The African Defence Exhibition and Conference (AFRIDEX 2026) recently concluded in Lagos, Nigeria, with the country's Defence Minister, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), urging African nations to reduce their dependence on foreign military equipment and external powers. Musa emphasized the need for the continent to develop indigenous defence capabilities and assert greater influence in global security decisions. This call for self-reliance is part of Nigeria's efforts to promote continental solidarity and collective security.
During the conference, Musa engaged with visiting African Ministers of Defence and Chiefs of Defence Staff, reaffirming Nigeria's commitment to continental solidarity and the development of indigenous defence capabilities. He stressed that defence partnerships should reflect the continent's priorities and respect national sovereignty. Musa also advocated for a common African position on security matters, given the growing geopolitical competition and external interference in the region.
The Defence Minister highlighted the importance of strengthening the African Union Peace and Security Architecture and improving coordination among continental, regional, and national defence institutions. He noted that addressing security challenges across the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, Horn of Africa, and parts of Central and Southern Africa required coordinated cross-border responses. Terrorism, violent extremism, and organised crime were identified as key threats that necessitate a unified approach.
Musa also emphasized the need for integrated governance approaches to tackle the root causes of instability and protect civilians. He advocated for stronger cooperation between ECOWAS member states and the Alliance of Sahel States, as well as diplomatic and peacebuilding initiatives to address protracted conflicts in Sudan and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This comprehensive approach aims to address the complex security challenges facing the continent.
On defence industrialisation, Musa identified Africa's dependence on foreign military equipment, spare parts, and technical support as a major vulnerability. He called for increased local production, technology transfer, and joint maintenance ventures to reduce this dependence. Musa also urged African countries to make the African Standby Force fully operational through sustainable funding, improved responsiveness, and strategic mobility.
The Defence Minister further stressed the need for enhanced maritime surveillance and coordinated naval exercises to protect strategic sea routes in the Gulf of Guinea and the Red Sea. To ensure the implementation of resolutions reached at the meeting, Musa proposed a structured follow-up mechanism among participating defence institutions to coordinate joint training, intelligence sharing, and defence industrial partnerships. This mechanism aims to sustain the momentum generated during the conference.
The meeting concluded with a pledge from participating countries to support Nigeria's efforts to sustain AFRIDEX as a platform for advancing Africa's security sovereignty. The conference congratulated Nigeria on organising the maiden AFRIDEX, and Musa expressed Nigeria's readiness to collaborate with other African countries to build a secure, united, and self-reliant continent.
Key points
- Nigeria's Defence Minister calls for African countries to strengthen indigenous defence production.
- African nations urged to deepen regional security cooperation and assert greater influence in global security decisions.
- AFRIDEX 2026 concludes with a pledge to sustain the exhibition as a platform for advancing Africa's security sovereignty.
