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.
Our mission
SMI-CYBIA was born from a simple conviction: Africa has the talent, the ideas and the ambition to build its own digital sovereignty. Our mission is to create the meeting point where that talent connects with institutions, companies and innovators — turning local expertise into concrete opportunities for careers, recruitment and investment.
The summit is built for cybersecurity and AI professionals, students and recent graduates, leaders and recruiters, startups and public institutions. Everyone finds their own track: upskill, recruit, compete, exhibit or forge partnerships — all across two days in Douala.
The event at a glance
- Dates
- 13 – 14 November 2026
- Venue
- Douala Convention Center, Cameroon
- Edition
- 2nd edition
- Languages
- French & English
- Activities
- Keynotes, workshops, hackathon, wargame, forum
- Access
- Free or VIP pass
Expected participants
- +200
- Professionals
- +100
- Exhibiting companies
- +25
- International speakers
- +100
- Students
- +50
- Internship opportunities
Who is behind SMI-CYBIA
SMI-CYBIA is driven by a collective of actors committed to digital sovereignty and the growth of cyber & AI talent in Africa.
Lead organizerRHOPEN LABS
An innovation and training hub in cybersecurity and AI, behind the summit and the drive to strengthen technical capacity in Central Africa.
Co-organizer · Talent & recruitmentRHOPEN TALENTS
Leads talent development and recruitment programmes, connecting Africa's cyber & AI professionals with employers across the continent.
Scientific partnerAfrican Association of Cyberstrategy Researchers
A network of researchers and experts that shapes the thinking on cyberstrategy and animates the event's scientific community.
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.
Be part of SMI-CYBIA 2026
Two days. One ecosystem. Secure your pass and join the people building Africa's cyber & AI future.