KAOUN International CEO and Dubai World Trade Centre executive vice president Trixie LohMirmand ( R ) leads other officials during the announcement of Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya, scheduled for May 19–21 in Nairobi. HANDOUT
Kenya is set to strengthen its position on the global
technology stage as the Gulf Information Technology Exhibition (GITEX) moves to
the country and the East African region for the first time.
GITEX is one of the world’s largest and most influential tech
events, originating in Dubai and expanding globally. It features massive exhibitions, conferences, and startups
focused on AI, cloud, cybersecurity, and fintech.
Scheduled to take place in Nairobi between May 19 and 21 (next week), Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya will debut as East Africa’s largest AI and innovation ecosystem
event.
The landmark event comes at a time when Kenya is making
major investments in digital infrastructure, AI factories, hyperscale data
centres, and green industrialisation—all key pillars driving economic growth
and national resilience.
Organised by KAOUN International, the global force behind
GITEX, in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy on Technology of the
Republic of Kenya and dx⁵, Africa’s top technology driver, the summit is expected
to attract global attention to Kenya’s rapidly growing digital economy and
expanding influence in artificial intelligence.
With AI projected to contribute $2.4 billion to Kenya’s GDP
by 2030 and create more than 300,000 jobs by 2028, the event is expected to
accelerate investment, innovation, and partnerships across the continent while
promoting the responsible and inclusive adoption of emerging technologies.
Over the past 45 years, GITEX has evolved into one of the
world’s most influential technology exhibition brands, hosting events across
eight countries and five regions.
These are Germany, Kazakhstan, Morocco, Nigeria, Singapore,
Thailand, the UAE, and Vietnam. Kenya’s inclusion in the global GITEX portfolio signals
growing international confidence in Nairobi as a major technology and
innovation hub.
Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya is expected to bring
together policymakers, startups, investors, academia, private sector leaders,
creatives, civil society organisations, and development partners, positioning
Nairobi as a central meeting point for conversations shaping Africa’s digital
future.
According to Kenya’s Information, Communications and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo, the event is both a
recognition of Kenya’s progress and a call to action.
“Hosting Ai Everything Kenya is a recognition of Kenya’s
role in Africa’s digital transformation journey. Artificial intelligence is
becoming a key driver of economic inclusion, public service reform, and
sustainable development.”
Kenya’s recently launched AI strategy aligns with broader
national plans such as the Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032 and the
Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
During a briefing ahead of the summit, Foreign Affairs Principal
Secretary Korir Sing’oei said the event reinforces Nairobi’s ambition to become
a global hub for digital cooperation and innovation.
According to Sing’oei, Kenya’s technology diplomacy agenda—outlined
in Sessional Paper No. 1 of 2025—seeks to strengthen international
collaboration on emerging technologies, data governance, AI regulation, and
digital infrastructure.
Special Envoy on Technology Ambassador Philip Thigo also
described the summit as a strong affirmation of Kenya’s growing role in shaping
global technology conversations.
“This is more than a symbolic event,” Thigo said, “It
reflects Kenya’s commitment to using emerging technologies not only to solve
local challenges, but also to influence global standards in ways that are
inclusive, sustainable, and reflective of Africa’s aspirations.”
Harry Hare, Chairman and Co-founder of dx⁵, said the event
would catalyse Africa’s digital transformation by connecting
global innovators, policymakers, investors, and local talent.
KAOUN International CEO and DWTC Executive Vice President
Trixie LohMirmand said Kenya has already established itself as a powerful force
within Africa’s digital economy through innovation and homegrown technological
solutions.
She noted that the launch of Ai Everything Kenya x GITEX
Kenya would shine a global spotlight on Kenya’s progressive policies, emerging
infrastructure, talent, and ambitions while unlocking new opportunities for
public-private collaboration across the region.
The three-day event will feature a one-day global summit and
a two-day exhibition focused on six major themes shaping the future of Kenya’s
digital economy.
These are artificial intelligence, agritech, cloud computing, cybersecurity, the Internet of Things
(IoT), and sustainability.
Supported by Gulfood, the world’s largest food exhibition,
the event aims to strengthen cross-sector collaboration, attract investment,
support startups and SMEs, and accelerate Kenya’s digital transformation agenda
under Vision 2030 and the Kenya National Digital Master Plan.