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GITEX Africa returns in 2024 with strong line-up of tech topics, set to fast-track continent’s future digital economy

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GITEX Africa

International tech companies ramp up partnerships with GITEX Africa to secure competitive advantage in the burgeoning African digital valley

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, March 13, 2024/APO Group/ — 

GITEX Africa (www.GITEXAfrica.com), the continent’s largest and most influential tech and start-up event is on high momentum to welcome the year’s biggest tech conversations and collaborative ventures in Marrakech, Morocco.

Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco, the 2nd edition of GITEX Africa will take place from 29-31 May 2024, under the authority of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform and hosted by the Digital Development Agency (ADD).

The 2nd blockbuster edition follows its pioneering debut in 2023, rated by the attending tech community as the world’s best tech launch event. The intense global interest in exploring diverse tech themes is now powering GITEX Africa’s growth, fuelling momentum in a maturing digital ecosystem while turbocharging a big tech rush into one of the world’s most exciting and dynamic markets. 

GITEX Africa 2024 shall welcome thousands of attendees from across the continent for large scale discourse and future-focused collaborations, while accelerating tech’s massive advances across diverse industries, from cloud and IOT, cybersecurity, digital health, and future finance, to consumer tech, telecoms, and the great hype of artificial intelligence.

H.E. Dr Ghita Mezzour, the Moroccan Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, met with organisers in Morocco recently as plans ramp up for the development of an expanded purpose-built venue to accommodate the surge in global exhibitor demand.

“The success of the 1st edition of GITEX Africa Morocco highlights our continent’s enthusiastic embrace of the digital revolution and Morocco’s commitment to strengthen South-South cooperation in the digital field, as well as its contribution to the international promotion of the African continent in accordance with the High Royal Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him.” said H.E. Dr Mezzour.

“Our ambitions are growing as we look ahead to the 2nd edition in the beautiful city of Marrakech. We’re excited about making GITEX Africa Morocco even more remarkable and look forward to hosting a diverse and impactful African and international tech presence.”

Mr. Mohammed Drissi Melyani, the General Director of ADD, added: “The Kingdom of Morocco successfully hosted the first edition of GITEX Africa Morocco in 2023, which showcased Africa as an emergent continent in the digital economy. The 2nd edition in 2024 is another opportunity to enhance and support Africa’s digital transformation progress and boost the competitiveness of the continent’s digital ecosystems.”

World Future Health Africa debut accelerates continent’s digital health revolution

GITEX Africa is organised by KAOUN International, the overseas affiliate of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which organises GITEX GLOBAL in the UAE, the world’s largest and most trusted tech and start-up event. The expansion of Africa’s powerhouse tech showcase is amplified by the debut of the co-located World Future Health Africa, accelerating the continent’s ascending tech-fuelled digital health revolution.

World Future Health Africa is held under the auspices of the Moroccan Ministry of Digital Transition and Public Administration Reform, the Moroccan Ministry of Health and Social Protection, and the Digital Development Agency.

Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, organiser of GITEX Africa and World Future Health Africa, said: “This sequel of GITEX Africa this year follows the upbeat trend of tech discovery we created last year in its inaugural edition.

“The global community is experiencing the growing energy, curiosity and demand for digital advancement from Africa which is outpacing that of matured developed continents. The depth and breadth of tech showcase, including the much-hyped AI in society and business at GITEX Africa shall be an eye-opening experience fostering great knowledge sharing and collaboration opportunities between the public and private sectors, and amongst businesses across the world.”

Tech titans return intensifying cross-continental tech tussle

The 2nd edition of GITEX Africa will welcome returning exhibitors following their hugely successful participation at the show’s momentous debut in 2023. Multinational majors including Epson, Honeywell, Kaspersky, and Lexar are among those back for a second round of future-focused collaborations reviving a tech-enabled African investment race.

Neil Colquhoun, Vice President of Epson Europe and the Middle East, said: “Epson is delighted to announce its participation for the second consecutive year at GITEX Africa 2024. Epson’s technology offering will focus primarily on a range of sustainable, energy-efficient solutions and products that address the pressing concerns of many industrial sectors, as well as small and medium-sized enterprises in the region.”

UAE-headquartered Presight, the Middle East’s leading big data analytics company powered by generative AI, and part of G42, a global leader in creating visionary AI, will also return: “Africa has been our focus; it’s the newly emerging continent for the digital workforce and digital transformation,” said Thomas Pramotedham, CEO of Presight.

“Presight has multiple digital transformation programmes with several African governments, and in 2024, we aim to contribute even more to the continent’s thriving tech ecosystem. Our goal is to make a positive societal impact using our big data analytics capabilities powered by generative AI. With GITEX Africa playing a key role, we’re excited to be part of discussions shaping the continent’s digital transformation journey.”

Bertrand Trastour, General Manager, France and North, Central and West Africa of global leading Cybersecurity company, Kaspersky, added: “GITEX Africa is a very important platform for Kaspersky as it allows us to inform our customers and partners about our growth strategy and potential.

“Digitalisation is a high priority in African markets, and cybersecurity is the foundation for this successful transformation. Kaspersky provides the most comprehensive cybersecurity for the growth of our customers’ businesses, regardless of their sector, scenario or assets.”

Moroccan trailblazers spotlight ground-breaking innovations

Moroccan headliners advancing tech and innovation across the region are also returning to GITEX Africa 2024, including Maroc Data Centre, Zen Networks, Dataprotect, and Mohammed VI Polytechnic University (UM6P), the show’s official R&D partner.

“UM6P transcends the traditional boundaries of R&D, embodying a powerhouse of innovation and entrepreneurship for Africa and beyond,” said Yassine Laghzioui, CEO of UM6P Ventures and Director of Entrepreneurship and Venturing at UM6P.

“We are excited to elevate our role at GITEX Africa, not merely as a leading R&D collaborator but as a beacon of innovation. Our partnership with GITEX Africa underscores our dedication to driving progress in science, technology, and investment realms.

Added Laghzioui: “We aim to nurture and scale DeepTech ventures across Africa through our targeted entrepreneurship and venturing programs, moving beyond Morocco’s borders. GITEX Africa offers an unparalleled opportunity for UM6P to forge strategic partnerships, showcasing our ground-breaking initiatives in diverse sectors such as HealthTech, BioTech, AgriTech, and GreenTech. These efforts stem from UM6P’s innovation labs and from our extended ecosystem, poised to tackle the continent’s pressing challenges.”

Regional start-up, VC investment surge on high revs at North Star Africa

GITEX Africa 2024 will feature an elevated North Star Africa start-up showcase, converging the largest curation of award-winning start-ups and scale-ups ever seen in the African continent. The most ambitious and forward-thinking entrepreneurs and founders will collaborate with African and global accelerators and investors to scale business opportunity in a region that is tipped to raise US$10 billion in VC funds by 2025.

North Star Africa is extending its far-reaching footprint to all ends of the world’s second largest continent and beyond, spurring investors to seek out and uplift the next potential unicorns solving Africa’s biggest challenges.

There’ll be more awards too, with globe-trotting innovative companies battling for start-up supremacy at the Supernova Challenge, Africa’s most coveted and valuable start-up pitch competition, with a prize pool of US$100,000 up for grabs across six categories. 

More information is available at www.GITEXAfrica.com.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of GITEX Africa.

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SLB commissions new fluids systems plant in Pemba to support Mozambique’s offshore energy development

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17 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Mozambique

New facility expands in-country drilling and completion fluids capability, advancing the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique

PEMBA, Mozambique, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –SLB (NYSE: SLB) (www.SLB.com) announced the opening of a new fluids systems plant in Pemba, Mozambique. The new facility strengthens in-country capacity to prepare, store and deliver drilling and completion fluids for offshore operations, reinforcing the infrastructure needed as Mozambique’s offshore activity grows and its role as a strategic energy hub for East Africa continues to expand.

The commissioning of the plant, also known as a liquid mud plant, coincides with SLB marking 70 years of operations in Mozambique. It reflects the company’s long-term commitment to investing in people, infrastructure and capability that support the country’s long-term offshore energy development plans.

 




  

With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the liquid mud plant provides a scalable platform for future growth, supporting multiple customers and rising offshore activity while improving logistics and enhancing operational flexibility.

As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions

“As SLB marks 70 years in Mozambique, this investment reflects our confidence in the country’s future and our commitment to supporting its energy ambitions,” said Miguel Baptista, Central, East and Southern Africa, Managing Director, SLB. The new liquid mud plant strengthens local energy infrastructure, expands opportunities for local content development, and enhances our ability to support customers as they deliver some of Africa’s most significant offshore energy resources.”

The liquid mud plant project was delivered with strong local participation and that momentum is expected to continue into operations. During project delivery, more than 100 jobs were created in Pemba with nationals representing 80% of the workforce, reflecting a focus on building local capability.

The project was delivered with a strong focus on safety, operational integrity, and quality, achieving more than 67,000 hours worked without a recordable safety incident.

This key infrastructure strengthens SLB’s ability to support consistent service quality and enhance supply chain readiness for increasing offshore activity across Mozambique, supporting customers execute safely and efficiently while developing local skills and expertise.

Key Points:

  • SLB has commissioned a new fluids system plant in Pemba, expanding in-country drilling and completion fluids capability for offshore operations.
  • With an initial storage capacity of 21,000 barrels, the facility provides a scalable platform to support growing offshore activity in Mozambique.
  • The investment marks the next phase of SLB’s growth in Mozambique, strengthening local capability and supporting long-term offshore energy development.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SLB.

 

 




 

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South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) welcomes 4,600 MW battery storage prioritisation and calls for integrated energy planning

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17 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 9, 2026/APO Group/ –The South African Energy Storage Association (SAESA) (www.SAESA.org.za) welcomes the prioritisation of 4,600 MW of battery energy storage under the first Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2025 Section 34 determination.

 




  

The timing is significant. Recent Integrated Energy Plan (IEP) modelling and assumptions discussions highlighted a fundamental shift that South Africa’s energy planning now needs to capture: we cannot plan the future power system by counting megawatts of generation alone.

We must plan for when energy is available, where it is available, how it moves through a constrained grid and how it is stored and dispatched when the system needs it most.

The announcement reinforces that shift. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are becoming critical system infrastructure, supporting flexibility, reducing avoidable curtailment, shifting energy into periods of demand and strengthening security of supply.

For SAESA, the message for the IEP is clear: storage, flexibility and system services must be modelled as integral components of South Africa’s future electricity architecture, with their contribution considered from the outset of generation planning.

“The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited,” says SAESA.

The IEP must plan the power system we are becoming, not simply model the power system we have inherited

Partnership with C&I Energy + Storage Summit

SAESA is an association partner of the C&I Energy + Storage Summit, created by VUKA Group, taking place on 28–29 October 2026 at The Maslow Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg.

The summit brings together commercial and industrial energy users, project developers, financiers, regulators and solution providers to explore practical approaches to energy security, procurement and storage deployment.

For businesses assessing how storage can support their operations, the event offers an opportunity to meet SAESA and engage with the wider energy community on the decisions shaping South Africa’s evolving electricity system.

Commercial and industrial energy decision-makers are invited to apply to attend as hosted buyers. Qualifying buyers receive complimentary summit access and curated opportunities to engage with industry partners.

 

Meet SAESA at C&I Energy + Storage Summit: Join the Hosted Buyer Programme

The Hosted Buyer Programme connects commercial and industrial energy decision-makers with solution providers shaping South Africa’s evolving private energy market.

Qualified energy buyers receive complimentary access to the summit and curated engagement with industry partners exploring energy procurement, storage deployment and project development.

Apply for the Hosted Buyer Programme (https://apo-opa.co/4ehLijJ)

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of VUKA Group.

 




 

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Afreximbank welcomes launch of Africa Credit Rating Agency as an important step in strengthening Africa’s financial architecture

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22 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Expanding credible rating coverage can improve the information available to investors and support the development of deeper domestic and regional capital markets

PORT LOUIS, Mauritius, October 8, 2026/APO Group/ –African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) (www.Afreximbank.com) welcomes today’s launch of the Africa Credit Rating Agency (AfCRA), an important milestone in strengthening Africa’s financial architecture and expanding the continent’s capacity to generate credible, independent analysis of African credit risk.

 




 
 

Credit ratings play an important role in determining access to capital, influencing investor perceptions and shaping the cost at which governments, institutions and businesses can finance development. It is therefore essential that assessments of African credit risk are independent, rigorous and evidence-based, while reflecting a complete understanding of the structures, institutions and economic realities being assessed.

The establishment of AfCRA adds an important African-led source of credit opinion to the market. Its value will not be measured by whether it produces more favourable ratings, but by the credibility of its analysis, the quality of its data and transparency of its methodology, and its ability to deepen understanding of African sovereigns, sub-sovereigns and corporate credit.

This is particularly important given that many African issuers remain unrated, while local-currency and sub-sovereign markets continue to have limited rating coverage. Expanding credible rating coverage can improve the information available to investors and support the development of deeper domestic and regional capital markets.

AfCRA must set a new benchmark for the continent, maintain its independence, and remain wholly owned and controlled by Africans

Alongside fellow members of the Alliance of African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI), Afreximbank has consistently maintained that African Multilateral Financial Institutions should be assessed on the basis of their fundamentals, performance, legal frameworks, mandates and operating models. Ensuring that these institutional characteristics are properly understood is essential to achieving informed, balanced and credible assessments of African risk.

Commenting on the uniqueness of the African market, and need for AfCRA’s rating methodology to reflect this, Mr Denys Denya, Senior Executive Vice President, Afreximbank, said: “The rating methodology AfCRA develops must recognise the uniqueness of our environment and its institutional structures. The Agency must set its own standards and not follow those set elsewhere — it must build a unique identity that conforms to an ‘African best practice.”

Highlighting the need for the autonomy of the Africa Credit Rating agency as it takes off, Mr Denya added: “Most importantly, AfCRA must set a new benchmark for the continent, maintain its independence, and remain wholly owned and controlled by Africans. We must all use it, and in return expect a complete assessment of where we (Africa) stand: the strengths the market has ignored, and the weaknesses we still need to fix.”

AfCRA should therefore be seen as complementary to existing international and regional rating agencies, broadening the range of credible analysis available to investors and issuers while strengthening competition, transparency and analytical capacity within Africa’s credit markets.

As Africa seeks to mobilise the scale of capital required for industrialisation, trade, infrastructure and economic transformation, credible African institutions that improve information, strengthen market confidence and deepen the continent’s financial markets will become increasingly important.

Afreximbank congratulates the African Union, the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) and all those involved in bringing AfCRA from concept to launch, and looks forward to the contribution the Agency will make to deeper, more transparent and more efficient African capital markets.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Afreximbank.

 




 

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