GITEX to showcase Kenya’s billion-dollar AI potential

• Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya techshow is billed to position Kenya at the heart of Africa’s digital revolution.
• GITEX show continues to offer access to new markets, capital, talents, relationships, and investment opportunities.
• Event is also expected to inspire new public-private partnership projects, attract investment, scale technologies, and propel Kenya’s digital transformation.

Kenya is stepping boldly onto the global tech stage. As the nation doubles down on its strategic investments in digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, hyperscale data centres, and green industrialisation, a landmark announcement is set to propel its innovation narrative even further: the launch of Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, the world-renowned tech expo’s inaugural East African edition.

Slated for 19–21 May 2026 in Nairobi, the event marks a powerful collaboration between KAOUN International—organisers of GITEX Global—Kenya’s Office of the Special Envoy on Technology, and Africa’s leading tech platform, dx⁵.

This groundbreaking event will position Kenya at the heart of Africa’s digital revolution, showcasing its potential to unlock over $2.4 billion in AI-driven GDP growth by 2030 and create more than 300,000 new jobs by 2028.

Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya promises to be a catalytic platform—mobilising investors, innovators, policymakers, creatives, and civil society under one roof to shape the future of emerging technologies in the region. As GITEX adds Kenya to its elite roster of global tech destinations, Nairobi is set to host East Africa’s largest-ever gathering of tech and startup talent, signalling a new era of opportunity, ambition, and transformation.

A force for economic inclusion

“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,” stated William Kabogo, the Cabinet Secretary for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy.

He added that AI, backed by the country’s recently launched AI Strategy, is a cornerstone of a 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.”

According to Dr. Korir Singoei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, hosting AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya in the same year as the 2026 Global Data Festival underscores Kenya’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,” the PS added.

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

Furthermore, Amb. Thigo added “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. 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.”

Africa’s digital transformation

Harry Hare, Chairman and Co-founder of dx⁵, cited 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.”

“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.”

Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya

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.

Read also: GITEX Africa 2024 poised to unveil new blueprint for the continent’s digital economy