Kenya Emerges as East Africa’s AI Powerhouse as GITEX and Italy Launch Strategic Tech Partnership

The inaugural day of AI Everything Kenya x GITEX Kenya kicked off today at the Sarit Expo Centre, marking the official entry of the global event format into East Africa’s dynamic tech ecosystem. Today’s agenda is dedicated to high-level conferences and specialized workshops bringing together global AI leaders. This initial educational segment sets the stage for the following two days, which will move to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) starting tomorrow, May 20.

The KICC will host the Italian National Pavilion, coordinated by the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), which has been designed as a matchmaking platform to transform institutional dialogue into concrete commercial opportunities in the heart of the Silicon Savannah.

Italy’s participation is part of the broader framework of the Mattei Plan, which establishes a new paradigm of equal partnership and cooperation between Italy and Africa. This commitment reflects a shared vision to actively support the “Kenya Vision 2030” national strategy. Against this backdrop, Kenya stands out as a rising hub driven by its National Digital Master Plan, which targets the total digitization of services and unlocks extraordinary investment opportunities for Italian companies.

The Italian Pavilion (Hall 2, Stand H2-A10) is showcasing six leading innovative startups and SMEs: Aflabox, Balamb, CRMpartners, Eneron, Hcomm, and Metaphora Lab. The exhibition space will be officially inaugurated by Vincenzo Del Monaco, the Ambassador of Italy to Nairobi, alongside representatives from the Italian Trade Agency (ITA) and the local business community. The E4Impact Foundation (Università Cattolica di Milano) is also participating, driving efforts to bridge the gap between academic education and the African market through its local incubator.

As the debut edition of the Gitex brand in the country, this initiative represents a critical strategic positioning, with over 1,200 exhibitors and 35,000 expected visitors.

Furthermore, the ITA Nairobi office has set up a dedicated Pitch Arena, where Italian companies can present their solutions to tech giants and major investors, including 637 Capital, ASSEK (Association of Startup and SMEs Enablers of Kenya), and Harmonic Innovation Group. The latter, through its H.E.R.O. Acceleration Programme for Africa’s Boldest Founders, announced via CEO Emanuele Spampinato a €50 million investment plan and the launch of the first Italian incubator in Africa focused on climate tech and food systems, cementing Italy’s role as a key digital partner for the entire region.

Read Also: The Impact of Artificial Intelligence in Transforming Modern Homes