GITEX AFRICA Morocco unveils STAR summit

By Nana Theresa Timothy

GITEX AFRICA Morocco announced the launch of the Strategic Digital Defence AI Readiness (STAR) Summit, a new initiative designed to strengthen cybersecurity resilience across Africa as digital transformation accelerates across the continent.

The summit is being organised in partnership with Morocco’s General Directorate for Information Systems Security (DGSSI) and aims to empower African governments, businesses, and emerging digital economies to protect their critical infrastructure against evolving AI-driven cyber threats.

As Africa continues to embrace digital innovation and online services, cybersecurity has become a critical concern for both public and private sectors. The STAR Summit seeks to provide a collaborative platform where policymakers, cybersecurity experts, and technology leaders can explore strategies to defend digital systems and strengthen cyber resilience.

GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2026 Set for April in Marrakech

GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2026 will take place in Marrakech from April 7 to April 9, 2026, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and under the authority of the Kingdom’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform.

The event is organised by KAOUN International, the global organiser of GITEX technology events, in partnership with Morocco’s Digital Development Agency (ADD).

Since its launch, GITEX AFRICA Morocco has become one of the continent’s leading technology gatherings, bringing together global innovators, investors, startups, policymakers, and technology companies to discuss the future of Africa’s digital economy. The addition of the STAR Summit highlights the growing importance of cybersecurity as a core pillar of digital development.

Addressing Africa’s Growing Cybersecurity Threat Landscape

Africa’s rapid digital transformation has also led to an increase in cyber threats targeting businesses, governments, and individuals. As digital services expand across banking, telecommunications, healthcare, and government services, protecting critical infrastructure has become increasingly urgent.

The STAR Summit aims to bring together Africa’s cybersecurity ecosystem to discuss solutions for strengthening digital defence, mitigating cyber risks, and ensuring the security of critical infrastructure.

According to Brigadier General Abdellah Boutrig, Director General of DGSSI, cybersecurity has become one of the most pressing challenges facing nations in the digital era. He noted that the speed of global digital transformation has unintentionally created new vulnerabilities, making it necessary for countries to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. Boutrig explained that Africa is witnessing an increasingly industrialised cyber threat landscape, characterised by large-scale cyberattacks, massive financial losses, and organised cyber-enabled fraud.

ADVERTISEMENT

He emphasised that collaboration between the DGSSI and GITEX AFRICA Morocco through the STAR Summit will help advance practical cybersecurity readiness across the continent. According to him, cyber resilience should no longer be viewed solely as a technical objective but as a national security priority that governments and institutions must address collectively.

Strengthening Africa’s Digital Economy Through Cyber Resilience

For Africa to fully benefit from the opportunities of the digital economy, experts say governments and institutions must establish strong cybersecurity frameworks. Without these protections, digital growth could expose critical systems and data to major risks.

In this context, Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International, highlighted the importance of strengthening cyber resilience as Africa’s digital ecosystem continues to expand. According to her, protecting digital infrastructure supports economic growth, safeguards citizens, and ensures the stability of public services. She further explained that the STAR Summit reflects the shared ambition of GITEX AFRICA Morocco and its partners to help Africa accelerate digital innovation while keeping technological progress secure and sustainable.

Moreover, LohMirmand emphasized that the summit will bring together government leaders, cybersecurity professionals, and technology innovators. Through this collaboration, the event will equip organisations with the tools and knowledge they need to navigate an increasingly complex cyber threat environment

Global Cybersecurity Experts to Speak at STAR Summit

The STAR Summit will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, on the main stage of GITEX AFRICA Morocco. The summit will feature a lineup of prominent regional and international cybersecurity leaders who will discuss key trends shaping the global cyber defence landscape.

Discussions will focus on several important topics, including:

• Cyber governance and regulatory frameworks
• Cybersecurity investments and funding opportunities
• The growing talent and skills gap in cybersecurity
• Data protection and digital privacy strategies
• The use of offensive and defensive artificial intelligence in cybersecurity
• The potential security implications of quantum computing
• Lessons from real-world cybercrime incidents

These discussions aim to help governments and businesses better understand emerging risks while developing strategies to strengthen their cyber defence capabilities.

Notable Cybersecurity Leaders Confirmed as Speakers

Several high-profile cybersecurity experts and policymakers have already confirmed their participation in the summit.

Confirmed speakers include H.E. Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, Head of Cyber Security for the UAE Government; Divine Selase Agbeti, Director-General of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) in Ghana; David Kanamugire, CEO of the National Cyber Security Authority (NCSA) in Rwanda; and H.E. Tigist Hamid Mohammed, Director-General of Ethiopia’s Information Network Security Administration (INSA). Other speakers include Justin Williams, Group Chief Information Security Officer (CISO) at MTN Group in South Africa, and Amit Ghodekar, Global CISO at Aramex in the United Arab Emirates.

These leaders are expected to share insights into national cybersecurity strategies, threat intelligence, and industry best practices for protecting digital infrastructure.

Expanded Cybersecurity Showcase at GITEX AFRICA 2026

In addition, GITEX AFRICA Morocco 2026 will feature an expanded cybersecurity exhibition that showcases companies developing advanced security solutions. Through this exhibition, the event will highlight emerging technologies that help organizations strengthen their cyber defenses.

Furthermore, global technology firms, cybersecurity providers, and infrastructure protection specialists will gather at the exhibition to present next-generation technologies designed to defend digital ecosystems. Notably, key exhibitors expected at the event include Kaspersky, Palo Alto Networks, Fortinet, Forcepoint, Starlink, and CyberKnight Technologies.

Meanwhile, these companies will demonstrate innovative solutions that help businesses, government institutions, and digital networks defend against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. Ultimately, the exhibition will give stakeholders the opportunity to explore practical tools that strengthen cybersecurity resilience across industries.

Advancing Africa’s Secure Digital Future

For more updates about the event, visit www.gitexafrica.com.