Egypt is set to break new ground in 2026 as it hosts the debut edition of the “AI Everything Middle East & Africa” summit and exhibition from February 10 to 12 in the vibrant capital city of Cairo. Organized under the prominent GITEX GLOBAL banner and in collaboration with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the summit marks a pivotal moment for the region’s AI and digital innovation ecosystem.
Bringing together over 60 countries, the summit will welcome senior decision-makers, global technology firms, startups, AI specialists, and venture capitalists to catalyze AI collaboration, investment, and growth across the Middle East and Africa.
A Turning Point for AI in Egypt
By hosting the AI Everything MEA summit, Egypt reinforces its growing stature as a regional innovation and technology hub. Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Amr Talaat, highlighted how the summit underscores Egypt’s dedication to leveraging AI for economic and societal development and affirms global confidence in its technological capabilities.
Egypt’s ongoing investments in AI readiness—spanning infrastructure, data policy, capacity-building, and regulatory frameworks—reflect its commitment to a digitally empowered future.
Summit Highlights & Agenda
Expect a comprehensive slate of engaging sessions, including:
- A ministerial high-level forum focused on shaping global AI policy.
- A concurrent technology exhibition, showcasing AI applications across various key industries.
- Targeted panel discussions addressing areas such as large language models (LLMs), AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things), cloud architectures, and next-gen machine learning.
- Investor lounges hosting over 200 top venture capital leaders from the global GITEX ecosystem, providing an invaluable networking arena for promising AI startups.
- A hackathon to empower youth and tech communities—offering mentorship, collaboration, and proof-of-concept development opportunities throughout the event.
Egypt’s Strategic Role in Regional AI Advancement
Egypt’s hosting of the summit dovetails with its National AI Strategy (2025–2030), which outlines six foundational pillars including infrastructure, data governance, AI ecosystem development, talent-building, ethical guidelines, and scalable applications.
Additionally, Egypt’s burgeoning ICT sector—which accounted for over 5% of GDP in 2022–2023 and is projected to grow further—is a testament to its increasing significance as a tech power in the region.
Aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030
The summit is closely aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which prioritizes economic diversification through innovation and high-tech industries. By spotlighting AI within the region, Egypt sends a powerful signal about its readiness to lead in digital transformation and inclusive development.
What to Expect
Anticipate:
- Extensive global networking between governments, corporates, and innovators.
- Elevated investment-focused discussions and partnership opportunities.
- Practical demonstrations of AI solutions across sectors—from agriculture and healthcare to finance and education.
- A dynamic theatrical stage where startups pitch live to influential AI investors and policy leaders.
In Summary
The AI Everything Middle East & Africa Summit in Cairo is poised to be a landmark event in the region’s tech landscape. This summit places Egypt on the global AI map and sets the stage for wide-reaching collaboration, innovation, and sustainable development across the MEA region. As countries embrace AI as a catalyst for progress, Egypt is emerging as the keystone in that transition.
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