Uganda is preparing to host a continental technology and intellectual property gathering aimed at strengthening digital commerce, improving cross-border trade and creating new growth opportunities for African businesses.

The KTA Annual Africa Technology and Intellectual Property Symposium (ATIS) 2026 is scheduled for October 22–23 at the Kampala Marriott Hotel. Organisers outlined the event’s priorities during a press conference on October 15, highlighting the importance of cooperation between governments, businesses, technology providers and financial institutions.

The symposium will focus on the theme “Building Africa’s Digital Single Market: The Role of Government and the Private Sector in Achieving Regional Integration.”

Addressing Barriers to Cross-Border Digital Trade

Kenneth Muhangi, a technology, media and telecommunications partner at KTA Advocates and co-convenor of the event, said African businesses need stronger institutional support to expand beyond their domestic markets.

Although digital platforms allow small companies to reach customers online, international transactions can still be complicated by payment systems, customs procedures, delivery costs and differences in regulatory requirements.

These obstacles can be particularly challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises that want to sell products or services in neighbouring countries but lack the resources available to larger corporations.

ATIS 2026 will examine how more coordinated policies and practical cooperation can make digital trade easier, more reliable and accessible to businesses across the continent.

Government and Industry to Discuss Practical Solutions

The programme will bring together policymakers, business representatives, financial institutions, technology companies and service providers to discuss the challenges affecting digital commerce.

Key areas of discussion will include taxation, consumer protection, cybersecurity, intellectual property rights, digital payments, customs procedures and logistics.

The organisers also intend to connect participants with institutions working on specific trade-related problems. Discussions involving payment providers, banks, delivery companies and customs authorities are expected to explore how businesses can overcome operational barriers.

The event will also consider the needs of smaller enterprises that use social media and online platforms to find customers, process orders and manage supplier relationships.

Continental Participation and Policy Recommendations

The symposium is expected to feature Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, and Lacina Koné, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of Smart Africa.

Their participation is intended to connect the practical experiences of African businesses with wider continental efforts to improve digital infrastructure, economic integration and access to regional markets.

Organisers have also outlined plans for a memorandum of understanding between African e-commerce associations and a policy paper presenting industry priorities to national governments, regional institutions and the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat.

These proposed outcomes are designed to help carry discussions beyond the two-day event and identify areas where further policy action and cooperation may be needed.

Small Businesses at the Centre of the Digital Economy

Digital commerce can create opportunities for entrepreneurs who operate without traditional shops or extensive physical infrastructure. However, reaching customers in other countries often requires access to dependable payments, affordable delivery services, suitable financing and clear business regulations.

The symposium aims to bring the organisations responsible for these services into a shared discussion, helping businesses explain their needs and explore possible solutions.

Uganda’s hosting of ATIS 2026 also provides an opportunity to bring international participants to Kampala and strengthen professional connections across Africa’s technology, trade and legal sectors.

The event’s broader objective is to support a digital marketplace in which African enterprises can operate across borders more effectively. Its long-term impact will depend on whether the discussions produce practical recommendations, stronger partnerships and measurable improvements in the conditions facing businesses.