5th Annual Africa Technology & Digital Innovation Conference
Tickets
5th Annual Africa Technology & Digital Innovation Conference
Programme Overview
Africa’s digital landscape is no longer just about "potential"—it is about utility and scale. By late 2026, the continent has transitioned from basic connectivity to a complex ecosystem of AI integration, cross-border digital trade, and sophisticated cyber threats. As digital infrastructure becomes the backbone of African economies, leaders must move beyond adoption to strategic mastery and governance.
The 5th Annual Africa Technology & Digital Innovation Conference serves as the premier gathering for CTOs, innovation leads, policy makers, and tech entrepreneurs. This year’s summit focuses on the "2026 Pivot": moving from simply having the technology to ensuring it is affordable, sovereign, and secure enough to drive the next decade of growth.
Why This Conference Matters Now
- The "Usage Gap" Crisis: While 4G/5G coverage has expanded to nearly 87% of the continent, the "Usage Gap" remains a significant hurdle. According to the GSMA State of Mobile Internet Connectivity Report (2025), over 60% of people covered by a signal are still not using mobile internet due to device affordability and digital literacy. We will address the "Handset Finance" models taking over the market.
- Rise of the "Afro-LLMs" (Digital Sovereignty): In early 2026, the global AI race highlighted a critical flaw: African languages and contexts are underrepresented. The African Union (AU) Digital Transformation Strategy (2020-2030) update emphasizes that for AI to work for Africa, it must be trained on African data. This conference explores the shift toward localized AI models in agriculture and healthcare.
- Launch of PAPSS 2.0 & Cross-Border Trade: Interoperability is the new gold. With the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) scaling across 40+ countries by mid-2026, the technical barriers to the AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) are falling. We discuss the tech stacks making "instant" cross-border payments a reality.
- The 2026 Cybersecurity "Hardening": As services move to the cloud, the cost of cybercrime in Africa has surged. The INTERPOL African Cyberthreat Assessment Report (2025) indicates that ransomware attacks on African SMEs rose by 40% year-on-year. There is an urgent need for regional "Security Operations Centers" (SOCs) and collaborative defense frameworks.
- Regulatory Clarity on Digital Assets: Following Kenya’s Draft VASP Regulations (March 2026), the National Treasury has signaled a "regulate-to-innovate" stance on blockchain. Tech leaders must now navigate a landscape where digital assets are being integrated into mainstream finance, requiring robust compliance and "Know Your Transaction" (KYT) protocols.
Key Focus Areas
- AI & Machine Learning: Moving from global models to localized "Afro-centric" AI solutions.
- FinTech Interoperability: Technical deep-dives into PAPSS and cross-border API standards.
- Infrastructure & 5G: Addressing the cost of hardware and the "Last Mile" connectivity challenge.
- Cyber Resilience: Building proactive defense systems against banking trojans and ransomware.
- Data Governance: Managing privacy, sovereignty, and cross-border data flows under new regulations.
- The Green Tech Pivot: Leveraging IoT and digital twins for climate-resilient agriculture and energy.
Who Should Attend
- Chief Technology Officers (CTOs) & CIOs
- Digital Transformation Leads & Innovation Managers
- FinTech Founders & Developers
- Policy Makers and Regulators from ICT & Treasury
- Cybersecurity Professionals and Risk Managers
- Data Scientists and AI Researchers
- Investors & Venture Capitalists in the Tech Space
Investment
Fee: KES 80,000 per participant (exclusive of VAT). This fee includes facilitation, a workshop certificate, training materials, and refreshments including tea/coffee and lunch during the sessions.
Payment Options
- Cheques payable to Finnet Institute Limited.
- Deposit to A/c No: 0100009611708, Stanbic Bank Kenya Ltd, Chiromo Branch and e-mail a scanned copy of the payment slip to Finnet Institute.