GITEX Africa Morocco Launches STAR Summit to Enhance Cybersecurity
GITEX Africa Morocco is set to host the Strategic Digital Defence AI Readiness (STAR) Summit from April 7 to 9, 2026, in Marrakech, marking a significant step towards bolstering cybersecurity across the African continent. The summit aims to convene key stakeholders in the cybersecurity ecosystem, fostering strategic dialogue focused on enhancing digital defense mechanisms amid the evolving landscape of cyber threats, particularly those driven by artificial intelligence (AI). This initiative is developed in partnership with the General Directorate for Information System Security (DGSSI), which emphasizes the importance of protecting critical infrastructure against the increasing risks posed by cyberattacks.
The STAR Summit is designed to facilitate collaboration between governments and businesses, enabling them to strengthen their defenses against AI-fueled threats and sustainably enhance the continent’s digital resilience. As highlighted by General Abdellah Boutrig, Director General of DGSSI, the rapid pace of global digital transformation has inadvertently placed cybersecurity at the forefront of one of the most pressing challenges facing humanity today. Nations are now compelled to act decisively to safeguard their economies, institutions, and citizens from the surge of cybercrime that is increasingly sophisticated and industrialized.
Key Discussions and Notable Speakers at the STAR Summit
The STAR Summit will feature live discussions from the main stage of GITEX Africa Morocco on April 8, bringing together leading regional and international experts to delve into crucial cybersecurity themes. Topics will include cybersecurity governance, investment dynamics, talent and skill challenges, data security, offensive and defensive uses of AI, and the implications of quantum computing, alongside real-world cases of cybercrime from around the globe. Confirmed speakers include notable figures such as Dr. Mohamed Al Kuwaiti, the Chief of Cybersecurity for the UAE Government, and various directors from cybersecurity authorities across Africa.
This year’s GITEX Africa Morocco will also showcase an expanded cybersecurity space, featuring innovative solutions from key exhibitors like Kaspersky, Palo Alto Networks, and Fortinet, aimed at enhancing the protection of critical infrastructure. Under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this event stands as the largest and most influential technology and startup gathering on the African continent. It brings together global industry leaders, public policymakers, investors, and innovators to actively contribute to shaping the future of Africa's digital economy.
As reported by fr.allafrica.com.
