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GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech: Looking Back at Africa's Tech Show of 7–9 April
The fourth edition of GITEX Africa took place in Marrakech from 7 to 9 April 2026. According to the figures presented by Morocco’s Minister of Digital Transition, it brought together 55,000 visitors, 1,500 exhibitors from 58 countries and 412 investors. Here is what to remember from this edition, what is known about the next one, and how to prepare for a trade show in Marrakech, internet connection included.
The essentials
- GITEX Africa 2026: 7–9 April 2026, Place Bab Jdid in Marrakech, fourth edition.
- Official results: 55,000 visitors (52,000 in 2025), 1,500 exhibitors from 58 countries, 412 investors, more than 4,600 business meetings.
- Main theme: artificial intelligence applied to fintech, cybersecurity, data centres, mobility and smart cities.
- GITEX Africa 2027: dates not yet published on the official website as of 2 October 2026.
- At a three-day show, having your own connection means you do not depend on the busy venue Wi-Fi.
Pocket WiFi in Marrakech
Maroc Telecom 4G router: €4.90 a day (2-day minimum), up to 10 devices, delivered and collected free of charge at your accommodation in Marrakech, 9 am to 6 pm.
Book onlineCard payment in euros.
GITEX Africa 2026: what happened in Marrakech
GITEX Africa is the African spin-off of Dubai’s GITEX technology show. The 2026 edition, the fourth since its launch in 2023, ran from 7 to 9 April 2026 at the Place Bab Jdid venue in Marrakech. It was held under the High Patronage of King Mohammed VI, under the authority of the Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform, hosted by the Digital Development Agency (ADD) and organised by KAOUN International, a subsidiary of the Dubai World Trade Centre.
The results presented in late April 2026 by the Minister of Digital Transition, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, were:
- 55,000 visitors, up from 52,000 at the previous edition;
- 1,500 exhibitors from 58 countries;
- 412 investors from more than 35 countries, with over €313 billion in assets under management;
- more than 4,600 business meetings over the three days;
- 300 Moroccan startups through the “Morocco 300” initiative, 165 of which met investors.
The show’s official website also highlights delegations from more than 150 countries and more than 700 speakers.
Key themes of the 2026 edition
Artificial intelligence was the common thread, approached sector by sector rather than in the abstract. The main themes were:
- fintech and digital financial services;
- cybersecurity and digital sovereignty;
- data centres and infrastructure;
- smart mobility and smart cities;
- digital education.
North Star Africa, the startup and fundraising programme, took up a large part of the show, with hundreds of young companies and investors meeting on site.
What about GITEX Africa 2027?
As of 2 October 2026, the official GITEX Africa website does not yet show dates for the 2027 edition. Some event directories already list dates, but without confirmation from the organiser: do not book non-refundable travel on that basis.
All four editions so far have been held in Marrakech in spring. The easiest way to be notified is to follow the official website and announcements from the Digital Development Agency. We will update this page as soon as the dates are official.
Preparing for a trade show in Marrakech
Whether for GITEX or another conference, the same practical points come up every time:
- Fly into Marrakech Menara. The airport passed 10 million passengers in 2025 (ONDA) and has many direct flights from Europe. It is a few kilometres from the city centre and Bab Jdid.
- Book accommodation early. A show of this size fills the hotels around Hivernage and the medina.
- Expect everything online. Badges, the show app and meeting bookings all run on your smartphone.
- Leave time for the city. Half a day is enough for the medina, Bahia Palace or the Majorelle Garden.
If you need to work before or after the show, see our pick of coworking spaces in Marrakech and our guide to working remotely from Morocco.
Staying connected at a trade show
At a show with tens of thousands of visitors, the free venue Wi-Fi is under heavy load. Yet everything runs online: digital badge, meeting app, LinkedIn, WhatsApp, live demos, video calls with the office.
Morocco’s networks are well developed. Maroc Telecom says it covers 99% of the population with 4G, and 5G was launched by all three operators on 7 November 2025, with Marrakech among the first cities covered by Maroc Telecom. In Q1 2026, Opensignal measured typical download speeds of 27.5 Mbps on Maroc Telecom, 23.7 on Orange and 22.8 on inwi (all technologies combined).
A business visitor has three options: home roaming (simple but expensive outside your home zone), a local SIM or eSIM (often cheapest for one person; a passport is required for a prepaid SIM), or a pocket Wi-Fi router if you are a team or need to connect a laptop, tablet and phone.
Rent A Phone rents this kind of router in Marrakech: a TP-Link 4G device on the Maroc Telecom network, unlimited data, up to 10 devices and up to 8 hours of battery, enough for a day at the show. It is 4G, not 5G: up to 150 Mbps in theory, a few tens of Mbps in practice depending on the crowd. The router uses the same mobile network as phones, so it cannot bypass local congestion, but it frees you from the venue Wi-Fi.
The price is €4.90 per day per router, 2-day minimum: €14.70 for a three-day show. Free delivery and collection at your hotel, riad, Airbnb or wherever you’re staying, online payment in euros, and a €50 deposit held on your card (not charged) and released on return. A power bank (€1.90/day) helps on long days. Customer service answers 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Book a router for your trade show.
Frequently asked questions about GITEX Africa
When was GITEX Africa 2026?
The fourth edition of GITEX Africa took place from 7 to 9 April 2026 in Marrakech, at the Place Bab Jdid venue. It was organised by KAOUN International with Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and the Digital Development Agency.
How many people attended GITEX Africa 2026?
According to the official results presented in late April 2026, the show had 55,000 visitors, 1,500 exhibitors from 58 countries and 412 investors. More than 4,600 business meetings were held.
What are the dates of GITEX Africa 2027?
As of 2 October 2026, the 2027 dates are not yet on the official GITEX Africa website. Wait for the organiser’s announcement before booking non-refundable travel.
Where is GITEX Africa held in Marrakech?
At the Place Bab Jdid venue in Marrakech, a few kilometres from Marrakech Menara airport. All four editions so far have taken place in Marrakech.
How can I get internet during a trade show in Marrakech?
Use roaming from your home carrier, a local SIM or eSIM, or rent a pocket Wi-Fi router. Rent A Phone delivers an unlimited 4G router free to your hotel, riad or Airbnb in Marrakech for €4.90 per day (2-day minimum), shareable across 10 devices.