Connected Africa Summit 2026 opens in Nairobi
Date: 2026-04-27
By: Kanto Kai Okanta
The
15th Annual Connected Africa Summit 2026 has officially commenced in Nairobi,
bringing together policymakers, industry leaders and digital economy
stakeholders to shape the continent’s connectivity and innovation agenda.
The
summit opened with a high-level Ministerial Breakfast hosted by Cabinet
Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy William Kabogo, setting the tone for
discussions on Africa’s digital future. The session convened ministers from
across the continent, alongside key dignitaries and stakeholders, to deliberate
on strategies for accelerating digital transformation.
Also
in attendance were Principal Secretary for ICT and Digital Economy John Tanui
and ICT Authority Chief Executive Officer Jessy Maruti, reflecting strong
government leadership and commitment to building a connected and inclusive
digital ecosystem.
The
four-day summit, which will be officially launched on Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at
the Edge Convention Centre in South C, is expected to drive dialogue on key
priorities including digital infrastructure, policy alignment, cybersecurity
and innovation.
Speaking on the opening day, Tanui emphasised the importance of the summit as a platform for collaboration, noting that trust and cybersecurity remain foundational to Africa’s digital progress. Maruti highlighted the continent’s opportunity to harness innovation and connectivity to drive inclusive growth through coordinated action.
ICT
Authority Board Chairperson Lily Ng’ok said Africa is witnessing steady growth
in technology adoption, innovation and investment, positioning the continent to
play a stronger role in the global digital economy.
The
summit is expected to facilitate partnerships and policy alignment aimed at
accelerating Africa’s digital transformation and strengthening regional
integration.
