Building the Talent and Innovation Behind Africa’s Digital Infrastructure

8 - 10 September 2026

Africa’s digital infrastructure ambitions are accelerating - but skills, talent pipelines and innovation capacity are not keeping pace.
The Startup & Skills Hub brings together startups, telecom and infrastructure operators, cloud platforms, universities, investors and accelerators to focus on the people and technologies behind infrastructure performance.

Featuring the Catapult Accelerator Programme, workshops and live collaboration, the Hub shifts the conversation from “skills gaps” to practical solutions. It connects startups with operators, aligns training with real industry needs, and shows how infrastructure investment can translate into jobs, services and local innovation.
The Startup & Skills Hub connects digital infrastructure build out with the talent and innovation required to sustain it.

What the Summit helps you unlock

Startups & Innovators

Direct access to operators, data centre companies and infrastructure owners looking for new technologies, pilots and solutions - and visibility within the wider ITW & Datacloud Africa ecosystem.

Telecom & Infrastructure Operators

Exposure to emerging startups, automation tools and AI-enabled solutions addressing real operational and efficiency challenges across fibre, data centres and networks.

Universities & Training Providers

Clear insight into industry skill needs, allowing programmes to align more closely with real career pathways and employer demand.

Investors & Accelerators

Early-stage visibility into companies building technologies and services that support Africa’s digital infrastructure ecosystem.

Students & Early-Career Talent

Direct access to the biggest players in the industry, practical insight into career paths across digital infrastructure, and actionable guidance on how to secure roles, build relevant skills and enter the sector.

Agenda highlights:

A practical hub connecting talent, startups and industry to build Africa’s digital infrastructure workforce.

  • Developing the Talent that Powers Digital Infrastructure
  • Turning AI Opportunity into Infrastructure Impact
  • Startup–Operator Collaboration in Practice
  • Young Talent Expo Tour & Workshop
Startup & Skills Hub photo