A STATE-GRADE, PROTOCOL-LED DEFENCE AND SECURITY PLATFORM
The Africa International Defence Exhibition is designed to accelerate credible engagement between governments, armed forces and industry through curated meeting schedules, hosted delegations, and programme tracks built for outcomes.
Hosted in Lagos, Nigeria from 26–29 October 2026, with formal host-nation support, the Africa International Defence Exhibition is building towards broad pan-African participation, with delegation confirmations announced in line with protocol. The Africa International Defence Exhibition is structured to help visitors:
· Track capability priorities across multi-domain requirements, including dual-use technology pathways.
· Engage procurement and capability planners through formats designed for confidentiality, security and compliance-aware dialogue.
· Connect across the full supply chain. From innovation and integration to sustainment, logistics and lifecycle support.
· Strengthen readiness via scenario-driven workshops, mission-critical simulations and operator-to-industry exchange, framed around interoperability and standards.
Africa military expenditure in 2024.
Africa military expenditure increase from 2022 to 2023.
Global year-on-year increase (2024), steepest rise since at least 1988.
Projected drone industry jobs by 2030
of large organisations found supply-chain interdependencies as the biggest barrier to cyber resilience
BENEFITS OF VISITING
DISCOVER NEXT-GENERATION CAPABILITY
Explore technologies, systems and services across Land, Naval, Air, Cybersecurity and Space domains, including dual-use solutions relevant to defence and wider security outcomes.
CONNECT THROUGH STRUCTURED ENGAGEMENT
Meet decision-makers, programme leaders and industry partners through curated formats designed to support credible dialogue and cooperation pathways.
EXPAND YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK
Build relationships across the defence and security ecosystem, from Primes and OEMs to SMEs, integrators and non-traditional defence companies.
ENGAGE THE DEFENCE SUMMIT THEMES
Gain insight via the Defence Summit and programme tracks covering capability development, resilience, training-led readiness, interoperability and cooperation frameworks.
UNDERSTAND CAPABILITY REQUIREMENTS AND PROCUREMENT PRIORITIES
Gain clearer insight into capability needs, programme priorities and acquisition-to-sustainment considerations through structured engagement and programme-led discussion.
EXPLORE SUPPLY CHAIN AND LIFECYCLE SUSTAINMENT PATHWAYS
Identify partners across the end-to-end defence and security supply chain, from integration and MRO to spares, training and logistics, supporting resilience and long-term readiness.WHO YOU’LL MEET
The Africa International Defence Exhibition is designed to convene stakeholders across government, armed forces and industry, with participation confirmed and announced in line with protocol.
MINISTERS AND SENIOR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS.
Setting policy direction and enabling cooperation pathways.
INTERNATIONAL MILITARY DELEGATIONS.
Engaging via hosted, protocol-led formats as confirmations are formalised.
DEFENCE AND SECURITY PROCUREMENT TEAMS.
Responsible for acquisition, sustainment and programme delivery.
PRIME CONTRACTORS AND OEMS.
Partnering on platforms, integration, localisation and lifecycle support.
TIER 1, 2 & 3 SUPPLIERS.
Connecting into supplier pathways and resilience-building programmes.
SMES AND SYSTEM INTEGRATORS.
Including dual-use and non-traditional defence providers with relevant technologies.
MAJOR MANUFACTURERS AND SERVICE PROVIDERS.
Spanning production, MRO, logistics and sustainment.
DEFENCE AND SECURITY MEDIA & ANALYSTS.
Covering capability trends, cooperation and industrial development.
Exhibition Features
COUNTRY PAVILIONS
Experience coordinated national capability showcases designed to support visibility, bilateral engagement and structured introductions aligned to cooperation objectives.
DEMONSTRATION PROGRAMME
The Africa International Defence Exhibition intends to feature live demonstrations, and capability showcases that highlight performance, interoperability and readiness outcomes. Specific demonstration elements (Land, Naval or Air activity) are subject to confirmation, safety requirements and host-nation approvals.
DEFENCE CLUB (invitation-only)
A private environment for senior leaders and executives to engage in discreet dialogue and high-level relationship-building under protocol-led participation.
NETWORKING ZONES & MATCHMAKING
Structured spaces and meeting support to help visitors identify relevant partners, programmes and supply chain pathways efficiently.