The Africa Internet Summit 2026 (AIS’26), Africa’s premier Internet industry gathering, will take place in Nairobi from 22–26 June 2026, bringing together Internet leaders, policymakers and technical experts at a pivotal moment for the continent’s digital future.
With Africa’s Internet user base now projected to surpass one billion users by 2029, the summit will serve as a regional platform for advancing Internet governance, infrastructure development, cybersecurity, digital inclusion, policy development and emerging technologies.
Jointly organised by the African Network Information Centre (AFRINIC) and the African Network Operators Group (AfNOG), and hosted locally by the Technology Service Providers of Kenya (TESPOK), AIS’26 will be held in a hybrid format, enabling participation both in person and online.
The Opening Ceremony will take place on Monday, 22 June at 14:00 EAT, marking the start of five days of technical workshops, policy discussions, peering and interconnection forums, industry exhibitions and stakeholder engagement focused on strengthening Africa’s Internet ecosystem.
Speaking ahead of the Summit, Prof. Nii Quaynor, AfNOG Convenor and one of Africa’s Internet pioneers, noted,”The Africa Internet Summit remains one of the continent’s most important platforms for technical collaboration and Internet development. As Africa’s digital economy continues to grow, the need for resilient Internet infrastructure, skilled technical communities, effective governance frameworks and regional cooperation has never been greater. AIS’26 provides a unique opportunity for stakeholders from across Africa and the world to come together, share expertise and shape the future of the Internet on the continent.”
Africa’s Internet growth continues to accelerate, but significant gaps remain in infrastructure, connectivity and technical capacity across many parts of the continent. AIS’26 will bring these challenges into focus, with discussions aimed at improving network resilience, expanding access and strengthening the foundations of Africa’s digital economy.
A key feature of the Summit will be the AFRINIC-37 Public Policy Meeting, where stakeholders will discuss and develop policies governing the management of Internet number resources, including IPv4, IPv6 and Autonomous System Numbers (ASNs). As IPv4 scarcity increases and demand for connectivity rises, these policy discussions remain central to the sustainable growth of African networks.
The Summit will also deliver hands-on technical training for network engineers and Internet professionals. Workshops will cover routing security, Resource Public Key Infrastructure (RPKI), IPv6 deployment, Domain Name System (DNS) operations and the establishment and operation of Internet Exchange Points (IXPs). These sessions are designed to strengthen technical capacity and improve the efficiency and resilience of Internet infrastructure across the continent.
Cybersecurity and Internet governance will feature prominently throughout the programme, reflecting the growing importance of secure and trusted digital infrastructure. The Summit will also host industry exhibitions and networking sessions, bringing together Internet service providers, cloud and data centre operators, development organisations, technology companies and researchers. These engagements are expected to foster partnerships that extend beyond the Summit itself and contribute to long-term Internet development in Africa.
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