About the Event

GITEX Global is the world's largest annual technology and startup exhibition, organised by Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and KAOUN International. The 2026 edition - branded GITEX 5.0 - marks a landmark transition: for the first time in the event's 46-year history, it relocates from its traditional Dubai World Trade Centre venue to the Dubai Exhibition Centre at Expo City Dubai, a site undergoing a $2.7 billion expansion to become the largest purpose-built indoor events venue in the region at 2.2 million square feet. The event runs December 7-11, 2026 - a strategic shift from the traditional October dates to Dubai's peak tourism and business season. The 2025 edition drew over 200,000 attendees from 180+ countries, 6,800+ exhibiting companies, and 400+ government entities; the 2026 edition is expected to exceed these figures with the expanded venue. GITEX Global and Expand North Star - the world's largest startup and investor event - return together to a single location for 2026. The event also introduces TechCation, a new initiative blending technology and leisure through citywide activations across Dubai.

Audience & Attendees

GITEX Global draws global technology executives at C-suite level, startup founders and scale-ups, venture capital and institutional investors, government and regulatory leaders, enterprise technology buyers, innovation teams, and ecosystem partners from across the world. The audience spans every major global technology market - with particular representation from MENA, Africa, Asia, and Europe - and covers enterprise technology, AI, cybersecurity, fintech, health tech, quantum, and smart city sectors. Past exhibitors have included Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Huawei, and Oracle alongside thousands of startups. The GITEX Scale Summit on December 7 is dedicated specifically to global leaders for high-level strategic dialogue on AI economies and policy frameworks.

Programme Structure

The five-day programme is structured in two phases. December 7 opens exclusively with the GITEX Scale Summit - a new outcomes-focused day for global leaders covering strategic dialogue on the decisive trends, opportunities, and policy frameworks influencing global AI economies. December 8-11 forms the main Expo, with technology showcases across all sectors, conference stages, startup zones within the Expand North Star programme, investor meeting hubs, country pavilions, co-innovation hubs, and the TechCation lifestyle activations running across Dubai. The programme includes live-action workshops, networking events, and product launches throughout. The Expand North Star component provides dedicated infrastructure for startups, investors, and accelerators seeking funding, partnerships, and global market access.

Main Topics

GITEX Global covers the full breadth of enterprise and emerging technology, with particular emphasis in 2026 on AI and agentic AI; quantum computing; cybersecurity and digital trust; cloud, data centres, and AI infrastructure; biosciences and health tech; advanced manufacturing; smart mobility and smart cities; fintech and digital assets; climate tech and sustainability; telecom and intelligent connectivity; and the policy and governance frameworks shaping global AI economies. The GITEX Scale Summit addresses sovereign AI strategy, AI economy policy, and the frameworks enabling global technology investment flows.

Closing Session

The main Expo closes on December 11. TechCation activations continue across Dubai as a parallel experience throughout the event period.

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