Expert keynotes
Talks from leading voices on the trends and challenges shaping cybersecurity and AI in Africa.
13 – 14 NOVEMBER 2026
2ND EDITIONAFRICAN SHOWCASE OF CYBERSECURITY AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE PROFESSIONS AND INNOVATIONS
DOUALA, CAMEROON
13–14 November 2026
- —Days
- —Hours
- —Min
- —Sec
About the summit
Two days to build Africa's cyber & AI future
SMI-CYBIA — the African showcase for local cybersecurity and AI professions and innovation — returns for a second edition. A platform for exchange, recruitment and discovery, connecting talent, institutions and innovators across the continent.
Across two days, attendees access keynotes from leading practitioners, hands-on workshops, a flagship hackathon, the Wargame 2026 simulation and a dedicated careers forum — all designed to turn ideas and skills into concrete opportunities.
Free B2B meetings, an exhibition floor and live demonstrations make SMI-CYBIA the place to meet the people shaping the region's digital sovereignty.
Expected participants
- +200
- Professionals
- +100
- Exhibiting companies
- +25
- International speakers
- +100
- Students
- +50
- Internship opportunities
Highlights
Three sessions you can't miss
At the heart of the two days: a full-scale cyber simulation, a pan-African hackathon and a careers forum dedicated to recruitment.
Blue teamRed team
Cyber Wargame
A strategic attack & defence simulation
Live blue-team / red-team exercise: detection, containment, communication and recovery under the pressure of a real incident, guided by seasoned advisors. Access included with VIP passes.
Get a VIP passPan-African hackathon
SMI-CybIA Challenge
An immersive competition built on real-world cybersecurity scenarios. Teams design defensive and AI solutions against the clock.
View the programmeCyber & AI Careers Forum
Guidance, recruitment & careers
Meet recruiters, share your CV and explore career and internship opportunities across the whole cyber & AI ecosystem.
Why attendWhy attend
Learn moreEverything in one place
A programme built to move you forward — whether you come to learn, to hire, to compete or to grow your network.
Thematic panels
Interactive discussions on sovereignty, regulation, talent and emerging threats.
SMI-CYBIA Challenge
A flagship hackathon where teams build defensive and AI solutions against the clock.
Startup pitches
Local innovators pitch their projects to a jury of investors and operators.
Hands-on workshops
Practical, tooling-focused sessions on SOC, detection, secure AI and more.
Careers forum
Meet recruiters, share your CV and explore cyber & AI roles across the region.
Wargame 2026
A live blue-team / red-team simulation putting incident response to the test.
Free B2B networking
Curated meetings with institutions, vendors and peers — at no extra cost.
Speakers
See all speakersMeet the people on stage
Practitioners, researchers and operators from across Africa and beyond.
Programme
View full programmeTwo days, four tracks
Keynotes and panels on the main stage, hands-on workshops, the Challenge and the Wargame, plus structured networking.
Day 1
Friday, November 13, 202608:30
09:30
Main stageDoors open & opening protocol
Welcome, accreditation and official opening of the second edition.
09:30
10:30
Main stageOpening keynote: the state of African cyber
Setting the scene for two days of cybersecurity, AI and local innovation.
With Djimgou Ngameni
10:30
11:00
NetworkingNetworking break
Coffee and B2B introductions on the exhibition floor.
11:00
12:15
Main stagePanel: digital sovereignty in practice
Regulation, infrastructure and the policies shaping the region's autonomy.
With Dr. Hilaire Noubissi, Djimgou Ngameni
12:15
13:30
NetworkingLunch & exhibition
Demonstrations and stand visits over lunch.
13:30
15:00
WorkshopWorkshop: building a modern SOC
Hands-on detection engineering and incident-response fundamentals.
With Dr. Hilaire Noubissi
15:00
18:00
Challenge & WargameSMI-CYBIA Challenge — kick-off
Teams take on the flagship hackathon: defensive and AI builds against the clock.
19:00
21:30
NetworkingCocktail dinner (on invitation)
Evening networking with speakers, partners and VIP pass holders.
Day 2
Saturday, November 14, 202609:00
10:00
Main stageKeynote: secure & sovereign AI
Applied AI, safety and what responsible deployment looks like locally.
With Dr. Hilaire Noubissi
10:00
11:00
Main stageTalk: growing African cyber talent
From training to hiring — closing the regional skills gap.
With Dana Bahanag
11:00
11:30
NetworkingNetworking break
Coffee and curated B2B meetings.
11:30
13:00
Challenge & WargameWargame 2026 simulation
A live blue-team / red-team exercise testing real incident response.
With Djimgou Ngameni
13:00
14:00
NetworkingLunch & exhibition
Final stand visits and demonstrations.
14:00
15:30
NetworkingCareers & recruitment forum
Meet recruiters, share your CV and explore open roles.
With Dana Bahanag
15:30
16:45
Challenge & WargameStartup pitch competition
Local startups pitch to a jury of investors and operators.
With Djimgou Ngameni
17:00
18:00
Main stageAwards & closing ceremony
Challenge results, pitch winners and the close of SMI-CYBIA 2026.
Looking back at 2025
Results of the first edition
Launched in 2025 in Douala, SMI-CYBIA gathered a broad ecosystem from its very first edition — momentum we're scaling up this November 2026.
+500
Visitors
+20
Stands
+10
Hackathon teams
26
Partners & institutional supporters
Participant profile
- Visitors
- 75%
- Stands
- 15%
- Hackathon teams
- 10%
All detailed figures are in the brochure.
Download the brochureIn pictures
A look back at the first edition in Douala.
Tickets
Choose your pass
From a free standard pass to VIP access with the Wargame and priority workshops. Exhibitor stands and sponsorship options are available too.
Standard
Full access to the open programme.
Free
- Access to panels & conferences
- Hands-on workshops (subject to seats)
- Exhibition floor & demonstrations
- General networking
Student VIP
VIP experience at a student rate.
FCFA 10/ per pass
- Everything in Standard
- Wargame 2026 access
- Priority workshop seating
- VIP zone & lounge
- Student verification required
- Most popular
Professional VIP
The complete summit experience.
FCFA 20,000/ per pass
- Everything in Standard
- Wargame 2026 access
- Priority workshop seating
- VIP zone & lounge
- Cocktail dinner invitation
Venue
Douala Convention Center
SMI-CYBIA 2026 takes place in the heart of Douala, Cameroon's economic capital — easy to reach and built for large gatherings.
Douala Convention Center, Boulevard de la Liberté, Akwa, Douala, Cameroon
Learn more- 20 minutes from Douala International Airport (DLA)
- Central Akwa location, well served by taxis and ride-hailing
- On-site and nearby parking available
Partners
Backed by the ecosystem
SMI-CYBIA is made possible by institutions, companies and communities investing in Africa's cyber & AI future.
Presentation brochure
All of SMI-CYBIA 2026 in a single document
Vision, programme, activities, first-edition results and partner packages — download the official brochure (PDF) to share with your team or leadership.
Download the brochure (PDF)PDF · 14 pages
Be part of SMI-CYBIA 2026
Two days. One ecosystem. Secure your pass and join the people building Africa's cyber & AI future.