Cairo ICT will hold its 30th edition from November 7 to 10, 2026, under the theme "AI in Action," focusing on how organizations can use artificial intelligence (AI) to improve services, increase efficiency, and support innovation.
Event overview
The technology exhibition and conference will take place at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in Cairo, with Forbes Middle East participating as a media partner.
Official delegations from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, China, Sudan, Togo, and Rwanda will join the event to explore investment opportunities, exchange expertise, and discuss cooperation on digital solutions.
The opening program includes a ministerial summit titled "AI in Action: From Success Stories to Nationwide Impact."
Egypt's Minister of Communications and Information Technology, Raafat Hendy, is expected to participate alongside several other ministers.
Putting AI to work
Osama Kamal, chairman of event organizer Trade Fairs International, said the anniversary edition would emphasize practical AI applications that address the needs of businesses and communities.
The theme reflects a focus on solutions that organizations can implement to improve services, raise productivity, and create opportunities for growth.
"Cairo ICT brings together decision-makers, technology developers, investors, and entrepreneurs to connect innovation with market needs," Kamal said. He added that the accompanying events would support partnerships, create opportunities for young talent and startups, and encourage applications that deliver economic and social value.
The conference agenda spans telecommunications, banking and financial services, healthcare, education, government services, energy, agriculture, and irrigation.
It also covers media, content production, and digital gaming.
Sessions will examine the requirements for adopting these technologies, from infrastructure and data centers to workforce skills and integration with existing operations.
Three sessions will focus specifically on AI in journalism and media, bringing together Arab news organizations and public-sector media executives to assess the opportunities and challenges facing the industry.
Sovereign AI infrastructure
A roundtable on sovereign AI infrastructure will take place on November 7, organized by Cairo ICT in collaboration with the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization (AICTO) and the Smart Africa alliance.
The discussion will explore cooperation between Arab and African countries on computing capacity, data centers, and data governance, with a focus on developing infrastructure that meets the region's needs.
Other closed-door sessions and roundtables will address children's online safety, the role of Arab and African women in shaping AI's future, applications in energy and mining, banking data centers, infrastructure security, and smart transportation.
Participants will include senior representatives from ministries, government agencies, the Central Bank of Egypt, and regional and international organizations.
Technology, digital policy, social development, and cybersecurity specialists will also take part, alongside business and academic representatives.
Payments, data centers, and gaming
The accompanying events include the third edition of AIDC², an exhibition and conference covering AI, data centers, and cloud computing.
PAFIX, the digital payments and financial inclusion exhibition and conference, will return for its 13th edition under the patronage of the Central Bank of Egypt.
Connecta and Connecta Play will showcase smart devices, entertainment technology, and digital gaming, with a new collaboration involving the Information Technology Institute, led by Heba Saleh.
The Innovation Arena will give startups and entrepreneurs a platform to demonstrate their products and connect with investors, potential business partners, and organizations supporting innovation.
Within Connecta, the AI Innovation Factory will run from November 8 to 10 in collaboration with Mercatura Forum.
The program combines an AI hackathon and solution development challenges with robotics activities, workshops, and specialist mentoring to help participants turn ideas into prototypes they can present and refine.
Cyber Zone activities will take place in cooperation with Cyshield.
The event will also provide dedicated spaces for business meetings and the signing of cooperation agreements between participating government bodies, companies, and institutions.
AI awards
This year's edition will introduce the MEA AI Awards 2026, recognizing companies and individuals contributing to the development and application of AI across the Middle East and Africa.
Specialist judging panels will evaluate entries and select the winners, according to the organizer statement.
Cairo ICT will also launch "Khayal" through a strategic partnership with Aroma, recognizing the best short film created using AI. Organizers describe it as the first Arab event of its kind.
