AI Expo Africa will hold its ninth annual conference and trade show in Johannesburg on October 28-29, bringing together technology companies, investors, government representatives and artificial intelligence practitioners to discuss the deployment of AI across African businesses and institutions.
The event will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre, with organisers highlighting security, sovereign AI, agentic AI and responsible AI as key themes for the 2026 edition.
The programme will also examine investment in data centres, the emergence of neocloud providers and the development of green AI technologies.
Organisers expect more than 3,500 delegates and about 100 exhibitors, with the programme featuring 52 talks and panel discussions across four tracks, according to the event’s published schedule.
Businesses and government in focus
The conference is designed to connect organisations seeking to adopt AI with technology suppliers, service providers and start-ups developing solutions for business and public-sector use.
Companies and institutions listed among the speakers and participating organisations include Cassava Technologies, Huawei Technologies, Oracle, FirstRand Group, Sasol, Netcare, Zoho and the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences.
Sessions will cover enterprise AI deployment, automation, technology strategy, governance and practical applications, alongside demonstrations and workshops intended to help participants understand how AI systems can be applied in their organisations.
The programme also includes eight continuing professional development workshops, according to the organisers.
Industry association marks ninth edition
Dr Nick Bradshaw, founder of the AI Expo Africa event series and chairperson of the South African AI Association, said the industry had changed significantly over the past year.
“This 9th Anniversary Edition is a landmark moment in our region as the AI industry as changed radically in the last 12 months,” Bradshaw said.
He said the event would provide opportunities for practitioners, suppliers and business leaders to meet, exchange knowledge and develop commercial relationships. He also highlighted the workshop programme and its contribution to professional learning.
The event is backed by the South African AI Association, which describes AI Expo Africa as its annual business-focused gathering for artificial intelligence, intelligent automation and smart technologies.
The organisers say the event builds on eight previous editions and serves a regional market that includes established technology companies, smaller businesses, start-ups and public institutions.
AI Expo Africa 2026 is scheduled to run for two days, with its main programme on October 28 and 29.
