CAISEC 2026 Concludes with Record International Participation, Reinforcing Egypt’s Position as a Regional Cybersecurity Hub
The fifth edition of the Cyber and Information Security Exhibition and Conference (CAISEC 2026) concluded with record-breaking participation and unprecedented international engagement, further cementing its status as one of the largest cybersecurity and digital sovereignty platforms in the Middle East and Africa.
Held under the patronage of Egyptian Prime Minister Dr. Mostafa Madbouly and supported by more than ten ministries and government entities, the event brought together policymakers, cybersecurity leaders, technology experts, regulators, and global industry players to discuss the future of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital resilience, and sovereign digital infrastructure.
Speaking during the closing session, Osama Kamal, Chairman of Mercury Communications, the organizer of CAISEC, revealed that this year's edition achieved significant growth across all key indicators. The number of participants increased by more than 40 percent compared to the previous edition, while visitor attendance rose by 23 percent, reflecting growing regional and international confidence in the event and its role in shaping cybersecurity strategies across emerging markets.
Kamal said the strong government support for the conference underscores Egypt’s recognition of cybersecurity as a strategic pillar of national security, economic development, and digital transformation. He noted that the event attracted representatives, experts, and officials from 22 countries across Africa, the Arab world, and beyond.
One of the major highlights of CAISEC 2026 was the organization of the first regional cybersecurity roundtable dedicated to strengthening cyber cooperation and digital sovereignty. The initiative brought together government representatives, regulators, and international organizations to explore common cybersecurity challenges and identify opportunities for strategic collaboration.
The conference also hosted four high-level closed-door executive forums focused on cybersecurity priorities within critical sectors, including telecommunications and information technology, banking and financial services, aviation, and oil and gas. The sessions featured senior executives, cybersecurity leaders, and regulatory stakeholders discussing sector-specific threats and resilience strategies.
The accompanying exhibition featured 40 exhibitors showcasing the latest cybersecurity technologies, digital defense solutions, and AI-driven security innovations. In total, nearly 100 companies participated in the event, including 60 sponsors representing leading global and regional technology firms.
On the content side, CAISEC 2026 welcomed more than 180 speakers and experts from Egypt and around the world, addressing topics ranging from cybersecurity governance and digital risk management to artificial intelligence, critical infrastructure protection, and digital sovereignty.
The conference witnessed strong governmental participation, including senior representatives from the ministries of Communications and Information Technology, Finance, and Petroleum and Mineral Resources, alongside officials from the Central Bank of Egypt, the National Telecom Regulatory Authority (NTRA), the Information Technology Industry Development Agency (ITIDA), the National Telecommunication Institute (NTI), and the Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA).
International participation also expanded significantly, with cybersecurity agencies and institutions from Tunisia, Ghana, Chad, Niger, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates taking part in the event.
Among the prominent international figures attending the conference were Mohammed Ben Omar, Director General of the Arab Information and Communication Technologies Organization (AICTO); Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO of Smart Africa; Divine Selase Agbeti, Director General of Ghana’s Cyber Security Authority and Chairman of the African Network of Cybersecurity Authorities (ANCA); and Dr. Jan Ellsberger, Director General of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI).
The event also welcomed representatives from several national cybersecurity agencies, including Tunisia’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANCS), Côte d’Ivoire’s National Cybersecurity Center (CNAC), Ghana’s National Cyber Security Centre (NC3), France’s National Cybersecurity Agency (ANSSI), and other official delegations from across Africa.
During the closing ceremony, participating Arab and African delegations, cybersecurity leaders, and institutional partners were honored for their contributions to advancing regional cyber cooperation and strengthening digital security capabilities.
The final day also witnessed the signing of a strategic cooperation agreement between Mercury Communications and AICTO in the presence of Egypt’s Minister of Finance Ahmed Kouchouk. The partnership aims to enhance collaboration in cybersecurity, digital capacity building, knowledge exchange, and regional skills development across Arab countries.
Commenting on the conference’s success, Kamal said the achievements of CAISEC 2026 reflect the accelerating digital transformation taking place across Egypt and the wider region. He noted that the event has evolved into a highly influential regional platform that contributes to shaping the future of cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and digital sovereignty while fostering collaboration between governments, private-sector organizations, and international institutions.
He added that the conference’s continued growth demonstrates Egypt’s ability to host world-class technology events and reinforces its position as a leading regional center for cybersecurity dialogue, innovation, and digital transformation.
