Africa Tech Week 2025 officially kicks off from 3 to 4 June at the Century City Conference Centre in Cape Town.
What to expect at Africa Tech Week 2025
This annual event brings together top technology leaders, innovators, and policymakers from across the continent and beyond to discuss how Africa can grow its digital economy.
Themed Empowering Africa’s Digital Future, the conference is packed with expert talks, panel discussions, networking sessions, and a high-stakes startup pitch competition.
The conference begins with opening remarks from Caitlin Nash, CEO of Golden Thread Markets, followed by speeches from government and corporate leaders.
This includes Alderman Vos from the City of Cape Town and South Africa’s Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, who will talk about the country’s new focus on “data sovereignty.”
This term means making sure that information generated in South Africa stays protected and is handled according to local rules, even when using international services like cloud storage.
Throughout the two-day programme, attendees can expect panel discussions covering a wide range of topics, including how video technology is changing the way people communicate and learn, how blockchain can help people without access to traditional banking, and how artificial intelligence (AI) is driving everything from solar energy to smarter manufacturing.
One key session is a panel on Closing the Digital Divide, hosted by Sentech, which focuses on how improved internet access can help reduce inequality and boost development across the country.
Another highlight is the session titled Cybersecurity at the Edge, which explores how AI is helping protect smart devices connected to the internet, known as the Internet of Things or IoT.
Attendees will also hear from representatives of top firms and organisations including Google Cloud, Binance, LexisNexis, and the African Union. Speakers will touch on how tech is transforming industries like finance, education, law, and entertainment.
A major attraction of the event is the Pitching Den, where selected startups compete in front of a panel of judges.
Each startup has just three minutes to pitch their idea, followed by five minutes of questions.
This year’s finalists include GeolyticsAI, LOOP Transport, MyStokvel South Africa, and MOVEMATES, among others.
In addition to knowledge sharing, the event provides networking opportunities where entrepreneurs, investors, and innovators can connect.
Attendees can explore partnerships that aim to push Africa’s tech capabilities forward.
With over 20 sessions and dozens of speakers across the two days, Africa Tech Week 2025 promises to offer valuable insights into the continent’s digital transformation.
