The Summit
Three days of keynotes, panels and workshops on AI, fintech, digital public infrastructure and the policy shaping them.
See the programme24-26 Sep 2026Golden Tulip Airport Hotel & Spa, Zanzibar, Tanzania
Where Africa builds what comes next
Three days bringing together the founders, engineers, investors and policymakers shaping technology and AI across the continent. A summit programme, a full exhibition floor, a continental hackathon, and the awards that close the week.
What is on
Four things happening at once
The Expo runs as one event with four strands. You can follow one all the way through or move between them.
The Exhibition
Ten pavilions covering everything from AgriTech to MineralsTech, plus a Startup Village for early-stage teams and a live demo zone.
Exhibit with usThe Awards
Ten categories recognising the people and organisations moving African technology forward, judged by panel and decided by public vote.
About the awardsThe Hackathon
The African Innovation Challenge. Nine challenge areas, teams of two to five, and a prize pool of $7,500 plus startup support. Finalists compete live on day one.
Enter the hackathon
The Awards
10 categories, decided in the open
Nominations are open to anyone. A panel shortlists, then the public votes. Nothing is announced until the night.
Nominations close 26 August 2026 at 23:59 EAT
Nominations close in: 4 days, 15 hours and 0 minutes remaining. Closes 26 August 2026 at 23:59 EAT.
Nominate
Anyone can put forward a person or organisation, with a short case and links to evidence.
Panel screening
An independent panel screens every entry and shortlists three finalists per category.
Public vote
Voting opens to the public, verified by one-time code. One vote per category per person.
Winners revealed
Results stay sealed until the Presidential Reception on the evening of 26 September.
African Innovation Challenge
Build. Pitch. Launch.
This isn't just a hackathon, it's a launchpad for Africa's next generation of startups. Teams apply against a brief in one of 9 challenge areas, competing for a prize pool of $7,500 plus startup support. Finalists then build for 24 hours at SUZA Campus, Zanzibar and pitch in the Innovation Arena on day one.
FinTech
Making money move easier for everyone.
HealthTech
Saving lives with technology.
Energy
Ensure stable and affordable access to energy.
Tourism
Harness the tourism sector's ability to service all its market segments.
EdTech
Achieve educational outcomes and support the legal environment.
Gov/Business Tech
Helping governments and businesses work smarter.
CreativeTech
Powering Africa's creative, cultural and media industries.
AgriTech
Smarter farming for food security.
Smart Cities
Making cities work better for the people who live in them.
Tickets
Four ways in
Early bird pricing runs to 26 August 2026. The Expo is capped at 300 delegates, so each tier is a small number of places.
Ordinary
Days 1 and 2
$50 / TZS 125,000
- Conference sessions on days 1 and 2
- Full exhibition floor access
- Workshop rooms, subject to capacity
All three days
VIP
All three days
$400 / TZS 1,000,000
- Everything in Ordinary
- Priority seating and VIP lounge
- Presidential Reception on day 3 included
The only tier that covers all three days on its own. The standard rate is being confirmed, so check it at checkout before you pay.
See this tier, VIPPresidential Reception
Day 3 only
$90 / TZS 220,000
- Presidential Reception and gala dinner
- The awards ceremony and winners reveal
Day 3 entry requires this pass or a VIP ticket.
See this tier, Presidential ReceptionStudent
Days 1 and 2
Free
- Conference sessions on days 1 and 2
- Full exhibition floor access
Given out by draw. Post about the Expo, tag us, and enter with the link. Two draws, in August and September.
Enter the draw, Student
Day 3 access, the Presidential Reception and the awards ceremony, requires a VIP or Reception pass. Ordinary and Student tickets cover days 1 and 2.
The three days
How the week runs
Days 1 and 2 run the Main Plenary and the Innovation Arena side by side. Day 3 is a day to see Zanzibar, closing with the Presidential Reception and the awards.
Day 1: Opening & Hackathon Finals
Thursday 24 September
Two rooms run in parallel from the morning. The Main Plenary opens the conference, and the Innovation Arena opens the Expo and hosts the hackathon finals.
Day 2: Summit & Exhibition
Friday 25 September
The full conference programme in the Main Plenary, with the exhibition floor and the practical sessions running alongside it in the Innovation Arena.
Day 3: Zanzibar & the Presidential Reception
Saturday 26 September
A day to see Zanzibar, then back for the grand finale: the Presidential Reception Gala Dinner and Awards Night, where the award winners and the hackathon winner are revealed. Entry requires a VIP or Reception pass.
Exhibition pavilions
- EdTech
- FinTech
- AgriTech & EnviroTech
- HealthTech
- CreativeTech
- EnergyTech & Infrastructure
- MineralsTech
- ServicesTech
- Technology Hub
- Startup Village
Venue and travel
Golden Tulip Airport Hotel & Spa
Zanzibar, Tanzania. 24 to 26 September 2026. Minutes from the international airport, with the summit halls, exhibition floor and reception all on one site.
Getting there
Abeid Amani Karume International Airport is a few minutes from the venue, with direct connections through Dar es Salaam, Nairobi, Doha and Addis Ababa.
Visas
Most visitors can obtain a Tanzania visa on arrival or online in advance. Requirements by nationality are set out on the travel page.
Where to stay
The Golden Tulip is the host hotel and holds a delegate allocation. Negotiated rates and nearby alternatives are published on the travel page.
Getting around
A shuttle runs between the airport, partner hotels and the venue across all three days. Timings are published closer to the event.
Partners
Delivered in partnership
The Expo is organised by Africa Business Connex with Unique Touch, under the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, and supported by the startup associations of Zanzibar and Tanzania.
24 to 26 September 2026
Come as an attendee, bring a stand, put a team into the hackathon, or back the whole thing as a sponsor.