MWC26 Kigali has been postponed

Details: Vaughan O'Grady; Category: Wireless Networks; 03 June 2026; 167 views

There’s been a surprising announcement from mobile industry association the GSMA: it has announced the postponement of its MWC26 Kigali exhibition and conference – only two weeks before its planned opening on 16 June.

As for the reasons for the postponement, so far there has been little to go on except a brief statement in which the GSMA acknowledged the inconvenience the decision may cause to participants and thanked stakeholders for their understanding.

The organisation has, however, said that a new date for the event will be announced in due course.

“We look forward to convening the African continent’s most influential connectivity event again soon,” the statement added.

MWC Kigali is described on the GSMA website as one of Africa’s leading connectivity and technology events, bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, and investors from across the continent and beyond, not to mention Africa’s six largest mobile network operators.

Promotional material for the event says: "The high-impact conference programme operates under the banner of the IQ Era: where brilliant human thinking meets intelligent technology."

It also promises a chance for attendees to gain a deeper understanding of how innovation and tech made for fast-moving African markets are transforming health, manufacturing and education and, new for 2026, an expanded and elevated fintech programme.

Last year’s three-day event, which was organised by the GSMA with the support of the Ministry of ICT & Innovation of Rwanda, took place from 23-25 October,  