Nairobi: Kenya is set to host the 15th Annual Connected Africa Summit (CAS2026) from April 27 to 30 at the Edge Convention Centre in Nairobi, bringing together senior government officials, private sector leaders and development partners to accelerate Africa's digital transformation.
According to Kenya News Agency, Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Information, Communications and the Digital Economy, William Kabogo, announced that the summit will focus on delivering practical outcomes under the theme 'Uniting Africa's Innovation for an Inclusive Digital Market'. Kabogo emphasized the shift from dialogue to measurable results, highlighting Africa's role in shaping the rules of its digital economy, including artificial intelligence, cross-border data flows and digital trade.
Kabogo stressed the importance of Africa writing its own digital economy rules, rather than inheriting them. The summit will gather ministers from across the continent and key institutions like the African Union, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat and Smart Africa, marking it as a significant digital economy gathering in Africa this year.
The CS outlined three anticipated outcomes from the summit: an AfCFTA Digital Trade Implementation Sprint List to ease cross-border digital trade, an African Data Space Action Note for data governance and interoperability, and a pipeline of bankable projects in connectivity, digital infrastructure, cybersecurity and digital skills. He underscored that these are practical mechanisms with clear timelines and ownership, not mere declarations.
Safaricom has been confirmed as the title sponsor, with Kabogo highlighting the company's role in advancing digital connectivity across the continent. He also noted ongoing challenges in Africa's digital economy, including limited internet access, high broadband costs and inadequate rural connectivity, with just over one-third of the population using the internet.
Principal Secretary (PS) for ICT and the Digital Economy, Eng. John Tanui, remarked that the summit has evolved from a local forum to a continental platform influencing policy and innovation. He noted the summit's significant contributions to government policy direction and major projects like the National Optic Fibre Infrastructure, which has enhanced connectivity across Kenya.
Tanui highlighted Kenya's progress in adopting technologies like 3G, 4G and 5G networks, and expanding fibre connectivity to homes and businesses. The Presidential Digital Talent Programme has also enabled over 3,000 young people to gain valuable experience in the digital workforce.
He emphasized the need for a continental platform to address cross-border connectivity and digital integration challenges, recalling the importance of regional and continental solutions. Tanui pointed to regional initiatives such as the East Africa Trade Facilitation Project and the Horn of Africa Gateway Development Project as crucial for strengthening digital and physical infrastructure across borders.
Tanui also highlighted the importance of collective action in tackling emerging challenges like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and global digital platform dominance. He stated that the summit provides an opportunity for Africa to position itself as a key player in developing these technologies and stressed the need for resilient digital infrastructure to ensure reliable connectivity across the continent.