“Global technology leaders highlight Kenya’s digital leadership as AI EVERYTHING KENYA X GITEX KENYA marks a defining moment for the region.”

Kenya’s growing influence in the global technology landscape took centre stage as leaders at AI EVERYTHING KENYA x GITEX KENYA 2026 described the country as a critical player in the emerging intelligence economy and a key gateway for Africa’s digital future.

Speaking during the opening of the inaugural event in Nairobi, Executive Vice President, Dubai World Trade Centre, CEO, KAOUN International Trixie LohMirmand lauded Kenya’s remarkable progress in digital transformation, noting that the country’s innovation journey has positioned it ahead of many global counterparts in areas such as mobile payments, fintech, and digital commerce.

“Technology is no longer an option,” she said. “When it comes to AI, it has become critical infrastructure and an imperative for countries looking to build resilience, strengthen protection mechanisms and drive advancement during times of uncertainty.”

LohMirmand said global disruptions and changing economic realities have created a renewed urgency for nations to embrace emerging technologies and invest in digital systems capable of driving long-term growth.

She further commended Kenya’s achievements in digitalisation, citing its ability to leapfrog traditional systems and reshape global conversations around financial technology and mobile innovation.

“We celebrate Kenya’s dominance in fintech and how it leapfrogged into digital payments and mobile payments,” she said. “You set the momentum, you set the pace, and you disrupted the space in ways that even some of the world’s most established technology ecosystems have not.”

The GITEX Global CEO also acknowledged the role played by Special Envoy for Technology, Office of the President, Government of Kenya, Philip Thigo in positioning Kenya as a destination for international technology partnerships and innovation-led investment.

“His tireless advocacy and conviction helped bring AI Everything and GITEX to Kenya,” she said, adding that his efforts have consistently amplified the case for Kenya and Africa on global platforms.

Welcoming delegates to Nairobi, Thigo described the event as a historic milestone, noting that it marks the first time AI Everything has been hosted outside the United Arab Emirates.

“I’m pleased to welcome you to Nairobi, Kenya,” said Thigo. “Over the next three days, this will be a defining moment not just for Kenya, but for the region as we continue strengthening our role in the global digital economy.”

He pointed to Kenya’s recent hosting of major international gatherings and increasing recognition as a destination for innovation and investment, highlighting the country’s growing role as a convening point for governments, technology leaders, and entrepreneurs.

GITEX Kenya 2026 — Kenya’s Special Envoy on Technology Ambassador Philip Thigo speaking at the AI Everything Kenya x Gitex Kenya Conference on 19 May 2026.

Venture Capital

The remarks come as global competition intensifies around artificial intelligence, with countries increasingly viewing AI as foundational infrastructure capable of shaping economic competitiveness and future development.

With Kenya attracting US$1.04 billion in technology investment in 2025 — representing a 72 percent year-on-year increase — Nairobi has strengthened its position as a key engine within Africa’s venture capital ecosystem.

Reflecting this momentum, the event is expected to convene more than 100 investors from over 20 countries, collectively managing over US$50 billion in assets, alongside founders and innovators building technologies designed for both African and global markets.

Making its inaugural debut from 20–21 May 2026 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the event will also host the Supernova Challenge, Africa’s leading equity-free startup pitch competition, providing a platform for startups redefining the future of AI and emerging technology.

Among the innovators expected to draw attention is Aphorion Labs, a Nairobi-based company founded by Edwin Nguthiru, which is developing HeatherDB, described as the world’s first natively intelligent database built on “storage-shaped intelligence.” During the event, the company plans to demonstrate production-level AI workloads operating on a Raspberry Pi and a US$5 server, challenging assumptions that AI innovation requires expensive infrastructure.

“For too long, Africa has been a consumer of AI built elsewhere,” said Edwin Nguthiru, Founder of Aphorion Labs. “Aphorion Labs is positioning Africa as a producer of foundational AI systems, designed here, built here, and relevant globally. This event is where that new chapter starts.”

Sign language platform

Accessibility innovation will also feature prominently through Signvrse, an AI-powered sign language platform founded by Elly Savatia. The platform uses speech recognition, natural language processing, generative AI and intelligent 3D avatar technology to provide real-time sign language translation for Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities across sectors including healthcare, education, government services, and digital experiences.

“By combining speech recognition, natural language processing and generative AI with real-time 3D avatar translation, we are helping organisations build more inclusive digital systems at scale while addressing a critical accessibility gap across the region,” said Savatia.

Cross-border financial technology will also take the spotlight with straitPay, developed by Nigeria-based Strait Sahara, a machine-learning-powered payments platform designed to tackle persistent challenges around fraud, compliance, and settlement delays in African markets.

“We did not start with a pitch deck; we started by making the corridor work,” said Kele Okafor, Founder of straitPay. “Kenya and Uganda are next. We are in Nairobi because East Africa is not a future ambition for us. The groundwork is already being laid.”

Meanwhile, Nairobi-based startup Joritu will showcase how AI-powered planning tools and advanced machinery are transforming construction across East Africa, one of the region’s largest yet least digitised sectors.

“Construction is one of the most important sectors driving Africa’s growth, yet many workflows remain fragmented and inefficient,” said Ian Ndiritu, Business Operations Lead at Joritu. “We are focused on modernising construction through intelligent coordination systems and AI-driven planning tools built for African realities.”

AI Everything Kenya x Gitex Kenya on Education and Inclusion

Education and inclusion will also feature strongly through Victor Wanja Innovations Hub (VWIH), which will unveil AuraLearn, a proprietary AI and computer vision platform designed to make visual content accessible to visually impaired students.

Unlike traditional screen readers that process only text, AuraLearn interprets complex visual content such as STEM diagrams and macroeconomic charts and translates them into interactive spatial audio experiences.

“The future of the global economy is in data, but heavy visual data remains a locked door for visually impaired minds,” said Victor Kariuki Wanja, Founder and CEO of VWIH. “We are stepping onto the GITEX stage to show that the infrastructure solving global digital exclusion is being coded right here in Kenya.”