A focused EU delegation heads to Africa’s largest tech fair

A group of nine companies supported by the European Innovation Council will exhibit at GITEX Africa 2026 in Marrakech from 7 to 9 April. They will showcase technologies ranging from IoT connectivity and hydrogen fuel cells to agritech, automated broadcasting and solar desalination. The delegation is organised under the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0, designed to help high‑potential European deep‑tech firms test new markets and build partnerships in strategic geographies.

GITEX Africa has evolved into a major convening point for the continent’s tech ecosystem. Its 2025 edition reported more than 45,000 participants from over 130 countries, 1,400 exhibitors and over 1,500 investor meetings across three days. For small European firms, such scale can translate into visibility and lead generation, although sustained follow‑up and local execution typically determine real outcomes.

Why this market and why now

Africa is frequently billed as one of the fastest‑growing digital regions. The article cites a projection that the continent’s digital economy could reach €2.5 trillion by 2030, underpinned by a push for digital sovereignty and technology addressing socio‑economic needs. Forecasts vary by methodology and currency assumptions, so the headline figure should be read as directional rather than definitive. What matters for market entry is the uneven distribution of connectivity, purchasing power and regulatory capacity across countries, which means pilots must be aligned to local partners, infrastructure and procurement realities.

EU institutions on the ground: policy meets go‑to‑market

The EIC Pavilion will host partners from the European Commission’s Directorate‑General for Research and Innovation and the Digital for Development Hub, an initiative supported by DG CONNECT. The aim is to connect company‑level dealmaking with policy frameworks that enable longer‑term collaboration.

DG RTD will present three initiatives: the Africa‑Europe Innovation Platform, EURAXESS Africa and the ENRICH in Africa Centre. In parallel, the D4D Hub will promote multi‑stakeholder collaboration and investment in line with the EU’s Global Gateway. Collectively these initiatives target researcher mobility, ecosystem building and coordinated investment. The open question is how effectively these policy layers convert into procurement, joint R&D and scalable deployments for SMEs.

Who is exhibiting: the nine EIC‑backed companies

Company snapshots and use‑case fit

1oT positions as a carrier‑agnostic IoT backbone with its own eSIM infrastructure. In African markets where multi‑operator coverage and roaming can be patchy, eSIM orchestration can reduce switching friction, although real gains depend on local MNO relationships, tariff structures and regulatory approvals.

Agrivi’s farm management software targets yield optimisation and sustainability reporting. Adoption tends to hinge on the availability of reliable field data, advisory services and distributor channels that can onboard smallholders as well as commercial farms.

AquaB’s nanobubble generators address aeration and gas transfer challenges in water‑dependent industries. The proposition is lower energy use and fewer consumables. The near‑term test will be lifecycle economics in aquaculture and wastewater treatment where maintenance and fouling drive total cost of ownership.

CardLab brings biometric smartcards for passwordless access. Offline verification can be a strength for critical infrastructure with constrained connectivity. Key barriers are procurement cycles, interoperability with existing readers and adherence to local data protection requirements.

Cinfo automates sports broadcasting for lower‑tier leagues and community venues. If cost reductions hold up in practice, federations and schools could expand coverage. Accuracy of player tracking, rights management and local bandwidth constraints will shape adoption.

Pertinent develops plant‑based pest control as an alternative to conventional pesticides. Regulatory approval pathways, agronomic efficacy across climates and price points versus incumbents will determine scalability.

Picterus offers smartphone‑based neonatal jaundice screening. Given clinician shortages and distance to labs, validated point‑of‑care screening could be impactful if integrated with maternal health programmes and referral pathways.

PowerUP’s hydrogen fuel cell generators target off‑grid and backup power. Potential niches include telecom towers, health clinics and remote sites. Fuel logistics and hydrogen availability remain practical constraints in many countries.

SolarDew’s solar desalination systems address potable water needs in coastal and brackish settings. Site‑specific energy yields, throughput and maintenance profiles will be critical for municipal and community deployments.

What support the companies will receive

Through the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0, the delegation will receive hands‑on support to maximise on‑site outcomes. This includes a dedicated booth within the EIC Pavilion, personalised business coaching to refine market strategies, targeted matchmaking with investors and corporates, and visibility support to raise international exposure.

On 12 March 2026 the nine companies will attend an online pre‑event briefing with programme representatives and regional market experts. The session will provide practical insights into the African tech landscape, outline opportunities at GITEX and offer advice on networking and meetings. In the weeks before the fair they will receive mentoring on value proposition, positioning and pitching, and participate in curated investor sessions and one‑to‑one meetings with corporates and ecosystem partners.

About the EIC International Trade Fairs Programme 3.0

ITF 3.0 supports the internationalisation of EIC‑backed startups, scale‑ups and SMEs across 12 trade fairs in the EU, MENA and the USA during 2024–2026. It covers sectors including biotech and pharma, health and medical care, clean tech in environment and energy, and new and industrial technologies. The programme offers end‑to‑end support with expert coaching, pre‑departure briefings, B2B matchmaking and follow‑up. It builds on the EIC Overseas Trade Fairs Programme 2.0.

Participation is via open calls typically launched about six months before each trade fair on the EIC Community Platform. Applications are evaluated by external experts, with selection based on fit to the fair’s objectives, internationalisation strategy and commercial readiness.

Event details and preparation timeline

How this builds on the first EIC mission to GITEX Africa

The 2026 delegation follows the EIC’s first presence at GITEX Africa in 2025, when five EIC‑backed companies exhibited and EU officials participated across conference panels and workshops. That mission prioritised coaching, pre‑arranged meetings and visibility at the EIC Pavilion. As with most trade fair engagements, the long‑term measure of success will be deal conversion, local partnerships and follow‑on deployments rather than footfall metrics alone.

Opportunities and open questions

EU participation at GITEX Africa signals an intent to link company‑level innovation with policy and capacity‑building instruments across the continent. The selected companies align with urgent needs in connectivity, agriculture, water, health and energy. Yet market heterogeneity, complex procurement and the need for local service footprints are persistent hurdles. Claims such as drastic cost reductions or rapid scale should be validated against pilots, total cost of ownership and integration with existing infrastructure and regulations, including data protection and AI governance.

Learn more and stay informed

Highlights from the EIC’s 2025 GITEX Africa mission are available via the EIC Community recap article, which includes a video summary. For ongoing updates on calls, success stories and partner opportunities under the EIC Business Acceleration Services, readers can subscribe to the EIC BAS Newsletter.

Questions about participation in the GITEX Africa 2026 mission should be directed to the EIC Community Helpdesk. Select the category EVENT – EIC ITF Programme – GITEX Africa 2026 to route the enquiry correctly.