Event details and location

The Cyber Africa Forum (CAF) has announced the program for its 6th edition, scheduled to take place on November 16 and 17, 2026, at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa in Benin. The event will focus on the theme "Building tomorrow's digital trust."

Organizers and participants

Organized by Kaydan Groupe with the support of the Ministry of Digital Transformation and Innovation and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Benin, the Forum will bring together more than 1,500 public and private decision-makers to discuss five major verticals: artificial intelligence and sovereignty, digital trust and cyber diplomacy, investment and digital economy, digital identity, and talents and creative industries.

Rising cybercrime and digital challenges

Africa is rapidly digitizing its public services, payments, and commercial exchanges, but the threat of cybercrime is also increasing. According to INTERPOL, artificial intelligence is now involved in 55 percent of cybercrimes reported on the continent, and declared losses have increased from 192 million dollars in 2024 to 484 million dollars in 2025.

Event structure and activities

The event will feature five major themes at the heart of African digital transformations, spread over three stages: Digital Africa Stage for plenaries and roundtables, Innovation Talk for inspiring speeches, and Tech Agora for African digital solutions and entrepreneurship. These will be complemented by official and partner keynotes, Net Discover sessions, the CAF CIO/CISO Club reserved for CIOs and CISOs, and BtoB and BtoG meetings scheduled via the Forum's application.

HackerLab competition and schedule

From November 15 to 17, the 80 finalists of HackerLab 2026, organized by ASIN in partnership with the Cyber Africa Forum, will compete for 48 hours at the Golden Tulip. The opening ceremony, on Monday, November 16 at 9:30 am, will be marked by official speeches by ministers and leaders, an award ceremony, and the signing of agreements. The Forum will close on Tuesday, November 17 at 6:00 pm.

Initiatives to foster innovation

Beyond conferences and roundtables, the CAF 2026 will highlight several initiatives aimed at stimulating innovation and collaborations. The HackerLab, organized in partnership with ASIN, will bring together 80 finalists around a cybersecurity competition. The Tech 4 Creative Industries program will explore the applications of artificial intelligence in creative industries, while the Expert College will contribute to reflections on the major digital challenges of the continent.

Forum goals and registration

Ange KOUA, Editorial Manager of the Cyber Africa Forum, stated: "We have designed this edition so that every participant, whether a public decision-maker, a cybersecurity expert, an investor, an entrepreneur, or a student, leaves Cotonou with concrete perspectives and new collaboration opportunities. Our ambition is to make the Cyber Africa Forum a space where exchanges lead to recommendations, partnerships, and initiatives capable of sustainably supporting the digital transformation of the continent."

Registration and event details

Registration for the Cyber Africa Forum 2026 is open on the Forum's official website: www.cyberafricaforum.com. The event will take place on November 16 and 17, 2026, at the Sofitel Cotonou Marina Hotel & Spa in Benin.