A new year always brings a familiar question for young Africans in tech: What’s next?

In 2026, Africa’s tech ecosystem is fully involved in the dynamics of global innovation.

From AI and fintech to deep tech, digital infrastructure, and creative technology, African tech conferences are helping sharpen cutting-edge ideas of young African innovators, connecting them with influential people, and presenting real-world opportunities.

Here are some tech conferences scheduled for the year that offer continental and international platforms to young, ambitious African tech professionals.

DLL Zanzibar

In East Africa, the Discover, Learn and Lead (DLL) Conference in Zanzibar, scheduled for the 16th – 19th January 2026, will be combining innovation discussions with sustainability and governance themes.

The conference reflects a growing recognition that Africa’s tech future is closely tied to broader social and economic frameworks, including the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

According to organisers, selected delegates can pitch projects, deliver keynote speeches, or serve as panelists, giving early-career professionals visibility typically reserved for established figures.

GTEX Morocco

North Africa is also strengthening its role in the continent’s tech ecosystem. GITEX Africa, slated for Morocco from April 7 to 9, 2026, has become one of the largest technology exhibitions on the continent, drawing startups, investors, and policymakers from Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

For young African entrepreneurs, the event offers a rare opportunity to observe global technology trends at scale while positioning African products and services in international markets.

Organisers announced the 2025 edition of GITEX Africa, which was held in Marrakech from April 14–16, attracted more than 45,000 participants from over 130 countries and featured around 1,400 exhibitors, underscoring its rapid growth as Africa’s largest tech and startup gathering.

Tech Summit Nairobi

To East Africa, where Nairobi continues to consolidate its reputation as a hub for policy-driven technology conversations. Africa Tech Summit Nairobi, scheduled for Feb 11th -12th, 2026, brings together corporate leaders, fintech executives, regulators, and investors.

The conference provides a clearer understanding of how regulatory environments shape the growth of digital finance and telecommunications across the continent for young professionals, according to organisers.

AfricaCom Cape Town

In Southern Africa, Africa Tech Festival, anchored by AfricaCom in Cape Town, remains one of the continent’s most established technology convenings.

With multiple co-located events covering telecoms, artificial intelligence, cloud infrastructure and startups, the festival reflects the increasing convergence of technologies driving Africa’s digital transformation.

Smaller but increasingly influential gatherings are also gaining traction. The Africa Deep Tech Conference scheduled for Lagos from February 24 -27 is part of the Omniverse Africa initiative, which focuses on frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics and biotechnology.

These events are drawing African researchers and founders whose work extends beyond consumer applications into complex scientific and industrial challenges.

Building connections

Organisers stress it connects builders, founders, funders, corporates, policymakers, and researchers to accelerate frontier technology innovation across the continent.

Platforms such as Africa Technology Expo, scheduled for June, also in Lagos, are targeting enterprise technology and startup ecosystems, and highlighting a shift from ideation toward adoption and scale.

These conferences attract corporate decision-makers alongside emerging innovators, reflecting growing demand for practical, industry-ready solutions.

Beyond Africa, international technology festivals are also drawing interest from young African innovators seeking exposure to global ecosystems.

Teknofest

In Türkiye, Teknofest, one of the world’s largest aerospace, technology and innovation festivals — has emerged as a major platform for youth-led innovation.

Held annually across different Turkish cities, Teknofest brings together students, startups, engineers and technology companies around competitions in areas such as robotics, artificial intelligence, aviation, space technologies and smart systems.

With a strong focus on hands-on experimentation and problem-solving, the festival offers young participants practical experience, visibility and access to mentors and industry players, highlighting the growing role of Türkiye as a bridge between emerging tech talent from Africa, Europe and Asia.