Kenya has announced the launch of Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, a landmark event set to position the country as a continental hub for artificial intelligence, digital innovation, and cross-sector collaboration.
The event will debut in Nairobi from 19 to 21 May 2026, uniting global technology leaders, policymakers, investors, and startups.
Organised by KAOUN International the global organiser behind GITEX in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology of the Republic of Kenya and leading tech platform dx⁵, the initiative comes as Kenya steps up investment in digital infrastructure, AI innovation, hyperscale data centres, and green industrialisation.
The AI market is projected to add US$2.4 billion to Kenya’s GDP by 2030 and create over 300,000 jobs by 2028, and the event aims to attract strategic partnerships, investments, and inclusive technology deployment. It will also showcase Kenya’s growing regional and global leadership in AI and digital transformation.
Speaking on the significance of the event, Cabinet Secretary for ICT and the Digital Economy, Hon. William Kabogo Gitau, said:
“Hosting Ai Everything Kenya is both a recognition of our achievements and a call to action. AI is not just a tool for innovation, but a force for economic inclusion, public service reform, and sustainable development.”
He noted that the initiative aligns with the Kenyan AI Strategy, the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032, and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
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Dr. Korir Singoei, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs, highlighted the alignment of the event with Kenya’s emerging focus on technology diplomacy, citing Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025, which formalises tech cooperation within foreign policy frameworks.
Amb. Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology, described the launch as a milestone for Kenya’s role in shaping global tech norms:
“This moment affirms our stature as a trusted convener of global conversations on the future of technology… not only to solve local challenges but to shape global standards that reflect African values and realities.”
Harry Hare, Co-founder of dx⁵, emphasised the event’s collaborative and transformational scope:
”Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya is a platform for global partnerships and investment, and a signal of confidence in Kenya as a premier destination for innovation.”
Trixie LohMirmand, Executive Vice President of DWTC and CEO of KAOUN International, added that Kenya’s inclusion in the GITEX global portfolio underscores its rising status in the digital economy:
“This event will mark a major milestone in Kenya’s digital evolution and cast a global spotlight on its bold ambitions, local talent, and progressive policies.”
The 2026 summit will include a one-day global forum and a two-day exhibition focused on AI, agritech, cloud computing, cybersecurity, IoT, and sustainability. It will also foster cross-border partnerships, public-private cooperation, and scalable technology solutions.
Supported by Gulfood, the world’s largest food trade event, the summit is expected to amplify Kenya’s trajectory toward becoming a regional digital powerhouse advancing national priorities under Kenya Vision 2030 and the Digital Master Plan.
Further details and updates will be released in due course. For more information, visit www.GITEX.com.
