Trade Fairs International, the organizer of the Cairo International Technology Conference and Exhibition (Cairo ICT), has announced the appointment of Dr. Nidal Abouzeki, Founder and General Manager of Orient Planet Group, as the Secretary General of the 1st Middle East and Africa AI Awards 2026 (MEA AI Awards 2026). The awards aim to honor companies and individuals who have made significant contributions to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and its applications in the region.
The MEA AI Awards 2026 will take place alongside the 3rd edition of the Artificial Intelligence, Data Centers, and Cloud Computing Conference (AIDC²), which is part of the 30th edition of Cairo ICT, scheduled to take place from November 7 to 10, 2026, at the Egypt International Exhibition Center in New Cairo. The event is sponsored by the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Osama Kamal, Chairman of Trade Fairs International, stated that Cairo ICT has been a regional hub for understanding technological transformations and anticipating future trends for 30 years. He added that the MEA AI Awards 2026 will recognize companies and individuals who have transformed AI technologies into strategic advantages for their organizations and markets, contributing to the development of a new economy in the region.
Dr. Nidal Abouzeki expressed his gratitude to Trade Fairs International for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the 1st MEA AI Awards 2026. He highlighted that the region has witnessed significant developments in AI over the past two years, including infrastructure development and investments in Gulf countries, startup companies and talent in Egypt and the Arab Mashreq, and promising opportunities in Africa.
As Secretary General of the MEA AI Awards 2026, Dr. Abouzeki will oversee the nomination, evaluation, and selection process until the announcement of the results, working closely with the judging committee to review submissions and select winners based on established criteria. The awards will have 30 categories across 11 themes, and nominations are open to companies and individuals from Egypt, Gulf countries, the Arab Mashreq, and Africa.
The MEA AI Awards 2026 aim to promote the role of the AIDC² conference as a platform that brings together experiences, markets, and talents in the Middle East and Africa, linking discussions on AI with its practical applications and economic value. The awards will recognize contributions with tangible impact, solidifying merit as a criterion for recognition and appreciation.
The awards ceremony is scheduled to take place in Cairo as part of the 30th edition of Cairo ICT. The event has secured partnerships with Forbes Middle East as a media partner, Middle East AI News as a specialized news partner, and G&K Administrative Consulting as a strategic partner for AI.
Key points
- Dr. Nidal Abouzeki appointed as Secretary General of MEA AI Awards 2026
- Awards aim to recognize contributions to AI development in Middle East and Africa
- Event to take place alongside Cairo ICT 2026
