Alexandra summit to connect township businesses, technology builders, corporates, government and enterprise development leaders around practical digital adoption, AI skills and market access.
South Africa’s digital economy cannot be truly inclusive if the township economy remains positioned mainly as a consumer of technology. That is the challenge at the heart of the Kasi Tech Summit 2026, taking place on 30 September 2026 in Alexandra, Johannesburg.
The summit will bring together around 300 participants from across the technology and township economy ecosystem, including township entrepreneurs, tech founders, developers, digital service providers, corporates, enterprise and supplier development leaders, government, investors and ecosystem enablers. The focus is clear: move the conversation from technology awareness to practical adoption, skills, partnerships and economic participation.
Kasi Tech Summit builds on the Kasi Tech Series and will sharpen the focus on Tech and AI Skills for Kasi Entrepreneurs. It is designed to create a bridge between the technology already reshaping business and the entrepreneurs, communities and local economies that must be equipped to use it, build with it and benefit from it.
“The township economy cannot be a consumer of technology forever. It must become a builder, adopter and owner of technology. Our goal with Kasi Tech is to move AI, digital skills, cloud, connectivity and practical technology solutions from conference stages and corporate boardrooms into the communities where millions of South Africans live, trade and build businesses.”
Bulelani Balabala, Township Entrepreneur Developer and Group CEO IAF
What the summit is designed to unlock
- Practical AI and digital skills that township businesses can apply immediately.
- Stronger links between township-based technology builders and corporate procurement, ESD and supplier development opportunities.
- Access to technology, digital infrastructure and solutions that can improve productivity, customer reach and business efficiency.
- A platform for corporates, government and technology companies to engage directly with the township economy and build relevant solutions with the market, not only for the market.
The summit will also create space for homegrown technology products and solutions to be showcased through the Kasi Tech exhibition. The exhibition is open to Kasi-based businesses, small businesses, developers, corporates and government agencies with technology products, services or solutions that can contribute to South Africa’s digital future.
Why this matters now
AI, automation, cloud platforms, digital payments, e-commerce, connectivity and data are changing how businesses compete. For the township economy, the opportunity is bigger than learning how to use new tools. It is about productivity, participation in new value chains, the creation of technology businesses and ensuring that digital transformation does not deepen existing economic gaps.
Kasi Tech Summit is therefore not being built as a technology conference for technology’s sake. It is a township economy platform that asks a practical question: how do we make technology useful, accessible and economically meaningful to businesses operating in communities that are often under-served by mainstream innovation platforms?
A call to corporate South Africa and the technology ecosystem
The summit is also a direct invitation to corporate South Africa, technology companies, banks, telecommunications businesses, cloud and software providers, enterprise and supplier development teams, government and development agencies to take a more active role in township digital transformation.
There is an opportunity to support skills development, provide infrastructure, showcase relevant solutions, identify township suppliers, open market access pathways and build partnerships that continue beyond 30 September. The ambition is to create practical value on the day and stronger pipelines for collaboration after the summit.
Kasi Tech Summit 2026 at a glance
- Date: 30 September 2026
- Location: Alexandra, Johannesburg
- Focus: Tech and AI Skills for Kasi Entrepreneurs
- Audience: Township businesses, tech founders, developers, corporates, ESD leaders, government, investors and ecosystem enablers
- Entrance: Free, registration required (Registration and more information: www.kasitech.co.za) ● Exhibition space: Available for qualifying technology-focused businesses and organisations