Top 10 Africa Tech Events in 2025

The Booming Landscape of African Tech Events

Across the continent, 2025 has truly added a new layer of energy to an already buzzing tech scene. Long-running conferences have returned with even bigger goals, while new festivals have emerged to tackle specific niches such as artificial intelligence and data policy. Whether you are looking for government-backed summits or grassroots developer workshops, these Africa tech events have become the heartbeat of innovation in cities like Lagos, Nairobi, and Kigali.

The beauty of these gatherings is how they bridge the gap between high-level policy rooms and the actual hustle of startup pitch stages. Beyond listening to speakers anymore, it is also about the “super-connector” moments in the hallways. The sheer volume of investment discussions, topping $300 million in some cases, evidences that these are engines of economic change. Consequently, below is TechPolyP’s carefully curated list of the top 10 African tech events that defined the ecosystem this year.

1. Africa Tech Summit Nairobi (February 12–13)

The 7th edition of this summit in Kenya kicked off the year with incredible momentum. Over 2,000 leaders gathered at the Sarit Expo Centre to launch into everything from DeFi to climate tech. What makes this one of the standout Africa tech events is its focused “pillars,” such as the Africa Money & DeFi Summit and the Africa Climate Tech & Investment Summit. It created a space where mobile operators could sit alongside crypto founders and climate-tech innovators.

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The event featured 65 speakers, with 80 exhibitors showcasing solutions spanning agritech to digital identity. The Investment Showcase was particularly busy, acting as a massive hub for deal-making and masterclasses. For those tracking the pulse of East Africa, this summit proved that Nairobi remains a premier destination for Africa tech events.

2. Lagos Tech Fest (February 19–20)

Now in its fifth year, the Lagos Tech Fest took over multiple venues in Nigeria’s commercial capital, including the Landmark Event Centre. With 2,000 participants and heavy hitters like Mastercard and Sparkle involved, it was a high-energy blend of networking and deep dives. Among the various African tech events, this one stands out for its “Tech Leadership Roundtable,” which brings together C-suite executives and senior government officials for closed-door policy sessions.

The 2025 edition focused heavily on digital infrastructure and talent development. The “After Dark Hours” networking sessions allowed founders and investors to talk shop in a more relaxed setting. This festival remains one of the most essential African tech events for anyone looking to enter the Nigerian market.

3. GITEX Africa (April 14–16)

Marrakech hosted the third edition of what has quickly become the continent’s largest tech show. Under the high patronage of King Mohammed VI, the event drew a staggering 45,000 visitors from 130 countries. GITEX Africa is truly in a league of its own, featuring over 1,400 exhibitors. It serves as a significant gateway for global players such as Huawei and Google to enter the African market.

If you are tracking Africa tech events that focus on scale, this is the one to watch. The “Africa Future Connectivity” summit was a significant highlight, exploring the impact of 5G and cloud technologies. It also featured a dedicated Diaspora Studio that bridged the gap between African talent abroad and local ecosystems.

4. Africa AI Festival (May 31)

Held in Lagos, this festival focused entirely on the rising power of artificial intelligence. It drew 5,000 attendees eager to see how AI could be tailored to African society. Many African tech events talk about the future, but this one focused on practical applications in healthcare, finance, and education. The theme, “AI for Africa: Scaling Innovation and Inclusion,” resonated with founders from over 20 countries.

The event featured a Founder Showcase and an Investor Lounge, helping translate complex AI concepts into real, scalable business solutions. It served as a reminder that for AI to work in Africa, the foundation must be built on equitable partnerships and local data sovereignty.

5. Kids Tech Fest 2025 (June 14)

This was a refreshing and unique addition to the calendar. As the first large-scale AI summit for children and parents in Africa, it proved that tech education starts early. Held at the Landmark Event Centre, it introduced young learners (ages 6–16) to digital safety and ethical AI. In the broader context of Africa tech events, this gathering is crucial for future-proofing the next generation.

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A major highlight was the launch of “Bud AI,” a child-safe AI learning companion. With dedicated tracks for parents and educators, the fest ensured that the entire support system around children is equipped to navigate the AI era. It stands out among African tech events for its long-term vision of digital literacy.

6. Global AI Summit on Africa (April 3–4)

While earlier lists mentioned Zimbabwe, the definitive 2025 Global AI Summit on Africa took place in Kigali, Rwanda. Hosted by the Ministry of ICT & Innovation and the World Economic Forum, this invitation-only event brought together global leaders to discuss Africa’s $2.9 trillion in AI potential. It was less about “tech hype” and more about governance, ethics, and building the necessary data centres on African soil.

Unlike more commercial African tech events, this summit leaned heavily into national AI strategies. Leaders emphasised the need for “human-centric” use cases, ensuring that technology solves real-world challenges in agriculture and public health rather than just increasing efficiency for big corporations.

7. GITEX Nigeria (September 1–4)

GITEX made its big debut in Nigeria this year, splitting its time between Abuja and Lagos. The Abuja leg focused on the Government Leadership & AI Summit, where policymakers discussed future-proofing digital infrastructure. The Lagos expo then served as a “super-connector” for over 3,000 professionals and 100+ exhibitors.

For those looking for Africa tech events with massive startup visibility, the GITEX Nigeria Startup Festival featured over 1,000 curated companies. The Supernova Challenge offered founders a chance to win significant funding, further cementing Nigeria’s place as a leader in the global AI universe.

8. Seamless Africa (September 8–9)

Johannesburg hosted this premier event focused on digital commerce. With nearly 6,000 participants at the Sandton Convention Centre, it was a hub for banking and retail innovation. Seamless Africa remains one of the most vital Africa tech events for anyone working in fintech or e-commerce payments.

The discussions here went beyond just technology; they explored the regulatory frameworks needed to make cross-border payments a reality. With decision-makers from SMEs, NGOs, and government entities in attendance, it provided a holistic view of the financial ecosystem in Southern Africa.

9. Africa FinTech Summit (October 8–10)

Accra became the centre of the financial world in October. This summit brought together regulators and entrepreneurs to shape the future of cross-border payments and mobile money. Among the fintech-focused Africa tech events, this one is highly regarded for its high-level discussions on blockchain, Web3, and investment trends.

Since its inception, the AFTS has invested over $300 million in venture capital across the continent. The 14th edition in Ghana continued this tradition, focusing on how fintech partnerships are shifting from “PR to purpose.” It remains a top-tier gathering for those looking to build “smarter payments” into real work across the continent.

10. Moonshot by TechCabal (October 15–16)

Closing out our list is the vibrant Moonshot festival in Lagos. It perfectly blends the structure of a professional summit with the electric energy of a tech festival. With 140 speakers and nine different content tracks, including a massive focus on the Creative Economy, it is one of those Africa tech events that captures the true spirit of African entrepreneurship.

The “Building Momentum” theme was evident in the deal rooms, where investors connected with promising founders in climate tech and AI. By bringing together visionaries from Africa and Europe, Moonshot showcased how technology can serve as an engine for wealth for creators, not just exposure.

Looking Ahead

The landscape of African tech events in 2025 shows that the continent is already setting the pace. Seeing these massive crowds in Lagos, Nairobi, and Kigali, it becomes clear that tech here is about solving real-world hurdles, such as financial access and clean energy. Whether it was the buzz of a startup pitch in Marrakech or the quiet determination of a policy roundtable in Abuja, this year felt like a turning point. We’ve moved past the hype and into a phase where these gatherings are delivering actual deals and local solutions. If you missed out this year, don’t worry, the energy in the African tech scene is only getting started, and the connections made at these African tech events are already building a much more connected and creative 2026 for all of us.