Kenya is set to host the 15th Annual Connected Africa Summit (CAS2026) from April 27 to 30 at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, bringing together senior government officials, private sector leaders and development partners to accelerate Africa’s digital transformation.
While making the announcement, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, noted that the summit will focus on delivering practical outcomes under the theme ‘Uniting Africa’s Innovation for an Inclusive Digital Market’.
Kabogo explained that this year’s meeting shifts emphasis from dialogue to measurable results, stressing that Africa must take charge of shaping rules governing its digital economy, including artificial intelligence, cross-border data flows and digital trade.
“The rules that will govern Africa’s digital economy for the next decade are being written now. Africa needs to write those rules, not inherit them,” he urged.
Further, the CS added that the summit will convene ministers from across the continent alongside key institutions such as the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and Smart Africa, making it one of the most significant digital economy gatherings in Africa this year.
Notably, Kabogo outlined three expected outcomes: an AfCFTA Digital Trade Implementation Sprint List to ease cross-border digital trade, an African Data Space Action Note to guide data governance and interoperability and a pipeline of bankable projects in connectivity, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and digital skills.
“These are not declarations that gather dust, but practical mechanisms with clear timelines and ownership,” he affirmed.
On the other hand, the CS also confirmed Safaricom as the title sponsor, highlighting the company’s role in advancing digital connectivity across the continent.
He further observed that despite growth in Africa’s digital economy, major challenges persist, including limited internet access, high broadband costs and inadequate rural connectivity.
“Today, just over a third of Africa’s population uses the internet. Connectivity still does not reach the majority of our rural citizens, and costs remain high,” he lamented.
In the meantime, Kabogo urged stakeholders to focus on implementation and tangible outcomes that will benefit citizens across the continent.
Speaking at the event, Principal Secretary (PS) for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, further added that the summit has evolved from a local forum into a continental platform influencing policy and innovation.
Tanui noted that the summit has contributed significantly to government policy direction and the rollout of major projects such as the National Optic Fibre Infrastructure, which has strengthened connectivity across the country.
He highlighted that Kenya has made progress in adopting advanced technologies, including 3G, 4G and 5G networks, as well as expanding fibre connectivity to homes and businesses.
Equally, the PS pointed out that initiatives such as the Presidential Digital Talent Programme have enabled more than 3,000 young people to gain experience in both public and private sectors, helping to build a skilled digital workforce.
He further stressed that the expansion of the summit to a continental level was driven by the need to address cross-border connectivity and digital integration challenges.
“We started seeing the need for solutions beyond one country and the importance of a bigger platform to address regional and continental issues, especially connectivity,” he recalled.
Additionally, Tanui highlighted ongoing regional initiatives such as the East Africa Trade Facilitation Project and the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project as key to strengthening digital and physical infrastructure across borders.
He also emphasized the importance of collective action in addressing emerging challenges such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and the dominance of global digital platforms.
“We are mainly users of global digital platforms. This summit provides an opportunity for Africa to position itself as a key player in developing these technologies,” stated the CS.
Tanui added that building resilient digital infrastructure will be critical in ensuring reliable connectivity and minimizing disruptions across the continent.
On his part, Safaricom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Peter Ndegwa maintained that the Techno has committed Sh22 million to become the title sponsor of the 2026 Connected Africa Summit, and will ensure the success of the conference.
Ndegwa reiterated that the conference will bring together Africa’s most influential decision makers to shape the continent’s digital transformation journey at a time when governments are accelerating efforts to modernise public services and expand digital access.
“Africa’s digital journey is at a point where it is no longer about what is possible, but what can work at scale. There has been strong progress in digitisation, but the focus now is on making systems work in a consistent and practical way,” he observed.
Similarly, the CEO emphasized that Governments need partners who can deliver integrated, secure, and practical solutions that improve how citizens experience services every day, including building solutions that are connected, secure, and designed around how people use services.
“We have supported the summit since its inception in 2009 and in that journey, we have seen firsthand how collaboration across government, industry, and partners has shaped the region’s digital agenda. Together, we have contributed to key milestones, from infrastructure expansion to the growth of the digital superhighway. These are not just policy wins. They are foundations for a functioning digital economy,” he asserted.
Meanwhile, the summit is expected to attract more than 1,500 delegates from over 30 countries and will feature high-level plenary sessions, ministerial engagements, private sector forums and exhibitions showcasing African innovations.
By Michael Omondi and Anita Kariuki
