Advancing Africa’s Sovereign Security Capability Through Innovation and Industrial Growth
The Strategic Conference is the collaboration centrepiece of the Africa International Defence Exhibition, bringing together senior defence and security leaders, policymakers, capability planners and industry decision-makers to shape the future of international security cooperation.
Through ministerial dialogue, high-level panels, bilateral engagements and curated networking sessions, the conference will address capability development, industrial resilience and cross-border collaboration across Land, Maritime, Air, Space and Cyber domains.
Conference & Technical Theatre Theme
Advancing Africa’s Sovereign Security Capability Through Innovation and Industrial Growth
Across the Strategic Conference and Technical Theatres, the programme will examine the capabilities, partnerships, skills and industrial frameworks required to strengthen African defence and security outcomes across modern operational domains.
Strategic Conference
| Day | Date | Plenary Theatre | Technical Theatres | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stream A Land, Cyber & Maritime | Stream B Air, Space & Digital | |||
| Day 0 | 26 October 2026 |
VIPs, Speakers and Delegates Only
Tours for VIPs and Official Delegations
Opening Ceremony
Gala Dinner
|
||
| Day 1 | 27 October 2026 |
Strategic Conference & Exclusive Networking Breaks
VIPs, Speakers and Delegates Only
|
Land Focus Day
|
Air Focus Day
|
| Day 2 | 28 October 2026 |
Strategic Conference & Exclusive Networking Breaks
VIPs, Speakers and Delegates Only
|
Cyber Focused Morning
Maritime Focused Afternoon
|
Space Focused Morning
Digital Focused Afternoon
|
| Day 3 | 29 October 2026 |
Ministers of Defence in Africa Summit (MODIAS)
Invite Only
|
Maritime Focus Day
|
Digital Focus Day
|
WHAT THE STRATEGIC CONFERENCE WILL ADDRESS
CAPABILITY DEVELOPMENT ACROSS DOMAINS
Explore current and future requirements across Land, Maritime, Air, Cyber, Space and Multi-Domain Integration.
INDUSTRIAL RESILIENCE AND SOVEREIGN PRODUCTION
Examine how local manufacturing, technology transfer, supplier development, MRO and lifecycle sustainment can strengthen long-term readiness.
INTERNATIONAL SECURITY COOPERATION
Support trusted dialogue between African stakeholders and global partners through protocol-led engagement, bilateral meetings and cooperation pathways.
INNOVATION, INVESTMENT AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Understand how defence and security investment can support innovation ecosystems, skills development and wider industrial growth.
INTEROPERABILITY AND READINESS
Discuss how shared standards, training pipelines, joint planning and multi-domain doctrine can support coordinated security outcomes.
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
Ministers and senior government officials
Chiefs of defence and service chiefs
Official delegations and policymakers
Capability planners and procurement stakeholders
Defence and security industry leaders
Primes, OEMs, SMEs and system integrators
Technology, cyber, space and dual-use innovators
Think tanks, analysts and strategic partners
SHAPING COOPERATION PATHWAYS
The Strategic Conference is structured to move dialogue towards practical outcomes, from shared understanding and policy alignment to cooperation pathways, MoUs, LoIs, working groups, training partnerships and follow-on procurement discussions.
Participation in closed-door sessions, bilateral engagements and exclusive networking breaks is subject to registration category, protocol requirements and event approval.
