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Africa is entering a new phase of digital investment. Significant capital is flowing into AI infrastructure, cloud platforms, subsea cables, fibre networks and data centres across the continent, governments are shaping AI policy, and enterprises are moving from strategy to implementation. Africa Tech Festival (www.AfricaTechFestival.com), the continent's longest running and most influential technology event, is where these conversations come together. Today, the event unveiled an expanded speaker line-up for its 29th edition, bringing together the leaders shaping Africa's digital future and the decisions driving investment across the continent.

Hon. Solly Malatsi, South Africa's Minister of Communications & Digital Technologies, whose department is a strategic partner of the event, will offer insight into building an inclusive, globally competitive digital economy. Global technology companies are represented by Alex Okosi, Managing Director, Africa, at Google, who will speak to the scale of investment flowing into the continent's cloud and AI infrastructure; Emmanuel Lubanzadio, Africa Lead at OpenAI, focusing on AI adoption and readiness across African markets; and Robert Koen, Managing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, at Amazon.

They are joined by leaders from Africa's telecommunications sector, including Enzo Scarcella, Chief Consumer Officer at MTN Group; Norbert Prihoda, Chief Executive Officer of Tunisie Telecom; and Daddy Yogo Ngbabendo, Group Vice President, Solutions & Architecture at Airtel Africa.

Also joining the programme are Marcel Louw, Managing Director, Africa, at Digital Realty, bringing a data centre perspective, alongside enterprise leaders Thato Sopeng, Vice President, Information Technology, at Sasol, and Linda Oniwe, Senior Vice President, TMT, Corporate and Investment Banking, at Standard Bank Group.

This speaker line-up reflects the biggest areas of investment and change happening across Africa today: connectivity, data infrastructure, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, startups and enterprise transformation, and the breadth of sectors, regions and perspectives shaping this year's programme.

David Monaghan, Vice President of Africa Tech Festival, said: "What stands out this year is the pace of collaboration across industries. Investment is flowing, partnerships are forming, and the leaders joining us in Cape Town are turning conversation into action on some of Africa's biggest digital challenges. That's the role Africa Tech Festival plays: bringing people together to get things done."

Many more senior leaders will be announced in the coming months, including ministers, enterprise CIOs, telecom operators, investors and global technology companies.

Africa Tech Festival 2026 marks the event's 29th edition, returning to the Cape Town International Convention Centre from 16 to 19 November, with content and expo sessions running from 17 to 19 November.

Registration for Africa Tech Festival 2026 is now open and can be completed through the official portal (https://apo-opa.co/4pTVq6T).

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Africa Tech Festival.

About Africa Tech Festival:
Africa Tech Festival is the continent's leading platform for shaping the future of the digital economy. Taking place annually in Cape Town, the festival brings together the full technology ecosystem, from telecoms and infrastructure providers to enterprise leaders, startups, investors and policymakers.

Through six core pillars spanning connectivity, AI, cybersecurity, data centres, digital transformation and the startup ecosystem, Africa Tech Festival delivers a comprehensive view of the trends, challenges and opportunities defining Africa's digital landscape.

The festival combines high level content with large scale exhibition and networking, creating a space where strategy meets execution. Across three days, it convenes global technology leaders, decision makers and innovators to share insight, build partnerships and drive real business outcomes.

Africa Tech Festival is part of Informa Festivals, a division of Informa.

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As African governments and mining companies accelerate efforts to expand gold production and capitalize on strong global demand, African Mining Week (AMW) 2026, taking place October 14–16 in Cape Town, will spotlight the policies, partnerships and investments driving the continent's next phase of growth in the gold sector.

The event will feature a dedicated panel, Expanding Africa's Gold Output, exploring strategies to increase gold production, formalize artisanal and small-scale mining and strengthen investment across the value chain.

The session will be moderated by Matt Banton, Head of Mining at Moore Global, and feature Fousseni Togola, President of the Mali Chamber of Mines, and Benford Mokoatle, Executive Vice President: South Africa at Gold Fields.

The discussion comes as the global gold market continues to strengthen. Gold prices have remained above $4,000 per ounce throughout 2026, supported by sustained central bank demand as countries increase gold reserves to diversify foreign exchange holdings and strengthen financial resilience. Across Africa, central banks in Tanzania, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Egypt and Namibia have expanded gold purchase programs, reinforcing demand while creating new opportunities for domestic producers.

African gold-producing nations are responding by introducing reforms aimed at increasing production and improving sector governance. In Mali, the government is strengthening the artisanal and small-scale gold mining sector as part of its strategy to maintain annual gold production above 60 metric tons. In July 2026, the country established the Malian Office of Precious Substances, a new state institution responsible for regulating and formalizing artisanal gold production across approximately 400 mining sites employing nearly two million people. At the same time, Mali continues to strengthen partnerships with major mining companies, including Barrick, B2Gold, Toubani Resources and Cora Gold, to sustain long-term production growth and attract additional investment.

At AMW 2026, Togola is expected to discuss how the Mali Chamber of Mines is supporting these reforms while highlighting the investment opportunities emerging across the country's gold sector. His participation will explore the role of chamber members in expanding production, strengthening local participation and positioning Mali among Africa's leading gold producers.

South Africa is also advancing initiatives to revitalize its gold industry through increased exploration and long-term mine investment. Earlier this year, the government expanded the Junior Mining Exploration Fund to R600 million, improving access to exploration capital for emerging mining companies and supporting efforts to unlock new gold discoveries.

Complementing these national initiatives, Gold Fields is investing R1.714 billion through 2027 to deepen its flagship South Deep Mine, positioning the operation as a long-life production hub well beyond 2030. Gold Fields' Mokoatle is expected to provide an update on the company's long-term investment strategy, highlighting how innovation and sustained capital investment are supporting South Africa's efforts to strengthen gold production.

As investment accelerates across Africa's gold sector, AMW 2026 provides a premier platform to connect governments, producers, investors and service providers, advancing the partnerships and capital needed to unlock the continent's next phase of gold production growth.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.

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