GITEX Africa 2026 Kicks Off in Marrakech With Over 1,450 Exhibitors From 145 Countries
Marrakech – The fourth edition of GITEX Africa Morocco opened its doors this morning in Marrakech, bringing together more than 1,450 exhibitors and startups from over 145 countries for what organizers describe as the continent’s largest technology and digital economy gathering.
The three-day event runs through April 9 under the theme “Catalyzing Africa’s Digital Economy in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.” The Digital Development Agency (ADD) and KAOUN International, a subsidiary of the Dubai World Trade Centre, are organizing the event under the authority of Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform.
The opening ceremony brought together Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, Minister Delegate for Digital Transition Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Cameroon’s Ambassador to Morocco and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps Mouhamadou Youssifou, AfCFTA Secretary General Wamkele Mene, US Ambassador to Morocco Richard Duke Buchan III, GITEX Africa Morocco CEO Trixie LohMirmand, and ADD Director General Amine El Mezouaghi.
Speaking to the audience, Akhannouch said the government had transformed the digital sector from scattered initiatives into a comprehensive national strategy. He noted that the sector’s investment budget grew from MAD 11 million ($1.1 million) to over MAD 1.7 billion ($170 million) between 2021 and 2024, reflecting what he described as a qualitative shift in public policy.
“Morocco is ready to receive your investments. This readiness is the result of the committed leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who made the kingdom a land of opportunity,” Akhannouch told investors and entrepreneurs at the ceremony. He added that Morocco now has a generation of developers, engineers, and entrepreneurs who are capable of competing globally.
Akhannouch also announced that Morocco had risen 14 places in the government AI readiness index in 2025, and outlined progress on 5G deployment targeting 45% population coverage by the end of 2026. The country has also surpassed 1.4 million fiber-optic home subscriptions and received its first major cloud hyperscaler investment, creating over 700 jobs.
“GITEX Africa stems from one core idea: giving Africa a platform to speak for itself. After four editions, I believe that has been achieved,” Akhannouch said. “Africa has the youth, the energy, and the ambition. What it needs today are ecosystems that target business, create real jobs, and open markets to one another.”
This year’s edition marks a significant expansion from previous years. Organizers expect more than 55,000 attendees, over 700 international speakers, and around 400 investors from more than 40 countries who collectively manage over $350 billion in assets.
New participating countries this year include Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Guinea, Hungary, Luxembourg, Thailand, and Zambia.
The event covers a broad spectrum of sectors, from artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to fintech, agritech, healthtech, data centers, smart cities, and future mobility. The latter is a newly expanded focus area for this edition, spotlighting innovations in transportation, smart infrastructure, and sustainable systems.
“GITEX Africa stems from one core idea: giving Africa a platform to speak for itself. After four editions, I believe that has been achieved,” Akhannouch said. “Africa has the youth, the energy, and the ambition. What it needs today are ecosystems that target business, create real jobs, and open markets to one another.”
Seghrouchni positioned Morocco as what she called a “balancing technological power” capable of connecting Europe, Africa, and the Atlantic in the current geopolitical recomposition. “The Kingdom of Morocco offers more than a hub – it offers a connective thread,” she told attendees, adding that Morocco is betting on technology to serve a new model of sovereignty that balances innovation with responsibility.
A central pillar of the event remains North Star Africa, described as the continent’s largest startup showcase. More than 800 local and international startups are taking part this year, supported by scale-up programs, talent academies, diaspora initiatives, and hands-on training workshops designed to help founders pitch, grow, and secure funding.
Morocco is also expanding its domestic presence through the “Morocco 300” initiative, a government-backed program that increases the participation of Moroccan startups by 50% compared to last year’s “Morocco 200” program.
The ministry covers 95% of participation costs for the selected startups and provides preparatory bootcamps, structured B2B matchmaking sessions, and direct access to international investors.
The presence of France’s Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence, Anne Le Hénanff, indicates the growing international attention the event commands. Her visit aims to showcase French-Moroccan partnerships in the digital sector and highlight the French technology ecosystem’s presence in Morocco.
International delegations are also bringing their own startup cohorts. The Korea-Africa Foundation, for the third consecutive year, is showcasing seven Korean startups exploring expansion into African markets, spanning sectors from healthcare diagnostics to AI-powered agricultural solutions.
Sustainability and greentech occupy a prominent space in this year’s programming. Organizers have positioned digital innovation, particularly AI, as a tool for sustainable development – improving infrastructure, strengthening public policy, and accelerating the deployment of technologies tailored to African realities.
The investor matchmaking program remains one of the event’s key draws. GITEX Africa promotes itself as the continent’s largest tech matchmaking platform, offering curated introductions and one-on-one meetings between startups and investors. In the previous edition, agritech startup Deepleaf secured $50,000 in funding through the event’s competitions.
With approximately 375 million young professionals expected to enter Africa’s workforce by 2030, GITEX Africa positions itself as a strategic bridge connecting the continent’s growing talent pool with global capital, mentorship, and markets.
The event runs until April 9 at Marrakech’s Place Bab Jdid.
Read also: GITEX Africa 2026: What to Know Before You Go
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