Africa is entering a new phase of digital investment. Significant capital is flowing into AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, subsea cables, fibre networks and data centres across the continent, governments are shaping AI policy, and enterprises are moving from strategy to implementation. Africa Tech Festival, the continent’s longest running and most influential technology event, is where these conversations come together. Today, the event unveiled an expanded speaker line-up for its 29th edition, bringing together the leaders shaping Africa’s digital future and the decisions driving investment across the continent.
South Africa’s Minister of Communications & Digital Technologies, Hon. Solly Malatsi, whose department is a strategic partner of the event, will offer insight into building an inclusive, globally competitive digital economy. Global technology companies are represented by Managing Director, Africa, at Google, Alex Okosi, who will speak to the scale of investment flowing into the continent’s cloud and AI infrastructure; Africa Lead at OpenAI, Emmanuel Lubanzadio, focusing on AI adoption and readiness across African markets; and Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, at Amazon, Robert Koen.
They are joined by leaders from Africa’s telecommunications sector, including Chief Consumer Officer at MTN Group, Enzo Scarcella; Chief Executive Officer of Tunisie Telecom, Norbert Prihoda; and Group Vice President, Solutions & Architecture at Airtel Africa, Daddy Yogo Ngbabendo.
Also joining the programme are Managing Director, Africa, at Digital Realty, Marcel Louw, bringing a data centre perspective, alongside enterprise leaders Vice President, Information Technology, at Sasol, Thato Sopeng, and Senior Vice President, TMT, Corporate and Investment Banking, at Standard Bank Group, Linda Oniwe.
This speaker line-up reflects the biggest areas of investment and change happening across Africa today: connectivity, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, startups and enterprise transformation, and the breadth of sectors, regions and perspectives shaping this year’s programme.
Vice President of Africa Tech Festival, David Monaghan said: “What stands out this year is the pace of collaboration across industries. Investment is flowing, partnerships are forming, and the leaders joining us in Cape Town are turning conversation into action on some of Africa’s biggest digital challenges. That’s the role Africa Tech Festival plays: bringing people together to get things done.”
Many more senior leaders will be announced in the coming months, including ministers, enterprise CIOs, telecom operators, investors and global technology companies.
Africa Tech Festival 2026 marks the event’s 29th edition, returning to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from November 16 to 19, with content and expo sessions running from November 17 to 19.
Registration for Africa Tech Festival 2026 is now open and can be completed through the official portal (https://apo-opa.co/4pTVq6T).
