The 9th edition of the Grand African Nemo maritime exercise kicked off on October 27, 2026, in the Gulf of Guinea and will run until November 6, 2026. Co-organized by Benin and France, this multinational exercise brings together 26 nations, including 19 African navies and 7 partner navies, to combat maritime insecurity and pollution. The exercise features simulations of piracy, illicit trafficking, illegal fishing, maritime rescue, and pollution.
The exercise aims to test the reactivity of participating forces through maritime police interventions, anti-illicit trafficking operations, and maritime rescue missions. A key component of the exercise is the "Special Polmar 2026" phase, which simulates the management of accidental marine pollution by hydrocarbons. This phase involves naval and air assets, beacons, and terrestrial laboratories. A mock trial is also scheduled for November 5 to evaluate the effectiveness of the judicial chain in prosecuting maritime offenses.
The exercise takes place between Ouidah and Sèmè-Podji in Benin, with the goal of strengthening the operational capabilities of naval forces and civilian administrations in the face of threats such as piracy, illegal fishing, and transnational trafficking. Benin's Prefect of the Maritime Region, Rear Admiral Maxime Ahoyo, emphasized that the Gulf of Guinea is a vital space for international trade and the blue economy, requiring rigorous intelligence sharing and increased decision-making reactivity among navies and civilian administrations.
The Grand African Nemo exercise was first held in 2018 in San-Pédro, Côte d'Ivoire. In 2019, it expanded to cover the entire Gulf of Guinea coast with 19 coastal countries and 6 partners. In 2022, 17 coastal countries and 8 partners participated from October 11 to 16. The 2024 edition, held from November 4 to 11, brought together 16 coastal countries, 9 partners, and over 4,000 personnel from concerned administrations.
The French Navy's helicopter carrier, Le Mistral, is expected to arrive in Cotonou from October 22 to 27, 2026, as part of the exercise. This deployment underscores the commitment of France to maritime cooperation and security in the Gulf of Guinea. The exercise demonstrates the importance of international cooperation in addressing maritime security challenges in the region.
The Gulf of Guinea is a critical region for international trade and economic development, with many countries relying heavily on maritime trade. However, the region faces significant maritime security challenges, including piracy, armed robbery, and illicit trafficking. The Grand African Nemo exercise aims to address these challenges by enhancing the capabilities of regional navies and promoting cooperation among participating countries.
The successful completion of the Grand African Nemo 2026 exercise will contribute to improved maritime security and cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea region. The exercise will also provide valuable insights into the effectiveness of current maritime security strategies and identify areas for further improvement. As the exercise concludes on November 6, 2026, participating countries are expected to continue their efforts to enhance maritime security and cooperation in the region.
Key points
- 26 nations participate in the Grand African Nemo 2026 maritime exercise to combat maritime insecurity and pollution.
- The exercise features simulations of piracy, illicit trafficking, and maritime rescue.
- The Gulf of Guinea is a vital space for international trade and the blue economy, requiring enhanced maritime security cooperation.
