All About Africa Tech Festival: Africa’s Powerful Tech Event

If you have any interest in South Africa’s tech sector, you’ve probably heard of Africa Tech Festival before. It’s the largest and most influential tech event on the continent, showcasing everything from 5G networks to AI advancements. But what really happens there?

The next edition of this incredible expo is just around the corner, and there’s no way we’d be fine with you missing out. For all the information you need about the show and a little taste of what to expect, let’s dive into the only Africa Tech Festival guide you’ll ever need!

Dates, Tickets, And Venue

Africa Tech Festival happens every year in November, with the next show happening on 17-19 November 2026 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC).

The event is only open to registered attendees who have purchased valid entry passes. A standard 3-day pass costs only $50 and gives you access to the exhibition, the main event stages, and all networking zones. You can get tickets online via the Africa Tech Festival website.

There are also all-access passes available for a complete show experience, although these are much more expensive. Try to book in advance so you only have to pay $1050 or $1275, rather than $2250 at the door.

Event Outline And History

Africa Tech Festival’s history starts with the history of its main anchor event: AfricaCom. First held in Cape Town in 2007, AfricaCom set the bar for Africa’s emerging telecoms industry. Now, it attracts important market leaders from across the continent.

Former Uganda Telecoms CCO Hans Paulsen said this about AfricaCOM at the inaugural 2007 show:

“Traditionally, this has been the biggest event in the industry and on the continent. There’s a lot of new learnings people get when they come here. It’s a lot of networking and a lot of new exhibitions where people are introducing new things”

Since those early days, AfricaCom has continued to grow and pioneer new thinking when it comes to Africa’s unique telecommunications market. Record attendance came in 2019, just before the global pandemic turned the events industry on its head.

AfricaCOM emerged again in 2022, this time as part of Africa Tech Festival, a broader Informa Markets event. Now, for the very first time in Africa, trade professionals can engage with every part of the tech sector under one roof!

Four Anchor Shows

Three anchor events make up the collective Africa Tech Festival:

• AfricaCom: The home of everything telecoms in Africa, featuring a dedicated showfloor presentation stage.
• AfricaTech: The core of the Africa Tech Festival, which elevates new tech solutions to a variety of complex problems affecting the continent.
• AfricaIgnite: A special show for African startups to connect with powerful investors.
• The AI Summit Cape Town: A specialist AI event highlighting AI innovation from near and far.

What To Expect From Africa Tech Festival

Want to explore the very best of the African tech scene? Africa Tech Festival is the place to do it. Even if you go just for the networking opportunities, we think you won’t regret it.

Products And Services

Both global and regional companies love Africa Tech Festival. More than 300 exhibitors put themselves out there before the global stage on the exhibition floor. That means many new products and services with real-world impact shown for the very first time.

Major Exhibitors

Some familiar names exhibiting in 2025 include Microsoft, Pepsico, and Meta.

Show Events

On the Africa Tech Expo floor, you’ll find live demos of digital technologies from connectivity and cloud to AI, cybersecurity, and fintech. Meanwhile, product theatres run quickfire presentations throughout the day, allowing visitors to learn about digital transformation in enterprises and public services.

Start-up Marketplace (AfricaIgnite)

Start-up Marketplace is the beating heart of AfricaIgnite at Africa Tech Festival. This dedicated zone puts start-ups in direct contact with corporate investors with shared visions of greatness. It’s a practical platform for elevating African tech founders and driving the industry forward.

Centre Stage (AfricaCom)

This key presentation stage delivers headline keynotes and deep-dive tracks. Expect world-class speakers to deliver sessions on clear, usable tech takeaways, like how to monetise 5G or secure data at scale.

Africa Tech Festival Awards

Another highlight of the week is the Africa Tech Festival Awards, which celebrate teams and individuals making a measurable impact. Categories typically recognised include innovation, sustainability, inclusion, and market growth. Winning something here is a huge credibility signal!

Case Study: Telecel Returns To AfricaCOM In 2025

Telecel are an emerging mobile communications giant in Africa. Booth Exhibits™ helped them with their expo display the year before at AfricaCOM 2024, and they looked for a similar display for 2025.

Since they liked their previous display so much, we made only minor aesthetic changes to their booth designs. For example, Telecel wanted to feature the “t” from their logo more prominently, so we helped them bring that to life near their booth’s meeting area.

The final result spoke for itself, with the entire project being realised seamlessly, all thanks to our local production teams in South Africa. Take a look for yourself!

Take African Tech By Storm At Africa Tech Festival

From business tech and strategy evolution to AI and African 5G rollout plans, all the answers can be found at the Africa Tech Festival. Now that you know what it’s all about, why not have a go at showing off your new products on the show floor?

From modular exhibition stands to larger custom showpieces, Booth Exhibits™ takes pride in offering quality exhibition stands to help you stand out amongst the crowd. Get in touch to find out how we can help.