AI, DPI, Cybersecurity To Take Centre Stage At Connected

Artificial Intelligence (AI), Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and cybersecurity will headline discussions at the Connected Africa Summit 2026, taking place from April 27–30, 2026 at The Edge Convention Centre.

The summit, organised by the ICT Authority of Kenya, will convene policymakers, technology leaders, investors, and innovators from across Africa and beyond to shape the continent’s digital future, with a strong emphasis on translating strategy into measurable, real-world outcomes.

Under this year’s theme, “Uniting Africa’s Innovation for an Inclusive Digital Market,” Connected Africa Summit 2026 moves decisively into execution, with a focus on scalable solutions, cross-border collaboration, and long-term impact.

The 2026 agenda is anchored on the pillars of the African Union Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa (2020–2030), with a comprehensive focus on policy and regulation, digital infrastructure, digital skills, and innovation. These pillars will frame a series of high-level plenaries, technical sessions, and roundtables designed to address the continent’s most pressing digital challenges and opportunities.

Discussions on AI will explore how Africa can build its own AI stack, including talent development, access to compute infrastructure, and data governance frameworks. Stakeholders will examine the opportunities AI presents in sectors such as finance, healthcare, agriculture, and public service delivery, while also addressing emerging risks related to ethics, bias, security, and regulatory oversight.

DPI will be positioned as a foundational enabler of inclusive digital economies. Sessions will focus on digital identity systems, interoperable payment platforms, data exchange frameworks, and government service delivery models. The agenda will also examine how DPI can unlock cross-border trade, support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), and drive financial inclusion at scale.

Cybersecurity will form a critical pillar of the summit, with discussions centred on strengthening national and institutional resilience in the face of rising cyber threats. Topics will include cyber risk management, regulatory compliance, data protection, threat intelligence, and the growing intersection between cybersecurity and emerging technologies such as AI and cloud computing. Leaders will also explore strategies for building secure digital ecosystems that inspire trust among citizens, businesses, and investors.

Beyond these core themes, the summit will address broader issues shaping Africa’s digital trajectory, including digital trade, innovation ecosystems, startup growth, and public-private partnerships. Special focus will be placed on bridging infrastructure gaps, enhancing regional interoperability, and creating policy environments that support sustainable digital investment.

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 collaboration, and accelerating Africa’s journey toward a digitally empowered and globally competitive economy.

Connected Africa Summit 2026 is expected to attract a diverse audience of decision-makers and practitioners, offering a platform for knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and the showcasing of innovative solutions shaping the continent’s digital future.