Africa Tech Festival 2025

The Africa Tech Festival 2025 brings together leading voices from across the continent and beyond to explore how technology can drive inclusive, sustainable development. Taking place from 10 to 14 November at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, the festival serves as a meeting point for innovators, policymakers, and investors shaping Africa’s digital future.

Now in its third decade, the festival celebrates the creativity and collaboration that define Africa’s digital transformation journey. From connectivity and telecoms to artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, it highlights how inclusive innovation can deliver real impact for communities and businesses across the continent.

Team Europe at Africa Tech Festival 2025

Team Europe and the Digital4Development (D4D) Hub will host a full programme of sessions exploring how Africa–Europe cooperation can strengthen digital infrastructure, investment, and innovation. Through high-level discussions, workshops, and info sessions, Team Europe partners will share approaches to financing, skills development, and inclusive digital growth.

• Strengthening Africa’s Digital Backbone – Innovation, Investment & Integration
  11 Nov, 10:25–11:05, Auditorium 2, CTICC 1
  Exploring how governments, telecoms providers, and investors are reinforcing the continent’s digital foundations—from fibre networks and subsea cables to 5G and data centres.
• Strategic Priorities for the Future of Telco – Partnerships, Investment & Opportunities
  11 Nov, 12:30–13:30, Room 1.41 & 1.42, CTICC 1
  Examining new business models, financing mechanisms, and cross-sector partnerships driving Africa’s digital economy.
• Bridging Continents – Strengthening Africa–Europe Collaboration through Digital Innovation
  11 Nov, 13:45–15:00, Freesia Meeting Room, CTICC 2
  Presenting the Africa–Europe Digital Innovation Bridge (AEDIB) and highlighting successful collaborations between African and European ecosystems.
• Mobilising Private Capital for Digital Transformation and the Benefits of Greening Digital Transformation
  11 Nov, 15:30–17:30, Freesia Meeting Room, CTICC 2
  Exploring how blended finance and sustainability principles can catalyse private investment in digital infrastructure.
• Developing Equitable, Secure and Trusted Connectivity through Strategic Partnerships with Team Europe
  12 Nov, 9:30–10:45, Freesia Meeting Room, CTICC 2
  Discussing how Team Europe’s joint projects promote secure, inclusive digital connectivity across Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Info Session: Introduction to the D4D Hub Private Sector Advisory Group (PSAG)
  12 Nov, 10:00–10:45, Freesia Meeting Room, CTICC 2
  Presenting opportunities for companies and business associations to engage in D4D Hub activities and partnerships.
• Driving Connectivity in Africa – The Power of Blended Finance Partnerships
  12 Nov, 11:35–12:05, Main Stage Hall 6, CTICC 2
  A fireside chat on how blended finance mechanisms—such as EIB Global’s $100M investment in Axian Telecom—are expanding inclusive connectivity.
• Unlocking Opportunities – The EU Tech Business Offer for a Reinforced EU–Africa Partnership
  12 Nov, 16:15–17:00, Freesia Meeting Room, CTICC 2
  Showcasing innovative European technologies and partnerships that support Africa’s digital transformation under the AU–EU Digital Economy Partnership.

Find out more here: D4D Hub activities

Digital Investment Facility (DIF) activities

The Team Europe Action (TEA) Data Governance in Africa, the Digital Investment Facility (DIF) supported by the D4D Hub, will convene a series of three strategic sessions, targeting the persistent challenges facing Africa’s digital infrastructure ecosystem, while also leveraging new tools, partnerships, and business models for scale. These sessions build on the momentum from key regional dialogues, including the high-level forum at ITW Africa 2025 in Nairobi, and align with the EU’s Global Gateway Strategy.

• Leadership Roundtable: Unlocking Financing for Green Digital Infrastructure in Africa
  12 Nov, 13:30–15:00, Freesia Meeting Room, CTICC 2
  A high-level dialogue tackling financing challenges for bankable green data centres, demand generation, and edge facilities.
• DIF Catapult Accelerator: Connecting Digital Infrastructure Entrepreneurs with Finance
  11 Nov, 13:00–15:00, The Old Pier Café
  An accelerator-style session connecting African entrepreneurs and infrastructure developers with DFIs, impact investors, and other key stakeholders.
• Cybersecurity Guidelines Validation Workshop: Localising Digital Security Norms for Africa
  12 Nov, 13:00–15:00, The Old Pier Café
  This validation session reviews draft Cybersecurity Guidelines for Digital Infrastructure developed under the Team Europe D4D initiative.

Participants can register here: Registration link