AFRIDEX 2026 is set to bring together a significant international line-up of defence manufacturers, military technology providers, indigenous industry leaders and government stakeholders as African armed forces accelerate investment in land defence modernisation.

Taking place from 26–29 October 2026 at Eko Atlantic, Lagos, Nigeria, The Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) will provide a strategic platform for cooperation, capability development and international defence engagement, convening government decision-makers, senior military leadership, prime contractors and solution providers from across the global defence and security community.

The exhibition comes at a time of increasing focus on scalable defence technologies, battlefield digitisation, ISR integration, tactical mobility, autonomous systems, counter-IED capability development and indigenous defence manufacturing partnerships as military organisations across Africa respond to evolving operational requirements and regional security challenges.

A growing number of international defence companies have already confirmed participation, reflecting rising global interest in Africa’s defence and security sector and the increasing importance of strategic collaboration between international defence manufacturers and regional capability development programmes.

INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS CONFIRMED

Among the major exhibitors confirmed is French military vehicle manufacturer ARQUUS, which specialises in armoured land systems and battlefield mobility solutions. The company is globally recognised for tactical and protected vehicle platforms including the SHERPA, BASTION, VLRA and FORTRESS families used for troop transport, reconnaissance, logistics, command-and-control and special operations missions.

Türkiye’s leading defence electronics company ASELSAN will also showcase advanced battlefield technologies including AESA radar systems, secure military communications, electro-optics, electronic warfare technologies and AI-enabled command-and-control capabilities designed to support integrated land operations and enhanced operational awareness.

Qatar’s Barzan Holdings joins the exhibitor line-up with a focus on military modernisation, ISR technologies, autonomous systems and sovereign defence capability development through strategic international defence partnerships.

Italian defence and security technology company CEIA will present advanced explosive detection, counter-IED, demining and tactical screening systems used by EOD teams, military engineers, border security operators and humanitarian organisations worldwide.

Turkish defence software specialist HAVELSAN will showcase command-and-control systems, military simulation technologies, cyber defence capabilities and digital battlefield integration platforms supporting tactical coordination, operational planning and military training environments for modern land operations.

Bulgarian defence company Jotov & Son will highlight military equipment modernisation, logistics support, artillery systems and sustainment capabilities supporting both NATO-standard and Soviet-origin military platforms.

Swedish defence technology company MilDef will present rugged military computing systems, battlefield electronics, tactical networking infrastructure and secure communications technologies designed for extreme operational environments and deployed land forces.

Advanced survivability and force protection technologies will also feature prominently, with Miilux showcasing ballistic armour steel and protection systems designed for armoured vehicles, tactical platforms, naval systems and protected infrastructure operating in high-threat environments.

Türkiye’s state-owned defence manufacturer MKE will present a broad portfolio of land warfare capabilities including assault rifles, artillery systems, tank ammunition, rockets, grenades, explosives and precision-guided weapons supporting modern combat operations and indigenous defence manufacturing initiatives.

Major Chinese defence manufacturers NORINCO and Poly Technologies are also confirmed to participate, bringing expertise in armoured vehicles, artillery systems, missile technologies, UAVs, integrated battlefield systems and tactical warfare platforms supplied to defence customers globally.

AFRICAN INDUSTRY PARTICIPATION

The exhibition will also provide a strong platform for Africa’s expanding indigenous defence manufacturing sector. Nigerian defence company Proforce Limited will showcase armoured vehicles and tactical mobility platforms supporting military and security forces across the continent, while Rovin Guard will highlight local ammunition manufacturing, drone technologies and integrated defence solutions supporting sovereign capability development.

UAE-based Resource Industries will present ISR systems, unmanned technologies, surveillance capabilities and tactical communications platforms designed to improve battlefield awareness and operational intelligence.

Additional Nigerian participation includes Solyd Nigeria Limited, which specialises in AI-enabled drones, surveillance technologies and integrated tactical security systems for military and homeland security operations, alongside Unicorn Group, which focuses on surveillance systems, tactical operational infrastructure, secure communications and integrated homeland security technologies.

RusselSmith Nigeria Limited will also showcase advanced engineering, additive manufacturing, military logistics and sustainment capabilities supporting local defence production and operational readiness programmes, while RunFlat Tire Systems will present military run-flat tyre technologies designed to improve tactical mobility and vehicle survivability during combat operations.

AFRIDEX 2026 will also feature participation from Türkiye’s SSB, the Presidency of Defence Industries, the organisation responsible for overseeing the country’s indigenous defence programmes, military R&D investments, procurement strategies and defence export growth.

A PLATFORM FOR CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT

The increasing international participation at AFRIDEX reflects the growing strategic importance of Africa’s defence market as governments across the continent continue prioritising military modernisation, border security, counterterrorism capability development and local defence industrial growth.

With defence organisations increasingly seeking scalable, interoperable and mission-adaptable technologies capable of supporting both conventional and asymmetric operations, AFRIDEX 2026 is positioning itself as an important platform for international defence collaboration, capability development, technology showcase opportunities and strategic industry engagement across Africa and beyond.

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