Egypt Hosts Region’s First AI Summit in 2026 as Sector Expected to Contribute US$1.5 Trillion to Africa & Middle East Economy

Egypt is set to host, for the first time, Ai Everything Middle East & Africa – Egypt 2026, the region’s inaugural all-AI global summit and exhibition, taking place on 11–12 February 2026 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center (EIEC) in Cairo. The event will bring together more than 350 global enterprises, startups, investments and innovation showcases, at a time when artificial intelligence is projected to contribute approximately US$1.5 trillion to Africa’s economy by 2030, according to international reports.

The event is organised under the umbrella of GITEX, the world’s largest technology and AI events network, and is hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) in collaboration with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA).

Egypt’s hosting of this global event underscores its growing leadership in artificial intelligence, ranking first in Africa for Government AI Readiness and third in the Arab region for AI Resilience, according to the Oxford Insights Index. Egypt also serves as a key regional gateway linking Africa and the Middle East, while playing a leading role in the development of Arabic-language AI solutions.

The summit supports the implementation of Egypt’s Second National AI Strategy by attracting investments, accelerating knowledge transfer, and connecting local innovation with regional and global markets—helping translate advanced technologies into sustainable economic value across multiple sectors.

Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026 will feature participation from more than 350 global enterprises and startups representing over 30 countries, showcasing real-world AI applications across cloud computing, cybersecurity, data centers, telecommunications, government services, healthcare, smart mobility, fintech, and digital payments. Participating global technology leaders include Microsoft, Cisco, HPE, Red Hat, Amazon Web Services, Capgemini, Dataiku, e& Egypt, and Fortinet, alongside leading regional players such as Alkan, CyShield, and Link Data Center. The event will also host regional and international AI-first companies choosing Cairo to showcase their solutions, including WideBot AI, EZELINK, Odoo, ZIWO, Zakaa, and Barq Systems.

Commenting on the significance of the event, Mohamed El Kassem, General Manager, Microsoft Egypt, said:“Artificialintelligence represents a strategic opportunity for countries with a clear vision for adoption. Egypt continues to move confidently toward building an AI-driven economy, supported by strong digital infrastructure and a growing pool of young talent that enables it to compete on a global scale.”

Hazem Metwally, CEO, e& Egypt, stated:“ AI has the potential of reshaping how businesses operate and accelerate productivity. Ai Everything MEA Egypt comes at a pivotal moment, and e& Egypt is proud to be part of its inaugural edition, bringing integrated AI, cloud and communication services that accelerate long-term, technology-led growth for Egypt.”

Shaden El Olimi, Chief Commercial Officer, Olimi AI, added:“Success in AI depends on rapid iteration, a deep understanding of real customer needs, and building solutions that truly reflect local and linguistic context. Ai Everything provides a unique platform to demonstrate how Arabic-speaking AI can deliver tangible, real-world impact across industries.”

The summit coincides with the continued growth of Egypt’s startup ecosystem, with Egyptian startups accounting for approximately 31% of total African startup funding during the first half of 2025. Participating startups include the UK-based Emotii, Germany’s Imensus, and Egyptian AI company Olimi AI, which specializes in voice AI solutions capable of understanding multiple Arabic dialects.

Ai Everything MEA Egypt 2026 will also feature participation from leading international policymakers, financiers, and AI infrastructure experts, including Dr. Michel Rogy, Digital Development Practice Head for Africa & Middle East at the World Bank; Zsuzsanna Hargitai, Managing Director, SME Finance & Development at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD); Marc Zakher, Vice President and General Manager for the Middle East, Türkiye and Africa at Cerebras; and Amr Elashmawi, Global Head and Vice President of Strategic Markets and Partnerships at Tenstorrent. Discussions on AI governance and its economic and social impact will also include Golestan Radwan, Chief Digital Officer at the United Nations Environment Programme, and Dr. Heather Domin, Vice President and Head of the Office of Responsible AI & Governance at HCLTech.