Africa Tech Festival returns to Cape Town from 17 to 19 November 2026, bringing telecoms, data centre, AI, cybersecurity and startup leaders to CTICC. If you are planning to attend as a delegate, exhibitor, speaker or investor, one of your first decisions will be where to stay. This guide covers what the festival offers, what to expect on the ground, and why accommodation in Durbanville, at Ruslamere Hotel & Conference Centre, is a calm and practical base for the week.
The organisers describe Africa Tech Festival as one of Africa’s largest technology events. The 2025 edition drew more than 15,000 attendees and over 300 exhibitors, according to published coverage, so it is a busy week for the city. CTICC 1 and CTICC 2 are connected by a skybridge, which makes it easy to move between the exhibition floor and the other halls.
What is on at the festival
The 2026 programme is organised around six pillars: Telecoms & Connectivity, Data Centres, AI, Cybersecurity, Startups and Digital Transformation. The AI Summit Cape Town is co-located within the festival under the AI pillar, and the South African government has joined as a strategic partner and host country. The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, was announced as the opening address speaker.
Speakers announced so far come from South African corporates, pan-African banks, state enterprises and multinational brands.
The event runs as a mix of keynotes, expert discussions, an international expo, networking sessions and startup pitching, so most attendees have full days that run from early meetings into evening networking.
Why Cape Town is the right host city
Cape Town has built a strong reputation as a technology hub. According to the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa, the Cape Town to Stellenbosch tech corridor includes more than 450 technology firms employing close to 40,000 professionals, and the city is home to over 60% of South Africa’s startups.
For visitors, that means a week at the festival often comes with extra meetings, investor catch-ups and company visits on either side of the main event.
Choosing where to stay: hotels in Cape Town and beyond
Most delegates, like the ones at Africa Tech Festival start by searching for hotels in Cape Town near the convention centre. Those hotels are convenient, but they also fill early and tend to be priced at a premium when a large event is in town. If you have been typing hotels near me into a search bar and finding limited availability, it is worth looking a little further out.
Many visitors also consider accommodation to rent in Cape Town, such as apartments and short-term lets. These can work for longer stays, but a hotel gives you a reception team, secure parking and on-site support, which matters when your days are full and your schedule is tight.
Durbanville sits about 30 minutes north of the Cape Town city centre, depending on traffic. It offers a quieter evening, easier parking and the Durbanville Wine Valley on the doorstep, which makes accommodation in Durbanville a good fit for visitors who want a proper break from a busy conference floor.
How Ruslamere can help
Ruslamere Hotel & Conference Centre is at 14 Langeberg Road, Durbanville, and is set up to look after business travellers. Our Suites combine a large bed with a proper desk and workspace, a private lounge with a leather couch and a kitchenette with a kettle and tea tray, and a door that opens onto the garden.
You can take a late call, review the day’s notes and still unwind. Our Luxury Studios and Self-Catering Studios suit solo travellers and smaller teams, which is useful for longer stays.
Free Wi-Fi is available throughout your stay, which matters when you are following up on leads, preparing presentations or working across time zones. Secure, gated parking is practical if you are driving a hired vehicle into the city each day. After a long day, the pool and garden are a quiet place to switch off.
If your company is sending a team, our conference centre is available for pre-event briefings, post-event debriefs and planning sessions, so your group can stay and meet in one place without arranging separate venues.
Booking directly with our team means you can discuss group stays, room types and length of stay with people who know the area. Companies sending several delegates can enquire about group arrangements early.
Plan your week
Quick admin notes on the Africa Tech Festival:
If your pass includes the VIP and partner programme, remember that it begins on 16 November, a day before the main expo opens, so plan your arrival accordingly.
Arrive a day early to settle in, spend an evening in the winelands if time allows, and keep your last evening free for networking before you travel home. In late spring, Cape Town evenings can still be cool, so a light layer is worth packing.
Frequently asked questions
When is Africa Tech Festival 2026? The expo and content days run from 17 to 19 November 2026 at CTICC 1 & 2 in Cape Town, with the VIP and partner programme starting on 16 November.
Where can I find accommodation in Cape Town for Africa Tech Festival? Options include hotels close to the convention centre, accommodation to rent in Cape Town, and quieter stays in nearby suburbs. Ruslamere offers accommodation in Durbanville, about 30 minutes north of the city centre depending on traffic.
Does Ruslamere have a workspace and Wi-Fi? Yes. Our Executive Suite includes a desk and workspace, and free Wi-Fi is available during your stay.
Book your stay
Accommodation for large events fills quickly, so enquire early. To check availability or ask about group bookings, WhatsApp us on 067 692 4325, email info@ruslamere.co.za or visit ruslamere.co.za.
