Government ministers and tech executives from around the world have gathered at the historic Sultan Hussein Kamel Palace in Cairo to launch Ai Everything Middle East & Africa Egypt 2026.
The invitation-only event, hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and organised by GITEX GLOBAL in partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency, sets the stage for the main conference on 11-12 February next year.
High-level officials, multinational technology firms and leading local innovators attended as Egypt aims to generate $42.7 billion annually from AI by 2030 and establish Cairo as the region’s hub for global collaboration. Discussions centred on aligning international expertise with Egypt’s National AI Strategy 2025-30 while enhancing the country’s edge in digital services, semiconductor manufacturing, government transformation and startup innovation.
“AI today is a core driver of economic and societal transformation,” said Eng Ahmed Elzaher, CEO of ITIDA. “Hosting Ai Everything MEA Egypt is part of Egypt’s mission to stay at the forefront of the global technology revolution.”
Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre and CEO of KAOUN International, described Egypt as entering an “AI renaissance”, adding that the show will empower both public and private sectors, as well as the country’s youth and startup talent.
Egypt’s Minister of Communications and Information Technology, H.E. Dr Amr Talaat, pointed to the country’s rise of 46 places in the global AI Readiness Index since 2019. The latest National AI Strategy prioritises expanding computing access, strong data governance, AI-driven sector growth, talent development, public awareness and supportive regulatory frameworks.
The evening closed with a panel on Egypt’s AI future featuring leaders from IBM, HPE, Deloitte Innovation Hub, Widebot AI, Intella and Plug & Play Tech Centre. Topics included scaling startups, accelerating deployment of new AI systems and forging stronger public-private partnerships.
Next year’s Ai Everything MEA Egypt will unite AI enterprises, investors, startups and policymakers from 60 countries at NCIEC Cairo. Global experts will address responsible AI growth and infrastructure, with showcases spanning semiconductors, digital health, cybersecurity, fintech and more.
One of the region’s largest startup-investor gatherings will seek to secure new funding and position Cairo as a key innovation capital in the Middle East and Africa.
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