Aerospace Zone 9

VISIT THE AFRICA INTERNATIONAL DEFENCE EXHIBITION

Engage with the decision-makers, technologies and structured conversations shaping capability development, supply chain resilience and security cooperation, across Land, Maritime, Air, Cyber and Space domains.

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.
$ 0 bn

Africa military expenditure in 2024.

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Africa military expenditure increase from 2022 to 2023.

+ 0 %

Global year-on-year increase (2024), steepest rise since at least 1988.

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Projected drone industry jobs by 2030

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of large organisations found supply-chain interdependencies as the biggest barrier to cyber resilience

Source: https://adf-magazine.com

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) is proud to support this landmark Defence and Security event in Lagos.

A vital platform for fostering collaboration, promoting innovation, and advancing capacity building across Africa. As the Continent faces evolving security challenges, this gathering offers an opportunity to strengthen strategic partnerships, showcase indigenous capabilities, and drive forward the shared goal of a safer and more secure Africa.


By leveraging our collective expertise and resources, we can build the resilient defence infrastructure needed to safeguard our nations, promote stability, and secure a future of lasting peace and shared prosperity for the African continent.

Major General Ibrahim Babatunde Alaya Director General Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON)

Ibrahimbabatundealaya

Africa is facing a range of security challenges and so bringing an exhibition together like the African International Defence Exhibition, allows companies to demonstrate and showcase their very best capabilities and allows African nations the opportunity to meet the security needs that they desire.

Brigadier Tom Harper UK Defence Advisor to Nigeria UK Government

Brigadier Tom Harper

International terrorism is one of the biggest challenges and it is very important to cooperate, to put our forces together in order to succeed. Therefore, I think this event here (The African International Defence Exhibition) is a very important event and we should combine our forces.

Colonel (GS) Dr. Boris Bovekamp German Defence Attache (Nigeria, Benin, Cameroon Central African Republic) Federal Government of Germany

Colonel (GS) Dr. Boris Bovekamp

The African International Defence Exhibition would be the right avenue for the service chiefs, the chiefs of defence staff and the ministry of defence to collaborate and visit to determine what they can gain from the institutions or the development agencies that would be taking part in the exhibitions.

Because there is a lot that they would be promoting and more especially in the area of cyber warfare where you now have a big challenge for most of the African armies.


This would also be a great avenue for them to visit and understand exactly what they need and what can be provided. And we are to get it with the right institutions to approach.

Commodore Assan Sarr Defence Attaché (The Gambia High Commission Abuja-Nigeria) The Government of The Gambia

Commodore Assan Sarr

Cyber Exhibitors. I believe this is really important for AFRIDEX because the world is currently experiencing hybrid and asymmetric warfare.

Nigeria is relying on digital infrastructure and is becoming heavily reliant if we look at the telephone networks which support mobile banking and finance and underpin the economy.


These networks are susceptible to nation-state attacks or acts of war and it's very important that cyber security firms join AFRIDEX and actually support Africa's agenda in being digitally secure.

Denis Onuoha (CISA ,CISM, MSc, MBA, FBCS) Cyber Innovation Director The Federal Government of Nigeria

DENIS ONUOHA

BENEFITS OF VISITING

Cyber Zone 16

DISCOVER NEXT-GENERATION CAPABILITY

Explore technologies, systems and services across Land, Maritime, Air, Cyber and Space domains, including dual-use solutions relevant to defence and wider security outcomes.
General 2 (1)

CONNECT THROUGH STRUCTURED ENGAGEMENT

Meet decision-makers, programme leaders and industry partners through curated formats designed to support credible dialogue and cooperation pathways.
Informal Networking 2

EXPAND YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK

Build relationships across the defence and security ecosystem, from Primes and OEMs to SMEs, integrators and non-traditional defence companies.
Speaker 6

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.
Informal Meeting 3

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.
Military Meeting In Exhibition 6

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.

Visitor Features

Aerospace Zone 2

COUNTRY PAVILIONS

Experience coordinated national capability showcases designed to support visibility, bilateral engagement and structured introductions aligned to cooperation objectives.
Live Demo Land 3

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, Maritime or Air activity) are subject to confirmation, safety requirements and host-nation approvals.
VIP Catering 3

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.
Meeting Pod 3

NETWORKING ZONES & MATCHMAKING

Structured spaces and meeting support to help visitors identify relevant partners, programmes and supply chain pathways efficiently.
Cyber Zone 15

INNOVATION HUB (AI & Digital / dual use)

A spotlight on emerging technologies, including digital, AI-enabled and cyber-relevant capabilities, connected to real operational requirements and responsible procurement considerations.