DBDC INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE PUBLICATIONS & EVENTS UK LTD

The Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 will place its International Pavilions at the centre of the event, creating a major platform for nations to showcase defence capabilities, strengthen partnerships, and engage directly with Africa’s rapidly evolving security landscape.

Taking place from 26 to 29 October 2026 at Eko Atlantic in Lagos, AFRIDEX will bring together governments, military leaders, policymakers, procurement officials, and international industry stakeholders to address shared security challenges and support long-term stability across the continent.

The event’s international focus is intended to distinguish AFRIDEX from other defence exhibitions in Africa by supporting global companies seeking access to African markets, while also giving African nations a prominent platform to present their own capabilities to the wider defence and security community.

Africa is increasingly viewed as one of the world’s most strategically important defence markets. Growing security threats, maritime challenges, border protection requirements, and the need to modernise ageing military equipment are driving demand for advanced systems and stronger regional cooperation.

Major General Ibrahim Babatunde Alaya, Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, said that Africa’s security challenges are increasingly transnational and require sustained collaboration between African nations and trusted international partners. He noted that platforms such as AFRIDEX support interoperability, intelligence exchange, capacity building, and collective security.

AFRIDEX is designed to provide protocol-led access to senior decision makers, including ministers, service chiefs, procurement leaders, and defence officials. This structure aims to ensure that engagement between international suppliers and African stakeholders can translate into concrete programmes, industrial cooperation, and long-term partnerships.

The International Pavilions will bring together a significant concentration of global defence capability. Participating countries represent a major share of global defence expenditure and include several of the world’s leading arms exporters and importers. Many of these countries already play an important role in Africa’s defence supply landscape.

China Pavilion organiser Loulan Worldwide stated that the African defence market is defined by practical outcomes, industrial cooperation, direct sales, and long-term partnerships. According to the company, AFRIDEX provides structured engagement and direct access to key stakeholders, helping turn dialogue into tangible programmes.

Poland’s participation also reflects Africa’s growing importance as a strategic defence market. Edyta Bobek of MK Business Link said AFRIDEX will help Polish companies explore partnerships, understand regional requirements, and build long-term relationships with government and military stakeholders.

The exhibition will showcase technologies across air, land, maritime, space, and cyber domains, with particular attention to solutions suited to African operational needs, including border security, counter-drone systems, maritime surveillance, and ruggedised equipment.

Odiri Umusu, Director of AFRIDEX, said the event reflects Africa’s growing strategic importance within the global defence landscape and will support meaningful dialogue, cooperation, and resilient defence capability development.

By placing International Pavilions at its core, AFRIDEX 2026 aims to serve as a catalyst for global collaboration, industrial partnerships, and a more secure Africa.