For a long time, Africa only appeared in the global tech conversation as observers watching the story unfold elsewhere. The world talked about us as “up next” in tech, full of promise but always just out of reach. Not anymore. Africa isn’t waiting for innovation to show up. It’s building it right now.
The Cardano Africa Tech Summit 2026 (CATS26), happening this week, February 13 in Nairobi alongside Africa Tech Summit week, reflects this shift. It brings together developers, founders, policymakers, and blockchain innovators who are actively shaping the continent’s digital future.
From Lagos to Nairobi and Accra to Cape Town, African innovators are using technology to tackle real challenges and create solutions that work locally while resonating globally. From mobile money unlocking financial access for millions to blockchain improving transparency, the continent is designing technology rooted in local realities with global impact. Developers are launching startups, founders are attracting investment, and communities are exploring emerging technologies. Africa is not watching the global tech movement, it is part of it.
Unlike traditional conferences, the CATS26 journey began long before the main event. In late 2025, a hackathon series swept across Africa, bringing together developers, designers, storytellers, and community leaders to build prototypes and solve problems that matter in their communities. Winning teams will now showcase their work live, gaining mentorship, visibility, and opportunities for continued incubation beyond the summit.
By bringing the summit to Nairobi, CATS26 connects global blockchain innovation with one of the continent’s most dynamic tech ecosystems. The city is home to grassroots communities building the future the summit represents. Cardano Hub Nairobi supports developers, startups, and blockchain education through workshops, hackathons, and community events, while the Blockchain Centre NBO drives awareness, research, and collaboration around emerging technologies. These hubs show that innovation in Nairobi isn’t limited to conference stages; it happens year-round within the community.
Only a few months ago, I stepped into the world of Web3 for the first time after joining the Blockchain Centre in Nairobi. Since then, I’ve witnessed the energy of the local builder community firsthand. Through meetups and hackathon collaborations, I’ve watched Kenyan developers share ideas, refine projects, and support one another as they build solutions together. I’ll also be volunteering at the summit, and I couldn’t have wished for a better way to find my footing in this growing ecosystem.
I’m especially excited about the chance to meet speakers, builders, ecosystem leaders, and innovators from across the Cardano and wider Web3 world. With over 1,500 expected attendees from more than a dozen African countries and three continents, the exposure and conversations alone will be invaluable.
More than a conference, this is a moment for the blockchain and Web3 community to come together, exchange ideas, and make impactful connections. It’s a gathering of people who care deeply about what they’re building and who they’re building it with.
Africa is building, and it’s happening right here in Nairobi. And if you are local to Nairobi, it’s not too late to join us. This is your chance to be part of the conversations shaping what comes next. And if you won’t be in Nairobi this week, you’re still part of the journey. I’ll be sharing reflections, highlights, and stories from the summit right here on Lido Nation, and I can’t wait to bring the energy of the event to you.
