On November 9, 2026, Mali's Prime Minister, General Abdoulaye Maïga, inaugurated the BAMEX 2026 conference at Bamako's Parc des Expositions. The event, themed "Innovation, Intelligence, and Reactivity: Africa Faced with New Global Security Challenges," brought together personalities from various countries to discuss the continent's security issues. Maïga paid tribute to Mali's defense and security forces, the unified force of the Sahel Confédération des États du Sahel (AES), and partners supporting national capacity building.
In his opening speech, Maïga highlighted the complex security threats facing Africa, particularly the Sahel region. These threats include terrorism, violent extremism, transnational crime, trafficking, cyber threats, and disinformation. He emphasized that responses to these threats can no longer be limited to reacting after attacks. Instead, Maïga advocated for an approach based on anticipation, knowledge, coordination, and adaptation to detect threats early and act before they have an impact.
The Prime Minister stressed that innovation, intelligence, and reactivity are three essential pillars of a modern security system. Innovation involves using new technologies, such as artificial intelligence, drones, and satellite imaging. However, Maïga insisted on adapting these tools to local realities and accompanying them with training and capacity building. Intelligence relies on strengthening information collection, verification, and analysis, as well as sharing and coordination between actors.
Maïga also emphasized the importance of cooperation in addressing terrorism, noting that no country can tackle this challenge alone. He highlighted regional cooperation within the AES, through the mutualization of national capacities and the action of the unified force. The Prime Minister advocated for an open strategic autonomy with diversified partnerships based on respect for sovereignty and state choices.
The BAMEX 2026 conference program includes three days of exhibitions at Bamako's Parc des Expositions, followed by two days of practical demonstrations in Tanabougou, Koulikoro region. These activities will enable the presentation and evaluation of various technologies and their operational relevance to security challenges. Maïga invited participants to formulate concrete proposals adapted to African and Sahelian realities.
The Prime Minister concluded by emphasizing that tomorrow's security depends on states' ability to innovate, anticipate, cooperate, and act to protect populations, preserve sovereignty, and strengthen regional stability. The opening ceremony took place in the presence of the Minister Delegate to the Defense and several other government members.
The conference aims to bring together various stakeholders to discuss and address the security challenges facing the African continent. By advocating for a security approach based on innovation, intelligence, and reactivity, Maïga's speech set the tone for the discussions and exchanges that will take place during the conference.
Key points
- Mali's Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga opened the BAMEX 2026 conference, emphasizing the need for African security based on innovation, intelligence, and reactivity.
