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Ai Everything Middle East & Africa (Ai Everything MEA) 2026 Debuts in Egypt, Signaling Regional Artificial Intelligence (AI) Leadership

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Middle East

Organised by GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech, AI, and startup event network across continents, Ai Everything MEA is positioned as the Middle East and Africa’s most empowering global AI tech week

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, September 3, 2025/APO Group/ —

  • Cairo set to welcome global AI leaders, enterprises, and experts at the inaugural Ai Everything Middle East & Africa (https://www.AiEverythingMEA.com), from 10-12 February 2026, organised by GITEX GLOBAL
  • Event hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in strategic partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA)

Egypt is accelerating its leadership in artificial intelligence across the African continent and beyond, backed by a national roadmap for AI-driven transformation. Ranked among the top 10 countries globally in AI and Machine Learning – and the only African nation in that tier, according to the 2024 GBS World Competitiveness Index – Egypt is embedding AI across vital sectors under its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2025–2030).

This momentum now converges on a focused global ecosystem platform with the launch of Ai Everything Middle East & Africa (https://www.AiEverythingMEA.com), set to take place from 10–12 February 2026 in Cairo. Organised by GITEX GLOBAL, the world’s largest tech, AI, and startup event network across continents, Ai Everything MEA is positioned as the Middle East and Africa’s most empowering global AI tech week.

Hosted by Egypt’s Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT) (https://MCIT.gov.eg/) and held in strategic partnership with the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA) (https://ITIDA.gov.eg/), Ai Everything MEA convenes leading AI enterprises, startups, thought-leaders, and decision-makers from over 60 countries.

The event will spotlight AI use cases and frontier technologies across priority sectors aligned with Egypt’s national AI agenda and sector leadership unique to the country, including outsourcing and shared services, semiconductor design, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, manufacturing, digital health, fintech, energy, education, and digital public services.

By hosting Ai Everything MEA, Egypt reinforces its role as a regional nexus for AI collaboration, connecting global expertise with national priorities to fast-track deployment. Backed by strategic investments in digital capabilities, the country is advancing its digital economy mission and attracting international deep-tech investment.

Dr. Amr Talaat, Minister of Communications and Information Technology stated: “Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the architecture of global competitiveness, and Egypt is determined to not only adapt to this shift – but to shape it. Our National AI Strategy reflects a bold vision: to position Egypt as a leading force in responsible AI adoption, policy innovation, and inclusive digital development.

The launch of Ai Everything MEA marks a strategic milestone in our journey to position Egypt as a regional AI leader and a hub for innovation and co-creation

Egypt is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing AI for public good across our region. Ai Everything Middle East & Africa offers a timely platform to align global expertise with national priorities — and to accelerate meaningful deployment of AI across sectors that matter most to our citizens.”

Additionally, Eng. Ahmed El Zaher, CEO of ITIDA, commented: “The launch of Ai Everything MEA marks a strategic milestone in our journey to position Egypt as a regional AI leader and a hub for innovation and co-creation. This event embodies our commitment to placing Egypt at the heart of the global tech conversation – by attracting deep-tech investments, empowering local startups, and nurturing an ecosystem where transformative ideas turn into real-world solutions. Hosting this global summit in Cairo reinforces Egypt’s ambition to be a key contributor in shaping the future of AI, forging impactful partnerships that scale technology from our region to the world.”

Trixie LohMirmand, EVP of Dubai World Trade Centre, global organizer of GITEX, further added: AI has leveled the digital playing field, and new opportunities are emerging for countries. Egypt is intent on harnessing this tech phenomenon to regenerate its social fabric and economic landscape, forging a future where innovation uplifts its citizens and redefines the nation’s global stature.  Ai Everything MEA shall be the force multiplier to support Egypt’s most strategic AI mission to build empowering outcomes at scale.”

Egypt’s AI Transformation: From Strategic Mission to Global Marketplace

The event opens with a high-level summit in a two-day immersive exhibition designed to accelerate collaborative AI research and development, industry applications, startup scaling, global investment inflows, and digital capacity-building. Tech giants driving AI progress in the region and worldwide, such as Atos, Cyshield, HPE, and IBM, shall join the flagship AI event in Egypt.

Over 200 venture capitalists from the GITEX network, managing more than US$1 trillion in assets, are expected to explore investment opportunities in Egyptian and regional startups. One of the region’s largest youth-tech academy will also be launched, channeling fresh engineering talent into pilot projects and mentorship programs – empowering Egypt’s annual pool of over 750,000 university graduates.

Ai Everything MEA marks a defining chapter in accelerating responsible AI development, scalable innovation, and inclusive digital progress across the Middle East and Africa. For more information, access the website: https://www.AiEverythingMEA.com


Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ai Everything Middle East & Africa.

Business

Afreximbank Backs DOTT Services Limited, Uganda with a US$28 Million Facility for Regional Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Projects

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The financing will enhance DOTT’s capacity to execute strategic projects across the continent, facilitate intra-African trade in goods and services and strengthen regional value chains

CAIRO, Egypt, November 4, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) has activated and approved a US$28 million dual-tranche facility for DOTT Services Limited, the leading Uganda-based engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor, and has begun disbursing funds to support the execution of its EPC projects pipeline, valued at more than US$550 million.

 




 
 

Provided under Afreximbank’s EPC Contract Promotion Initiative, the facility is designed to strengthen the capacity of African EPC champions to secure and execute large-scale infrastructure projects across the continent. Specifically, the financing will support DOTT Services Limited in executing contracts and pursuing near-term opportunities valued at approximately US$550 million across Uganda, Tanzania, Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Commenting on the transaction, Mr. Humphrey Nwugo, Director of Regional Operations at Afreximbank’s Eastern Africa office, said:

Through the initiative, the Bank provides support, including financing, twinning and matchmaking

“This facility reflects Afreximbank’s commitment to building strong African EPC champions capable of delivering the infrastructure that underpins Africa’s industrialisation, trade and economic integration. By supporting DOTT Services Ltd, a well-established regional contractor with operations across five African countries, we are addressing a critical financing gap that has historically constrained the ability of African firms to participate meaningfully in large-scale, cross-border infrastructure projects.

The financing will enhance DOTT’s capacity to execute strategic projects across the continent, facilitate intra-African trade in goods and services and strengthen regional value chains. It also advances Afreximbank’s EPC Contract Promotion Initiative, which seeks to increase African participation in the development and delivery of Africa’s infrastructure.

Through partnerships such as this, we are ensuring that greater value, expertise, employment opportunities and economic benefits are retained within Africa while fostering the emergence of globally competitive African contractors.”

Mr. Nwugo further noted that most local commercial banks lacked the capacity to support intra-African and regional projects because they were poorly placed to absorb the associated cross-border risks, while international banks tended to prioritise non-African contractors. As a result, African entities were often left without adequate financial support.

He said: “Afreximbank’s EPC Initiative was therefore designed to address this challenge by supporting African EPC contractors in securing and executing a greater share of infrastructure contracts across the continent. Through the initiative, the Bank provides support, including financing, twinning and matchmaking, as well as issuing letters of support, among others”, he explained.

DOTT Services Limited presence in Africa spans 28-years, with operations in Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). It also has European offices in Italy and the UK, and a workforce of over 6,000 people. The company procures from, and distributes to, African countries goods such as bitumen, asphalt, steel and spare parts, as well as yellow goods equipment and services, making it a significant player in intra-African trade. Its track record of promoting trade-supporting infrastructure across the continent makes it a natural partner for Afreximbank’s EPC Contract Promotion Initiative, which seeks to build African EPC champions capable of delivering the infrastructure that underpins intra-African trade.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 

 




 

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Coca-Cola Beverages Africa (CCBA) invests in Africa’s leadership potential through EDGE

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Coca-Cola

Developed in partnership with Henley Business School Africa, the programme equips high-potential leaders with the skills, experiences and perspectives needed to drive growth, create value and deliver impact across the business

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, November 4, 2026/APO Group/ –Thirty-one leaders from across 12 African countries have graduated from Coca-Cola Beverages Africa’s (CCBA) (https://www.CCBAgroup.com) EDGE Senior Leadership Acceleration Programme, marking the completion of the programme’s second generation and the first pan-African EDGE cohort.

 




 
 

Created by CCBA, EDGE is the company’s flagship senior leadership development programme. Building on previous participation from The Coca-Cola Company, the programme was further expanded in 2026 to include leaders from Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, creating a broader pan-African learning experience across the Coca-Cola system.

Developed in partnership with Henley Business School Africa, the programme equips high-potential leaders with the skills, experiences and perspectives needed to drive growth, create value and deliver impact across the business.

The 2026 cohort marks an important milestone for EDGE as the programme brought together leaders from across the Coca-Cola system

The graduating cohort represented leaders from multiple countries and business functions. Through classroom learning, business projects, mentoring and coaching, participants gained practical experience in addressing real business opportunities and challenges.

With CCBA serving more than 840,000 customers across Africa, the company requires leaders who can navigate complexity and create value in diverse markets. EDGE helps build these capabilities through practical, business-focused learning.

“People are at the heart of everything we do, and programmes like EDGE demonstrate our commitment to investing in their growth and future success,” said Natasa Prodanovic, Chief People and Culture Officer at CCBA.

“The 2026 cohort marks an important milestone for EDGE as the programme brought together leaders from across the Coca-Cola system. By learning alongside colleagues from The Coca-Cola Company, Equatorial Coca-Cola Bottling Company and Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company, participants were able to build meaningful connections, share diverse perspectives and strengthen collaboration across our markets.”

The curriculum focused on strategy, value creation, transformation, commercial decision-making, leading self and leading teams. Participants also presented business projects aligned to organisational priorities as part of the programme’s graduation requirements.

EDGE forms part of CCBA’s broader commitment to developing future leaders and building the capabilities needed to drive sustainable growth and impact across Africa.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.

 

 




 

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Africa and Caribbean trade potential could reach $1.65 billion annually by 2030: International Trade Centre (ITC)-Afreximbank report

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Afreximbank

The report finds that around 80% of Africa’s annual goods export potential to the Caribbean remains untapped

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua and Barbuda, November 3, 2026/APO Group/ –Annual trade in goods and services between Africa and the Caribbean could reach up to $1.65 billion by 2030, excluding mineral fuels, according to a new report launched today by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda.

 




  

The report, Reshaping Africa-Caribbean Trade: Opportunities for Economic Transformation, (https://apo-opa.co/4eiz62u) finds that while Africa and the Caribbean share deep historical and cultural links, trade between the two regions continues to represent only a small share of each region’s overall trade, despite complementarities across sectors ranging from agribusiness and manufacturing to services and the creative economy.

A look at the numbers

The report finds that around 80% of Africa’s annual goods export potential to the Caribbean remains untapped, with are significant opportunities for export growth if trade and investment is actively promoted and facilitated.

Africa and the Caribbean must transform a shared history into shared prosperity

Caribbean export potential lies in the services sector, reaching $481 million. The report identifies business opportunities across several priority sectors, including processed food and animal feed, chemicals, minerals and metals, apparel and textiles, leather and footwear, tourism, transport services and creative industries.

These findings – and more – are based on trade and export potential analysis, detailed sector assessments and a survey of 1,175 businesses and business support organizations across Africa and the Caribbean.

Tapping into priority sectors

ITC Executive Director Pamela Coke-Hamilton (https://apo-opa.co/3WHHZMU), in launching the report, said: ‘At a time of major shifts in global trade, countries need to strengthen regional ties and invest in value addition, to build resilience. We know the major trade opportunities between Africa and the Caribbean – and now we can focus on helping businesses take advantage of those opportunities through better market intelligence, improved logistics and greater access to finance.’

Commenting on the report, Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President at Afreximbank, said: ‘Africa and the Caribbean must transform a shared history into shared prosperity. With our CARICOM office in Barbados, about $1 billion in approved transactions and a $5 billion regional financing commitment, Afreximbank is advancing this vision through financing, deposit mobilization under CENDEP, business links through the annual Afri-Caribbean Trade and Investment Forum, local-currency payments through CAPSS and creative-industry collaboration through CANEX. This report offers a practical roadmap to turn untapped potential into bankable opportunities across agribusiness, manufacturing, tourism and the creative economy. Through targeted financing, stronger transport and logistics links and strategic partnerships, we can build a Global Africa connected by heritage, trade, investment and shared opportunity.’

The report finds that businesses continue to face significant challenges, including high transport costs, limited direct shipping links, regulatory barriers, limited access to finance and difficulties in identifying trusted commercial partners. It highlights that future economic cooperation should extend beyond traditional trade in goods, including through joint investment ventures, digital services, creative industries and tourism. It also calls for targeted action to improve market intelligence and business matchmaking; expand access to trade finance and payment solutions; strengthen transport and logistics connectivity; support sector-specific value chain development; improve regulatory cooperation and market access; and foster stronger partnerships among business support organizations.

Read the full report HERE (https://apo-opa.co/4exHBH9)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 




 

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