital sovereignty are tangible,” LohMirmand said.
Attendees can expect a comprehensive showcase of next-generation technologies spanning artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cybersecurity, fintech, agritech, healthtech, and climate innovation.
From AI-powered financial services to smart agriculture and digital healthcare systems, the event will highlight how emerging technologies are being applied to solve real-world challenges across Africa.
A major highlight will be the North Star Kenya platform, a dedicated space for startups and scaleups to pitch ideas, connect with investors, and explore funding opportunities.
Co-located events such as fintech forums and cybersecurity summits will further expand opportunities for partnerships and growth.
With over 100 investors expected, the event is designed to unlock capital flows into Africa’s fast-growing digital economy and position Kenyan startups on the global stage.
Beyond business, the event will play a critical role in shaping AI policy and governance in the region.
Discussions will focus on data sovereignty, ethical AI deployment, and building inclusive digital economies—areas increasingly central to Africa’s development agenda.
Organizers say the event is more than a conference—it is a catalyst for long-term transformation, with AI projected to contribute billions to Kenya’s economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs in the coming years.
As Nairobi hosts this landmark event, the city is expected to attract unprecedented global attention from technology leaders, investors, and policymakers.
The convergence of talent, capital, and innovation signals a new chapter for Kenya—not just as a participant in the digital economy, but as a key architect of its future.
“AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya represents a defining moment for the continent. It is where Africa’s ideas meet global capital, and where the future of AI in emerging markets begins to take shape,” LohMirmand concluded.
