As digital content creation, gaming, and AI-generated workloads continue to surge across Africa and the wider MEA region, the demand for faster, higher-capacity, and more reliable storage has never been greater.Sandisk returns to Gitex Africa 2026 (April 7–9, Marrakech) with its most ambitious showcase yet: the launch of the Sandisk Optimus SSD product brand in Africa, alongside a new three-tier portable SSD portfolio. This year, the Sandisk stand at Gitex Africa features dedicated zones covering five key categories: Sandisk Optimus internal SSDs, Portable SSDs, Creator Series, Gaming, and Mobility.

As Africa’s market for software development, gaming, and digital content creation continues to grow rapidly, the infrastructure supporting this growth must evolve. Sandisk, a global flash and advanced memory technology innovator, returns to Gitex Africa 2026 to launch a product portfolio specifically curated for the continent’s unique digital trajectory.

“At Gitex Africa, we aren’t just talking about regional trends; we are talking about the specific ambitions of African users,” said Ghassan Azzi, sales director, Africa, Sandisk. “The launch of the Sandisk Optimus product brand in Africa brings together the very best of our internal SSD heritage under a single, performance-driven identity. Alongside this, we are proud to introduce our latest generation portable SSD portfolio in Africa, designed for everyone from everyday users to the most demanding creative professionals.”

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The cornerstone of Sandisk’s presence at Gitex this year is the regional debut of the Sandisk Optimus SSD product brand – the new unified brand for Sandisk’s internal SSD portfolio, formerly known as WD_BLACK and WD Blue SSDs. Announced earlier this year at CES 2026 and now showcased for the first time in Africa, the Sandisk Optimus product range is structured into three clear performance tiers, making it easier for gamers, creators, and professionals to find the right drive:

• Sandisk Optimus product line – Designed as a benchmark performance hero, built for content creators who demand faster, smoother computing. These drives deliver the right balance of speed and affordability. Previously branded as WD Blue, including the WD Blue SN5100 NVMe SSD
• Sandisk Optimus GX product line – Gaming without limits, designed for players who want lightning-fast load times, expanded capacity, and power efficiency. Previously branded as WD_BLACK, including the WD_BLACK SN7100 NVMe SSD
• Sandisk Optimus GX PRO product line – The flagship of the Sandisk Optimus brand portfolio, the Sandisk Optimus GX PRO SSD represents the pinnacle of performance. These drives are designed for developers, professionals and gamers in the pursuit of the latest technological breakthrough and uncompromising performance who are looking to build AI PCs, workstations, or high-end PCs. Sandisk Optimus GX PRO SSD combines cutting-edge storage technologies with increased capacity. Previously branded as WD_BLACK, including the WD_BLACK SN8100 NVMe SSD

In addition to the Sandisk Optimus brand launch in Africa, Sandisk is also introducing to the region a new three-tier Portable SSD portfolio – announced in February 2026 and the pocket-sized drives are designed to support larger file sizes, AI-generated content, and the increasingly demanding digital workflows of users at every level:

• Sandisk Portable SSD – Reliable everyday storage for students, office workers, and family archivists. Read speeds up to 1,000 MB/s², drop protection up to 2 meters³. Will be available in the second half of 2026 in 1TB and 2TB¹
• Sandisk Extreme Portable SSD – Built for creative enthusiasts, photographers, and videographers working with large files. Delivers read speeds up to 2,000 MB/s² – transferring up to 1,000 high-resolution photos in under 60 seconds⁴ IP65-rated³, 3-meter drop protection, and 256-bit AES encryption. Available in 1TB–4TB¹
• Sandisk Extreme PRO Portable SSD – The professional-grade drive for filmmakers, designers, and production teams. Transfer speeds up to 4,000 MB/s², moving up to 10 minutes of 12K video in just under a minute⁵. IP65-rated³, 3-meter drop protection, and 256-bit AES encryption. Will be available in the second half of 2026 in 2TB–8TB¹

Rounding out Sandisk’s presence at Gitex Africa 2026 is a dedicated Creator Series zone, featuring the professional-grade Sandisk Creator Series collection – a curated lineup of vibrant products built for every step of the creative process, from capture to delivery. On display will include the Sandisk Creator Phone SSD with MagSafe compatibility, the Sandisk Creator Phone Drive for multi-device workflows, and the Sandisk Creator microSD and UHS-II SD cards, among others.

Gaming enthusiasts will also have plenty to explore at the dedicated Gaming corner, where visitors can experience Sandisk’s latest licensed products as well as the Sandisk Optimus GX lineup in action – putting gaming performance at the heart of the Sandisk experience on the show floor.

And finally, Sandisk’s Mobility range will showcase the latest USB drives and memory cards, offering high-speed, high-capacity solutions for everyday users and mobile professionals across Africa.

Attendees and delegates can discover the full Sandisk 2026 lineup by visiting the Sandisk stand at Gitex Africa 2026 in Marrakech, Morocco, from April 7 to 9, 2026.

¹ 1GB = 1,000,000,000 bytes. 1TB = 1,000,000,000,000 bytes. Actual user storage less
² Based on internal testing; performance may be lower depending on host device, interface, usage conditions, and other factors. 1 MB/s = 1,000,000 bytes per second
³ Based on internal testing. IEC 60529 IP65: Tested to withstand water flow (30 kPa) at 3 min.; limited dust contact does not interfere with operation. Must be clean and dry before use
⁴ Based on internal testing with an average PNG file size of 30.4MB
⁵ Based on internal testing on 12K (12288 x 6480) video at 23.98 fps with an average BRAW file size of 84.30GB

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