General Birame Diop, the new President of the ECOWAS Commission and former Senegalese Minister of the Armed Forces, has been confirmed as a speaker at the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026, taking place from 26 to 29 October at Eko Atlantic, Lagos.
His participation underscores the importance of regional cooperation as African governments strengthen sovereign defence capabilities and respond to increasingly complex security challenges. ECOWAS remains a key institution supporting regional integration, peace, security and stability across West Africa.
General Diop brings more than three decades of military leadership and international security experience. A former Chief of General Staff of the Senegalese Armed Forces, he served as Military Adviser in the United Nations Department of Peace Operations from 2021 to 2024.
Earlier appointments included Deputy Chief and Chief of Air Operations with the United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, followed by service as Chief of Staff of the Senegalese Air Force.
Abbie Butler, Content and Delegations Director at AFRIDEX, welcomed the participation of General Diop, his team and senior regional defence representatives.
“We are honoured to welcome General Birame Diop, his team and defence chiefs from across all ECOWAS Member States to AFRIDEX 2026. Their participation highlights the importance of regional leadership and cooperation in shaping Africa’s future defence and security priorities.”
Butler added that AFRIDEX would enable African leaders, armed forces and the international defence community to understand evolving requirements and develop partnerships supporting capability, readiness and resilience.
AFRIDEX 2026 will bring together government officials, military leaders, procurement stakeholders, capability planners and industry representatives across the land, maritime, air, cyber and space domains.
Its Strategic Conference, scheduled for 27 and 28 October, will address the theme “Advancing Africa’s Sovereign Security Capability Through Innovation and Industrial Growth.” Discussions will examine capability development, operational readiness, resilience, regional security cooperation and sustainable industrial growth.
The event’s ECOWAS leadership programme also features Francess Piagie Alghali, Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, who assumed office on 1 September 2026. Her responsibilities encompass preventive diplomacy, conflict prevention and regional peace and security.
According to the organisers, attending defence leaders and representatives include Fructueux Gbaguidi of Benin; Manuel António Pereira Semedo of Cabo Verde; Lassina Doumbia of Côte d’Ivoire; and The Gambia’s Minister of Defence, Baboucarr Ousmaila Joof.
Also listed are William Agyapong of Ghana; Ibrahima Sory Bangoura of Guinea; Tomás Djassi of Guinea-Bissau; Davidson F. Forleh of Liberia; Olufemi O. Oluyede of Nigeria; Oumar Wade of Senegal; Amara Idara Bangura of Sierra Leone; and Tchakpélé Aklesso of Togo.
Their attendance will place regional security priorities alongside wider discussions between African governments and international suppliers. The exhibition and conference will provide opportunities to engage directly on defence requirements, explore industrial cooperation and discuss the capabilities needed to address emerging threats.
Visitor registration is open to defence and security professionals, industry stakeholders and organisations seeking engagement with African markets. AFRIDEX will offer a dedicated forum for dialogue between decision-makers and industry throughout its four-day programme in Lagos.
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