The East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ), an entity of the Eastern Cape Department of Economic
Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT), will host the Eastern Cape Digital Economy Summit 2026, a high-level strategic event focused on advancing the province’s participation in the digital economy.
The Summit will be held from 07–08 May 2026 at the East London IDZ Conference Centre, under the theme
“Powering the Eastern Cape’s Digital Future.”
The event comes at a critical moment for the province, as digitalisation has become a key economic priority for the Eastern Cape, supporting efforts to modernise industries, attract investment, improve service delivery and create sustainable employment opportunities.
Guided by frameworks like the National Development Plan 2030, South Africa Connect, the Fourth Industrial
Revolution (4IR) Strategy, and provincial growth frontiers, the government prioritises digital transformation.
This is primarily aimed at promoting inclusive economic growth, expanding digital infrastructure and connectivity, fostering innovation and future skills, and integrating South Africa into the global digital economy.
Within the Eastern Cape, digital transformation is being advanced as a practical enabler of industrialisation,
investment attraction and enterprise development, in line with the province’s economic development priorities.
The focus is on ensuring that digitalisation delivers tangible provincial outcomes, including increased investment, stronger industries, improved public and private sector services, and inclusive opportunities for
communities across the province.
The Summit is expected to attract senior leadership from national, provincial, and local governments, including the Premier of the Eastern Cape, the MEC for Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism, the Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, and executive leaders from ELIDZ, along with key stakeholders from the ICT, telecommunications, investment, innovation, and skills development sectors.
A central highlight of the Summit will be the official unveiling of ELIDZ’s Digital Economy Flagship Projects, which collectively position ELIDZ as a future-ready Smart Industrial Zone (Zone 4.0) and a catalyst for digital
infrastructure development, innovation, employment creation and investment attraction wthin the province.
DIGITAL ECONOMY FLAGSHIP PROJECTS TO BE UNVEILED
- Tier III-aligned ELIDZ Data Centre
- ELIDZ Digital Hub (innovation, skills development and SMME support)
- BPO and Shared Services Capability
- Undersea Cable and Broadband Enablement Opportunity
- Cisco Digital Skills and Innovation Programme (EDGE Centre)
EVENT DETAILS
Event: Eastern Cape Digital Economy Summit 2026
Theme: Powering the Eastern Cape’s Digital Future
Dates: 07–08 May 2026
Time: 07h00 – 17h00
Venue: East London IDZ Conference Centre
Members of the media are invited to attend the Summit and will have the opportunity to gain comprehensive
insight into the programme proceedings and the digital economy projects to be unveiled.
Media representatives are kindly requested to confirm attendance in advance to facilitate accreditation and
logistical arrangements.
MEDIA ENQUIRIES
Mr. Siphosethu Tikana
Acting Manager: Marketing & Corporate Communications
East London Industrial Development Zone (ELIDZ)
Email: siphosethuti@elidz.co.za
Mobile: 064 900 8392
Mr. Ncedo Lisani
Head of Communication
Eastern Cape Economic Development, Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEDEAT)
Email: ncedo.lisani@dedea.gov.za
Mobile: 066 485 0501