Published on
August 23, 2025
In 2026, Egypt welcomes the first annual “AI Everything Middle East and Africa” summit and exhibition, a landmark moment for the region’s technology landscape. Running from February 10 to 12, the event is expected to be one of the foremost launches for groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) advancements across the Middle East and Africa. Under the umbrella of GITEX GLOBAL and in close cooperation with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the summit will convene senior decision makers, leading global firms, emerging AI startups, technical authorities, and venture capital from more than 60 nations, forging a vibrant arena for cross-border cooperation and insights.
The convening is strategically designed to accelerate long-term digital transformation and deepen AI integration across six critical industries, allowing attendees to analyse working AI solutions in authentic usage cases. Serving as the region’s principal knowledge and contracting arena for artificial intelligence, the gathering will stimulate cross-continental alliances, facilitate the circulation of technical know-how, and spotlight high-value investment dossiers in a sector advancing at historic speed.
Highlighting the Role of AI in Egypt’s Vision
Egypt’s hosting of this prestigious summit reflects the country’s growing prominence on the global tech map and underscores its confidence in its technological and human capabilities. Minister of Communications and Information Technology Amr Talaat emphasized that this event is a reflection of Egypt’s commitment to leveraging AI technologies for both economic and social development. He noted that AI has become a key cornerstone in Egypt’s digital strategy, playing a pivotal role in driving economic growth and achieving sustainable development.
AI’s transformative power is recognized as essential in reshaping global competitiveness. Talaat explained that AI opens new opportunities for nations striving for progress and leadership in the digital era. By hosting this event, Egypt is positioning itself as a key player in the AI space, demonstrating its commitment to advancing this technology to benefit its society and the wider Middle East and Africa region.
Egypt’s National AI Strategy and Its Role in Regional Development
Ahmed Elzaher, CEO of ITIDA, highlighted the strategic importance of the “AI Everything” summit, positioning Egypt as a leading regional hub for AI, innovation, and development. The summit will play a crucial role in placing Egypt at the center of global technology discussions, making the country a key partner in shaping the future of AI.
The event is expected to attract significant investment, foster impactful partnerships, and facilitate technology transfer, empowering startups to transform innovative ideas into practical solutions. ITIDA has been actively involved in enabling Egyptian companies to develop AI solutions and applications, and the summit will extend its focus beyond the ICT sector to encompass a broader range of industries where AI is a key driver of growth.
A Comprehensive Agenda for the AI Everything Summit
The summit’s agenda encompasses a range of dynamic sessions and events, highlighted by a high-level ministerial gathering dedicated to shaping global AI policy. An international exhibition will run alongside, putting cutting-edge AI technologies and their applications centre stage. Focused panel discussions will examine priority themes, including large language models, next-generation machine learning paradigms, cloud infrastructure, and the rapidly evolving Artificial Intelligence of Things (AIoT).
To accelerate innovation and entrepreneurship, delegates will encounter expansive networking lounges reserved for high-profile global investors. Over 200 venture capital leaders drawn from the GITEX GLOBAL ecosystem are scheduled to attend, presenting a unique platform for startups to pitch original AI technologies and attract the strategic capital that scales tomorrow’s solutions.
In parallel, the summit will host a cross-disciplinary hackathon aimed at uplifting youth talent and steering its energy toward proof-of-concept initiatives. Participants will benefit from dedicated technical mentorship in cutting-edge AI applications and adjacent disciplines, equipping them with the framework and expertise necessary to transform visionary concepts into demonstrable prototypes before the week’s conclusion.
AI Development in the Middle East and Africa: Egypt’s Leadership
Egypt’s choice to host the “AI Everything Middle East and Africa” summit fits neatly into its larger goal of speeding up the use of artificial intelligence across the region. The nation has already made large strides by rolling out the National AI Strategy and by setting up the National AI Council, both of which underscore the depth of its commitment. Complementary to those pillars, the Applied Innovation Center and focused investments in education and workforce skills stretch the momentum, clearly signalling Egypt’s intention to lead in AI.
However, the vision extends beyond its borders. By networking early and regularly with neighbouring economies, Egypt hopes to ensure that AI growth in the region is equitable and collaborative. The summit, therefore, goes beyond being an event calendar entry; it is a working forum where national officials, industry leaders and technologists can, in real time, chart collective pathways and tackle the common barriers that stand in the way of an AI-powered Middle East and Africa.
Aligning with Egypt’s Vision 2030
The summit aligns with Egypt’s Vision 2030, which aims to diversify the country’s economy by focusing on high-tech industries and sustainable development. AI is recognized as a key enabler of economic diversification, and the summit will contribute to accelerating the implementation of the National AI Strategy. By bringing together stakeholders from around the world, the event will help to advance Egypt’s goals of building an inclusive and competitive digital economy.
Looking Ahead: The Future of AI in the Middle East and Africa
As the summit draws closer, the anticipation for this landmark event continues to grow. The “AI Everything Middle East and Africa” summit will not only put Egypt at the forefront of global AI discussions but also help to position the region as a leader in AI development. This event represents a significant milestone in the Middle East and Africa’s journey toward becoming a hub for AI innovation and digital transformation.
The growth of AI technology will continue to impact every sector of society, from healthcare to manufacturing, finance to agriculture. Egypt’s commitment to being a part of this transformation is clear, and the summit will serve as an essential stepping stone towards building a more digitally advanced future for the country and the wider region.
Conclusion: Egypt’s Commitment to the Future of AI
The 2026 “AI Everything Middle East and Africa” summit in Cairo is poised to be the turning point in Egypt’s quest to emerge as a world-class centre for AI and tech development. Egypt’s blueprint for innovation, ecological balance, and strategic cooperation is already defining the trajectory of artificial intelligence and digital evolution. While the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and fellow neighbours accelerate their AI projects, Egypt is increasingly the destination of choice for investors and visionaries eager to advance regional AI breakthroughs.
