Build your next move.
Explore practical approaches to digital marketing, business growth, AI and content monetization.
LEARNING & WORKSHOPS PALAIS DES CONGRÈS · COTONOU, BENIN REPUBLIC06—07 NOVEMBER 2026
LAUNCH.
FROM LOCAL TO GLOBAL.
From your first market to your next opportunity.
Two days to build the skills, visibility and connections to go further.
DIGITAL EXPLORE
CONFERENCETHIRD
EDITION
CONFERENCETHIRD
EDITION
’26
LAUNCH:
FROM LOCAL
TO GLOBAL.
FROM LOCAL
TO GLOBAL.
06—07 NOV
Cotonou, Benin Republic
Cotonou, Benin Republic
1,500+Expected
attendees
attendees
7+Countries
expected
expected
300+Expected
international guests
international guests
02Days to learn
and connect
and connect
2026 audience projections · Final attendance and country representation will be confirmed after the event.
THE COUNTDOWN IS ON
Next stop: Cotonou.
Until November 6 · Cotonou time—Days
—Hours
—Minutes
—Seconds
01 / THE EXPERIENCE
You have the ambition.
Find the people
to build with.
A room full of perspectives.
A shared drive to move forward.
DEC brings Africa’s founders, creatives and digital professionals into the same conversation. Learn from people doing the work. Meet collaborators outside your usual circle. Leave with ideas you can put into practice.
Get to know DECMeet beyond your circle.
Connect with founders, professionals and creatives bringing different experiences to the table.
PEOPLE & COLLABORATIONPut your work out there.
Discover opportunities to pitch, exhibit, share your expertise or partner with the DEC community.
VISIBILITY & OPPORTUNITY02 / THE PROGRAMME
TWO DAYS.
MAKE THEM COUNT.
Go deeper on Friday.
Join the wider conversation on Saturday.
CHOOSE YOUR DAYClick a day to explore its programme ↓
01Get closer to
Get closer to
your next breakthrough.
A focused day of practical learning, startup ideas and conversations that continue beyond the stage.
Reserve your ticketLEARN
Opening keynotes
Ideas and perspectives from international speakers.
BUILD
Hands-on workshops
Digital marketing and business growth.
PITCH
Africa Deal Room
Startup pitches in front of an investor and industry panel.
CONNECT
VIP mixer & networking
Keep the conversation going with fellow attendees.
02A bigger room.
A bigger room.
A wider conversation.
A free public day for founders, creatives and digital professionals to learn, connect and celebrate.
Book an exhibition boothDISCOVER
Public keynotes & panels
Conversations with international speakers.
LEARN
AI & content monetization
Explore tools and ideas for your digital work.
MEET
Open networking
Find your people in the DEC community.
CELEBRATE
Awards & community
Recognize the people moving the ecosystem forward.
Programme overview. Session times to follow.Full conference details
03 / THE VOICES
People with
something to share.
Founders. Creatives. Practitioners.
Meet the voices of DEC 2026.
012026022026032026042026052026062026072026
Dr. Tamitra Clark
Author, Grief and Loss Support Educator and Certified Chaplain
Tilly Lawrence
Life scientist, research nurse and dancer · Founder, Vagal Intelligence™
Ambassador Adeseye Omole
Serial entrepreneur, fractional CTO and CMO, TEDx speaker coach
Isaac Jesumbo
Host of Digital Explore Conference · Digital marketing strategist
David Omole
CEO, Scetru Nigeria · Chairman, SmartComply Nigeria
Ambassador Victor Omobude
President, Nigerian Essence and Endeavors Worldwide · CEO, Budelinks International Services Ltd
Deidra McEachern
Attorney and filmmaker
More 2026 speakers will be announced.Get updates ↗
04 / BEYOND THE CONFERENCE
Two days together.
A community
all year.
Keep learning. Share what you’re building. Stay close to the opportunities and people you meet at DEC.
DEC Insider connects founders, creatives and builders on WhatsApp and Telegram. Free to join.
Join DEC InsiderBUILD WITH DEC
A place for
your organization.
Bring your brand into the conversation through sponsorship, exhibitions or a community partnership.
PARTNERS LISTED FOR DEC 2026
NOBILAAIRPORT HOTEL
What is Digital Explore Conference?
Digital Explore Conference (DEC) brings founders, creatives and digital professionals together to learn, exchange ideas and build relationships. The annual conference is part of a wider pan-African community that connects throughout the year.
When and where is DEC 2026?
DEC 2026 takes place on November 6–7, 2026, in Cotonou, Benin Republic. The venue is the Palais des Congrès in Cotonou.
Is the conference free to attend?
The public conference on Saturday, November 7 is free, with registration. Friday, November 6 is a paid workshop day. A VVIP pass covers both days and additional experiences. See the registration page for current prices and inclusions.
Who should attend?
Founders building a business, creatives growing their work, professionals developing digital skills, and partners supporting Africa’s digital economy. You can explore practical workshops, talks, networking and the Africa Deal Room.
How can my organization get involved?
Organizations can explore sponsorship, exhibition, media partnerships and community training. Visit the partnership page to find the right opportunity and contact the DEC team.
Who are the speakers at DEC 2026?
The 2026 speakers include Dr. Tamitra Clark, Tilly Lawrence, Ambassador Adeseye Omole, Isaac Jesumbo, David Omole and Ambassador Victor Omobude and Deidra McEachern. More speakers will be announced.
How do I register for free?
Fill in the short registration form on the DEC website to reserve your place for the free public conference on Saturday, November 7. You will then be invited to join the DEC WhatsApp channel for reminders and updates.
How do I book a paid pass or an exhibition booth?
Workshop Day tickets (Student 7,500 CFA, Delegate 25,000 CFA, Executive 75,000 CFA), the VVIP pass and exhibition booths (Starter 35,000 CFA, Standard 75,000 CFA, Premium 150,000 CFA) are reserved with a short form on the website, then confirmed with the DEC team on WhatsApp. Gozem is the authorized ticketing partner, so you can also buy tickets on Gozem.
What is the theme of DEC 2026?
The 2026 theme is “Launch: from Local to Global”. It focuses on building the skills, visibility and connections to take your work from your first market to the next opportunity.
SEE YOU
AT DEC.
Bring your ideas.
Find your people.
Take your next step.