Web Summit Is Coming to Africa — and Cabo Verde Gets the First Event

Web Summit will host its first-ever event on the African continent this December, with Cabo Verde chosen as the location.

The event will take the form of a “Spotlight” gathering — an initiative designed to bring together emerging ecosystems with established global networks. The specific city within Cabo Verde has not yet been announced.

The expansion to Africa follows Web Summit’s entry into the Middle East with a Qatar event, and adds the continent to a roster that already includes Lisbon, Toronto, Rio de Janeiro, and Hong Kong. Many had expected the summit’s African debut to land in South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, or Egypt.

The event is being organized in partnership with the Parque Tecnológico de Cabo Verde, with involvement from both public and private institutions. Web Summit CEO Paddy Cosgrave noted the relevance of Cabo Verde’s position as a bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

For Cabo Verde, the announcement serves as a strategic endorsement of its investments in digital infrastructure, entrepreneurship programs, and policy frameworks aimed at attracting international tech players.