Nairobi recently became the epicenter of a landmark moment for African technology. The inaugural AI EVERYTHING KENYA x GITEX KENYA event kicked off on May 19, 2026, at the Sarit Expo Centre, marking an ambitious new chapter in East Africa’s quest to assert digital sovereignty and chart its own artificial intelligence story.
Organized by inD, the global force behind GITEX events, in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology of the Republic of Kenya, this three-day event is the largest of its kind in East Africa. It brought together government leaders, global investors, and tech pioneers to build an AI blueprint that reflects the continent’s unique diversity and economic aspirations.
H.E. Ambassador Philip Thigo, Special Envoy for Technology in the Office of the President of Kenya, set the tone for the event by emphasizing that AI is more than just an ICT upgrade; it is a critical investment agenda.
“Africa is open for business, open for investment, and ready to shape the future of artificial intelligence,” Ambassador Thigo stated. He highlighted that while the continent continues to bridge gaps in infrastructure and energy, it already possesses the essential ingredients for an AI revolution: green minerals, rich data, elite talent, and massive market opportunities.
The Inclusive AI EVERYTHING Summit featured over 400 C-suite delegates and industry experts who explored how AI can transform sectors like agriculture, finance, healthcare, and energy. Key themes included:
- Digital Sovereignty: The discussion shifted beyond simple data localization to the ownership of compute infrastructure, access to strategic datasets, and the creation of AI systems aligned with national priorities.
- Infrastructure Foundations: Industry leaders like Snehar Shah (CEO, iXAfrica Data Centres) noted that Kenya has established the fundamental platforms, pragmatic regulation, renewable power, and hyperscale cloud infrastructure required to make AI locally available.
- Commercial Scalability: A critical focus was moving AI from pilot programs to revenue-generating, real-world applications. Founders like Winnie Mangeni of PAWA AI showcased how African-built solutions, such as AI tools for Swahili speakers, are moving the continent from consumer to contributor.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of the global organizer of GITEX, noted that East Africa is uniquely positioned to change traditional development stages. “Collaboration is the new currency in the global AI race,” she said, emphasizing GITEX’s role in ensuring emerging markets have equal access to the global innovation economy.
As the event concludes at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the message is clear: East Africa is not waiting for the future of AI; it is building it.
