Brief (809)
From June 17 to 20, Viva Technology marks its 10th anniversary at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles, bringing together 180,000 participants, 14,000 startups and 3,600 investors. The event gathers the global tech ecosystem around artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital health and sustainability, aiming to drive innovation, partnerships and investment.
From April 27 to 30, 2026, the Connected Africa Summit is bringing together more than 1,500 policymakers, innovators and tech leaders from 30 countries in Nairobi. This year’s theme — "Shaping The Future of a Connected Africa: Unlocking Growth Beyond Connectivity" — highlights discussions on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, digital identity and digital public infrastructure, with a focus on turning ideas into concrete action to support economic development across the continent.
On June 29-30, 2026, the Global AI Show will gather more than 10,000 participants in Riyadh under the theme “AI 2030: Accelerating Intelligent Futures.” More than 100 speakers will discuss machine learning, robotics, and sector-specific applications with policymakers, startups, and investors. The event aims to advance artificial intelligence innovation across the region and beyond.
On Wednesday, June 17, CYSEC MENA will bring together technology decision-makers, security officers and experts in Manama, Bahrain, for a three-day conference on regional cyber threats. The agenda includes panels on critical infrastructure protection, IT/OT strategies, compliance and digital resilience. The event is expected to promote international collaboration and networking among governments, businesses and cybersecurity solution providers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Gebeya (Ethiopia) and VukaOS (South Africa) are joining forces to combine their artificial intelligence technologies and create a seamless pipeline from planning to execution for entrepreneurial projects. Entrepreneurs validate their ideas on VukaOS and then bring them to life in Dala Studio, a no-code platform that allows users to build apps, websites, games, and multimedia content using natural language.
European venture capital firm Speedinvest is launching its first fund focused on growth-stage companies in the Middle East and Africa, backed by the Qatar Investment Authority, Mubadala and the European Investment Bank. With $1.4 billion in assets under management, the initiative strengthens ties between Europe and the Middle East and Africa, giving founders direct access to a global network of experts and strategic investors.
Qubators, a Christian network of technology experts and innovators, is launching AI Foundry — a free, intensive program designed to help students and young professionals move beyond using artificial intelligence tools to building applications. Guided by mentors, participants design, develop, and launch real-world products through a structured “learn, build, earn” path, ending with a project showcase to connect them with growth and funding opportunities.
Google has selected 15 African startups for the 10th cohort of its accelerator program focused on artificial intelligence and advanced technologies. The companies will benefit from mentoring, hands-on workshops and technical support without taking equity from April through June 2026.
From June 9 to 12, the SIT Africa Forum will bring together more than 70 cybersecurity vendors and 350 IT decision-makers from across Francophone Africa in Marrakech. The four-day event will feature conferences, workshops and business meetings focused on cyber risks, data protection, cloud computing, digital identity and the use of artificial intelligence to strengthen organizational security.
Venture capital firm Propeller is launching Kernel Camp, an eight-week program to be held in May 2026 in Silicon Valley, bringing together five deep-tech startups from Tunisia, Morocco, Jordan and Egypt. Founders will gain access to mentorship, workshops, and sessions with leading engineers, investors and operators. The program aims to help them establish a lasting foothold in the global AI ecosystem and accelerate their growth.
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From April 22 to April 24, Google Cloud Next will take place in Las Vegas, bringing together developers, IT leaders and business decision-makers. The event will focus on recent developments in cloud computing, data and artificial intelligence. The program includes keynote sessions, technical workshops and product demonstrations covering security, analytics and application development.
From April 28 to 30, the Women in Tech Global Summit will bring together executives, founders, investors, and public officials at the Cape Town Convention Center to promote women in technology. The agenda includes keynote talks, workshops, and networking sessions focused on innovation, leadership, and STEAM skills, with delegations from more than 60 countries.
Kredete, a participant in the Visa Africa accelerator, is launching a credit card backed by U.S. dollar-denominated stablecoins for Africans and the African diaspora. Accepted in 50 countries by 150 million merchants, it enables international spending without high foreign-exchange fees or currency volatility. The initiative is now expanding to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Tulupay is launching a preview of its pan-African financial operating system, a platform that connects banks, mobile money services, and blockchain networks. Built to streamline cross-border payments and reduce costs, it aims to make intra-African transactions more efficient. With integrated digital identity and compliance features, Tulupay is positioning itself as a secure, unified financial infrastructure for the continent.