Under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic
Global Africa Tech
One Convergence.
March 28-30, 2026 • CIC - Algiers
Participants
Countries
Exhibitors
The Countdown Begins
Join Africa's most influential gathering of technology leaders and policymakers.
March 28-30, 2026
International Conference Center (CIC)
Algiers, Algeria
Why Global Africa Tech?
Why This Summit Matters
In a global context shaped by technological competition, geopolitical tensions, and increasing digital dependency, Africa must control its networks, secure its infrastructure, and protect its data flows.
Global Africa Tech 2026, held under the High Patronage of the President of the Republic and led by the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, provides a continental, institutional platform to align public policy, infrastructure strategy, investment, and innovation around a shared African vision.
African control over networks, infrastructure, and data flows
Aligning public policy, infrastructure, investment, and innovation
Accelerating Africa's long-term technological autonomy
A shared African approach to telecommunications and connectivity
A Unified Architecture for Africa's Digital Future
Global Africa Tech 2026 adopts a holistic approach to telecommunications, structured around four interdependent connectivity pillars.
ONE CONVERGENCE
CIC ALGIERS
- Pillar 01
- SEA
Maritime Infrastructure & Security
Protecting Africa's digital lifelines.
- Security and resilience of submarine cables
- Smart ports and connected coastal zones
- Integrated transport–energy–fiber corridors
- Strengthening Africa's role in global data circulation
- Pillar 02
- LAND
Terrestrial Sovereignty
Connecting territories. Mastering networks.
- Pan-African and trans-Saharan fiber optic corridors
- Regional data centers and interconnection points
- Inclusive and rural broadband connectivity
- Network security, resilience, and AI-driven maintenance
ONE CONVERGENCE
CIC ALGIERS
- Pillar 03
- AIR
Air & Space Connectivity
Africa in the air and in orbit.
- Development of African communication satellites
- Continental cooperation under the African Space Agency
- 5G, aerial platforms, and autonomous connectivity systems
- Satellite services for education, health, and emergency response
ONE CONVERGENCE
CIC ALGIERS
ONE CONVERGENCE
CIC ALGIERS
- Pillar 04
- SPACE
Strategic Convergence
Toward Earth–Air–Sea–Space integration.
- Interoperability across infrastructures and networks
- Cross-sector governance and financing models
- Long-term continental digital sovereignty
WHO ATTENDS?
A High-Level Continental Gathering
Telecommunications & ICT
Continental & International
Development Partners
Telecom, AI & Space
Africa & Global partners
Operators & Innovators
Featured Speakers
The world's foremost voices in telecommunications, technology, and digital leadership.
Mr. Sid Ali Zerrouki
Mr. Nelson Mario de Carvalho Rosa Cardoso
H.E Selma Malika HADDADI
H.E Ahmed Osman Dirie
Mr. Sekou Kromah
Mr. Adji Ali Salatou
Our Sponsors
Trusted By Industry Leaders
Three-Day Journey
From terrestrial networks to orbital sovereignty, explore Africa's complete telecommunications ecosystem.
Backbone, Fiber, Data Centers, Rural Connectivity
The official inauguration of Global Africa Tech 2026, Africa’s first pan-African summit dedicated to digital sovereignty and the future of continental connectivity. High-level dignitaries, ministers, and industry leaders set the stage for three days of strategic dialogue structured around the summit’s four pillars: Land, Air, Sea, and Space.
A high-level address on the urgency of aligning spectrum policies, technical standards, and regulatory frameworks across the continent. As African nations prepare for next-generation networks, harmonization is the precondition for interoperability, cost reduction, and a seamless digital experience across borders.
An overview of the investment, engineering, and policy challenges involved in extending reliable telecom infrastructure to every corner of the continent. From fiber backbone expansion to rural last-mile connectivity, this keynote
The summit’s flagship panel, directly addressing the event’s central theme. Panelists explore how the convergence of terrestrial, satellite, submarine, and aerial networks can create a unified, secure, and sustainable communications ecosystem for Africa — and what policy, investment, and cooperation frameworks are needed to make it happen.
A keynote by InstaDeep, the Tunisian-founded AI company acquired by BioNTech for $682 million — the largest tech acquisition in African history. From biotech to logistics and decision-making systems, this session explores how African-born AI innovation is competing on the global stage and what it means for the continent’s technological sovereignty
A deep dive into 5G as the backbone of Africa’s next-generation digital infrastructure. This keynote covers the technical foundations, deployment strategies, and transformative potential of 5G networks for African economies, industries, and public services.
Who controls Africa’s digital infrastructure controls its future. This panel examines the geopolitical dimensions of infrastructure ownership, the strategic dependencies created by foreign-built networks, and what genuine digital sovereignty looks like in practice for African nations.
Fiber is not just a cable — it is the physical foundation of the AI economy. This keynote argues that without sovereign control over fiber manufacturing and deployment capacity, African nations risk permanent dependence in the emerging data-driven global order.
Submarine cables carry over 95% of intercontinental data. This panel explores the undersea infrastructure connecting Africa to the global internet — its vulnerabilities, the geopolitics of cable landing stations, and the strategic imperative for African nations to own and protect these critical assets.
A strategic address on how 5G deployment can serve as an engine for industrial transformation, not just consumer connectivity. The keynote connects 5G infrastructure to manufacturing competitiveness, smart agriculture, and the broader quest for African digital self-determination.
An exploration of the emerging world of autonomous AI agents — systems that can plan, reason, and execute complex tasks independently. This session examines how agentic AI is reshaping industries and what implications it holds for African innovation, enterprise automation, and digital public services.
A live technical showcase demonstrating a complete 5G Standalone deployment built on Open RAN architecture. Open RAN disaggregates network hardware and software, enabling African operators to reduce vendor lock-in, lower costs, and build more flexible, sovereign network infrastructure.
A hands-on masterclass by SES, one of the world’s leading satellite operators. Participants explore how satellite connectivity solutions — including Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellations — are bridging Africa’s coverage gaps, enabling enterprise connectivity, and supporting government communications in remote and underserved areas
Gara Djebilet is one of the world’s largest iron ore deposits, now entering industrial production with a 950 km rail link connecting it to Algeria’s processing and export infrastructure. This panel examines how advanced telecommunications — from remote monitoring to real-time logistics coordination — are essential to operating mega-projects of this scale and complexity.
A technical deep dive into the security and resilience of Africa’s submarine cable systems. Participants examine real-world vulnerabilities, repair logistics, redundancy strategies, and the legal and sovereign dimensions of protecting the undersea infrastructure on which Africa’s digital economy depends.
A strategic panel bringing together policymakers and telecom leaders to discuss how national telecom infrastructure strategies can be designed to preserve sovereignty while attracting investment. Topics include data localization, network ownership models, and the balance between openness and strategic autonomy.
A forward-looking keynote at the intersection of neuroscience and connectivity. As brain-computer interfaces move from research labs to early commercial applications, this session explores the ethical, technological, and strategic implications — and asks what role Africa should play in governing and developing these frontier technologies.
The next frontier of connectivity is not terrestrial or satellite — it is both. This panel explores how 5G ground networks and satellite systems (LEO, MEO, GEO) are converging to deliver seamless coverage, especially in Africa’s vast underserved geographies where terrestrial-only solutions are insufficient.
As Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite constellations reshape global connectivity, this keynote examines the policy and partnership frameworks African nations need to harness LEO while safeguarding sovereignty. In a world of competing tech blocs and fragmented governance, how can Africa secure equitable access to orbital infrastructure?
A technical workshop on how cloud-native architectures are transforming telecom operations. Participants explore microservices, containerization, and platform-based delivery models that enable operators to launch smart services faster, scale more efficiently, and reduce infrastructure costs.
Ports are where physical trade and digital infrastructure converge. This workshop examines how smart port technologies — IoT sensors, automated logistics, real-time data platforms — combined with integrated transport corridors can transform Africa’s coastal hubs into engines of continental connectivity and commerce.
A high-level roundtable examining the intersection of AI and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) — the foundational systems of digital payments, digital identity, and data exchange that underpin modern public services. Drawing on frameworks like the global 50-in-5 initiative, this session asks how African nations can design, deploy, and govern AI-augmented public infrastructure that is inclusive, interoperable, and sovereign.
A technical keynote exploring how artificial intelligence is being embedded into the design and operation of next-generation network architectures. From self-optimizing networks to predictive maintenance and intelligent traffic management, this session presents the state of the art in AI-driven telecom systems.
A data-driven keynote examining the macroeconomic impact of 5G deployment. Drawing on global case studies and African economic modelling, this session quantifies how 5G infrastructure investment translates into GDP growth, job creation, and industrial productivity gains across key sectors.
With vast rural and remote territories still unconnected, satellite-based solutions are essential to closing Africa’s digital divide. This panel examines current and planned satellite networks, the economics of satellite connectivity for underserved regions, and the sovereignty considerations involved in relying on foreign-operated constellations.
A hands-on masterclass on designing cloud infrastructure that is both resilient and sovereign. Participants explore data center strategies, multi-cloud architectures, disaster recovery frameworks, and governance models that allow African nations to host and control their own critical digital services.
An extended technical workshop for practitioners building with AI agent frameworks. Participants go hands-on with agent architectures, tool-use patterns, multi-step reasoning, and deployment strategies — moving beyond theory into practical implementation of autonomous AI systems.
A comprehensive keynote on the governance architecture required for a truly African telecom ecosystem. Topics include continental spectrum coordination, institutional frameworks for cross-border network governance, and the mechanisms needed to translate political will into operational sovereignty.
Digital twins — virtual replicas of physical systems — are transforming how networks, cities, and industrial assets are designed and operated. This technical masterclass demonstrates how AI-driven digital twins enable predictive optimization of telecom networks, infrastructure planning, and operational efficiency at scale
5G, Operators, Satellites, Autonomous Systems
A dedicated session on the global 50-in-5 initiative, a country-led campaign supported by the UNDP, the Gates Foundation, and partners aiming to help 50 countries design, launch, and scale Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) — including digital payments, digital identity, and data exchange systems — by 2028. Panelists discuss where Africa stands in this journey and how the continent can accelerate safe, inclusive DPI deployment.
Africa’s leading telecom operators are not just connectivity providers — they are economic platforms. This panel brings together operator executives to discuss market expansion strategies, the competitive dynamics of African telecom, and the leadership models needed to scale operations across diverse and challenging markets.
Where data is stored, who processes it, and under which jurisdiction — these questions define digital sovereignty. This panel examines national data platform strategies, localization requirements, and the tension between open data ecosystems and sovereign control, with case studies from across the continent.
A specialized workshop addressing the growing threat of state-sponsored cyberattacks targeting African mobile networks. Participants examine real-world threat scenarios, signalling vulnerabilities (SS7, Diameter), and the defensive architectures required to protect sovereign communications infrastructure from sophisticated adversaries.
At the frontier of convergence between neuroscience, AI, and connectivity, this panel explores how 5G’s ultra-low latency and massive bandwidth are enabling entirely new applications in brain-computer interfaces, neural data processing, and cognitive computing — and what this means for African healthcare, research, and innovation.
As digital systems become increasingly capable of detecting and responding to human emotions, this keynote examines the ethical, design, and policy implications of Emotion AI. How can Africa build digital infrastructure that is not only technically sound but genuinely human-centric, trustworthy, and respectful of cultural context?
Digital trust is infrastructure. This keynote explores the architectural foundations of trust in digital systems — from identity verification and encryption to transparent governance of shared digital resources. The session argues for treating digital commons as a public good requiring deliberate governance, not market forces alone.
A focused session on the security and legal frameworks governing submarine telecom cables between Africa and Europe. Participants examine cross-jurisdictional challenges, international maritime law, sabotage risks, and the cooperative frameworks needed to protect the critical undersea links that carry the vast majority of Africa-Europe data traffic.
Women are not only participants in Africa’s digital transformation — they are leading it. This panel spotlights women executives, technologists, and policymakers who are shaping the continent’s digital landscape, and addresses the systemic barriers and structural opportunities for accelerating gender equity in the African tech ecosystem.
A continuation of the Day 1 exploration of LEO satellite policy, this session digs deeper into the partnership architectures and regulatory frameworks required for African nations to negotiate fair access to emerging orbital infrastructure in an increasingly fragmented geopolitical environment.
A closed-format session bringing together ministers and senior government officials for direct policy dialogue on the strategic priorities emerging from the summit. This session provides a space for high-level decision-makers to align positions, explore bilateral cooperation, and translate summit insights into actionable policy commitments.
A critical panel on the ethical and regulatory dimensions of Africa’s digital transformation. Panelists address AI governance, data protection regulation, algorithmic accountability, and the challenge of building regulatory frameworks that are robust enough to protect citizens while flexible enough to encourage innovation.
Africa’s infrastructure ambitions require massive capital mobilization. This panel examines innovative financing models — from blended finance and development bank instruments to sovereign wealth funds and private equity — that can fund telecom expansion at continental scale while preserving ownership and sovereignty.
A session exploring how digital technologies — IoT, AI, robotics, cloud computing — are transforming Africa’s industrial base. From smart manufacturing to predictive maintenance and supply chain optimization, participants examine real-world applications of Industry 4.0 principles in African contexts.
An extended masterclass by Huawei, one of the world’s leading telecom infrastructure providers and a major investor in African connectivity. This three-hour session covers Huawei’s technology portfolio for African markets — from 5G and cloud services to AI-powered network operations — and explores partnership models for accelerating digital transformation across the continent
A technical workshop on the hardware and infrastructure foundations of AI at scale. Participants explore GPU cluster architectures, high-performance computing (HPC) deployment, energy efficiency strategies, and the specific challenges of building AI compute capacity on the African continent.
Modern telecom operators depend on complex IT ecosystems for service delivery, customer management, and network operations. This panel examines how operators are modernizing their IT infrastructure, adopting collaborative platforms, and leveraging automation to improve operational efficiency and accelerate time to market.
With Africa’s median age under 20, digital inclusion is fundamentally a youth issue. This workshop addresses the specific challenges and opportunities of connecting Africa’s youngest generation — from digital literacy and skills development to entrepreneurship, employment pathways, and the design of youth-centric digital services.
Submarine Cables, Smart Ports, Integrated Corridors
A session bridging the gap between large-scale infrastructure and startup innovation. Participants explore how the agility, speed, and problem-solving culture of African startups can complement the scale and capital of incumbent infrastructure players — and how sovereign digital ecosystems can be built through this collaboration.
A focused panel on Algeria’s AI research landscape and its role within the broader African innovation ecosystem. Panelists discuss the state of AI research in Algerian universities and labs, the relationship between academic research and industrial application, and how Algeria can position itself as a sovereign center of AI capability on the continent.
An interactive, high-energy session designed to move from strategy to execution. Stratcamp brings together selected participants for a focused sprint on translating summit ideas into concrete, actionable roadmaps — bridging the gap between conference insights and real-world implementation.
A keynote by Ookla, the global leader in internet performance measurement, presenting its broadband mapping initiatives for Africa. Using Speedtest data and advanced analytics, this session demonstrates how data-driven mapping tools can help governments, regulators, and operators identify coverage gaps, prioritize investment, and measure the real-world impact of connectivity programs.
Algeria sits at the geographic crossroads between the Mediterranean and sub-Saharan Africa. This session examines the vision for a Trans-Saharan digital backbone — a terrestrial fiber corridor linking North Africa to West and Central Africa through Algerian territory — and positions Algeria as a critical hub in Africa’s pan-continental connectivity architecture.
As AI systems are increasingly deployed in critical infrastructure — power grids, telecom networks, transportation systems — questions of governance and legal accountability become urgent. This session examines who is responsible when AI fails in critical systems, and what legal and governance frameworks are needed to ensure accountability, transparency, and public safety.
The intersection of AI, cybercrime, and digital sovereignty is creating a new geopolitical reality. This session examines how AI is being used both offensively and defensively in cybercrime, the sovereignty implications of cross-border digital threats, and the emerging legal and institutional order needed to protect African digital ecosystem
A policy-focused session presenting a structured four-pillar framework for building African digital sovereignty. Moving beyond connectivity as a standalone goal, the session argues that true sovereignty requires coordinated action across infrastructure, data governance, human capital, and institutional capacity — and presents concrete policy recommendations for each pillar.
The official closing of Global Africa Tech 2026. Key takeaways, declarations, and commitments emerging from three days of dialogue are presented. This ceremony marks not an ending but a beginning — a call to action for the concrete implementation of the summit’s shared vision for a digitally sovereign, connected, and converged Africa
Strategic Alliances
Institutional Partners
Collaborating with leading continental and international organizations for Africa's digital future.
Amplification & Outreach
Media Partners
Partnering with influential media platforms to amplify conversations and showcase Africa’s digital transformation.
Join 5,000+ participants from 45 countries for three days of strategic dialogue, policy discussions, and innovation showcases. Connect with continental leaders, explore investment opportunities, and contribute to Africa's digital transformation.
March 2026
Algiers
Days