Marrakech smells like jasmine, spice, and ambition. That’s one of the best ways I can describe the vitality at GITEX Africa 2025, which kicked off on Monday with over 1,450 exhibitors, 350 international buyers, and 650 audio system from 130 nations.
Now in its third version, GITEX Africa—now solidified because the continent’s largest tech and startup present—has positioned Morocco as a continental tech hub, because of critical authorities backing and a rising urge for food for innovation. Hundreds of individuals swarm across the sprawling Place Bab Jdid, Bd Al Yarmouk, a venue so huge you would simply miss your method (full disclosure: I bought misplaced thrice). Cubicles buzzed with product demos and investor pitches, whereas the phases hosted deep conversations on the whole lot from renewable vitality, the way forward for finance to telecom infrastructure. Notably, Flutterwave CEO Gbenga Agboola spoke to TechCrunch’s Tage Kene-Okafor concerning the firm’s progress from native disruptor to a worldwide fintech powerhouse.
“GITEX is now not simply an event to showcase the newest improvements, however has turn out to be a strategic place to strengthen digital inclusion between African nations, to construct bridges of cooperation with our worldwide companions, and to speed up the tempo of sustainable digital transformation,” mentioned Mohammed Drissi Melyani, Director Basic of the Digital Improvement Company.
That ambition is seen on the bottom. Morocco has attracted overseas direct funding into tech and innovation. In 2024, the Northern African nation ranked fifth on the continent after elevating $70 million, in response to funding tracker Africa: The Huge Deal.
On the opening ceremony, Amal El Fallah Seghrouchni, Morocco’s Minister of Digital Transition and Administration Reform, reminded us that the digital economic system now contributes 15% of world GDP. “Conscious of the challenges of this digital revolution, the Kingdom of Morocco is actively dedicated to constructing a future the place digitalization, and thru it AI, constitutes a lever for progress, for the advantage of all,” she mentioned.
This 12 months’s GITEX isn’t simply larger, however broader. New nation pavilions popped up from Gabon, Uzbekistan, Belgium, and Niger. Past the standard deal with AI and cybersecurity, the agenda now covers sports activities tech, vitality transition, and edtech. I noticed the Nigerian pavilion, the place the Nationwide Info Know-how Improvement Company (NITDA) introduced 12 promising startups to showcase improvements from fintech to agritech. One in every of these startups, Flowdiary, is instructing digital expertise similar to digital advertising and marketing, graphic design, and cybersecurity in Hausa. Ibrahim Auwal, the corporate’s senior know-how officer, advised me that the platform has grown to 13,000 customers since its inception in 2022.
On the 10X stage, I moderated a hearth chat titled “The Way forward for Training, Know-how, and Funding: Driving Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Africa.” My panelists, Melvyn Lubega, Founding Government at Go1 and Associate at Breega, and Yassine Laghzioui, CEO of UM6P Ventures, didn’t maintain again.
Each panelists careworn the necessity for extra native capital and extra collaboration between authorities and startups, particularly within the gentle of the altering geopolitical panorama with USAID funding cuts and U.S. President Donald Trump’s commerce warfare.
“I see a fantastic alternative for Africa within the present market situations,” an optimistic Laghzioui advised our viewers. “That is one of the best time for buyers to return to Africa.”
I shall be talking with three buyers in a while Wednesday on how African startups can proceed to unlock enterprise capital from the U.S within the present market situations. I hope to seek out extra solutions.
Strolling by means of the exhibitor cubicles, I ended by Visa’s setup, proper reverse the Way forward for Finance stage, and sure, I couldn’t resist taking an image with the AFCON trophy on show. I hope the Tremendous Eagles carry it residence this time. Moments like that remind you that this isn’t nearly tech, it’s about tradition, satisfaction, and continental ambition.
Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN Worldwide, the present’s organiser, summed it up greatest: “This occasion has advanced into a robust platform driving Africa’s digital future… connecting African innovators and expertise with international markets, and empowering the subsequent era to construct, revolutionise, and lead the AI economic system.”
If you happen to ask me, I’d say GITEX Africa is Morocco’s diplomatic and financial guess on know-how and innovation. The North African nation is making a daring bid to turn out to be the continent’s innovation capital, and it’s doing so with scale and goal.
