Connecting the Sahel with the Global Defense Industry

What opportunities will BAMEX 2026 provide for exhibitors to engage directly with military leadership, government officials, procurement authorities, and key decision-makers?

This is actually one of the most important aspects of BAMEX.

We do not want exhibitors simply sitting at their stands and waiting for visitors. Our objective is to bring military leadership, government representatives, procurement authorities, security institutions and official delegations together with participating companies.

We want to create direct and meaningful interaction between the people who have requirements and the companies that can provide the right solutions. There is also a very unique opportunity that the delegations and the visitors will have the opportunity to test all the products live in Demo Day.

How will BAMEX 2026 facilitate B2B meetings, strategic partnerships, technology cooperation, and potential business opportunities between international companies and regional stakeholders?

We approach BAMEX as a business platform, not only as an exhibition.

Our team will work to facilitate targeted B2B, B2G, G2G and institutional meetings based on the capabilities of participating companies and the requirements of regional stakeholders. The objective is to bring the right people together rather than simply arranging meetings for the sake of numbers.

We also want the relationships created during BAMEX to continue after the exhibition, whether through procurement, local partnerships, training, technology cooperation, maintenance and support, or longer-term projects.

For us, the real success of BAMEX is what happens after the exhibition.

What level of international participation, including official delegations and defense companies, are you expecting at BAMEX 2026?

We are expecting a strong international presence at BAMEX 2026, both from defense and security companies and from official delegations.

However, our priority is not simply to increase the numbers. We want the right companies and the right delegations in Bamako.

Our focus is on bringing international companies with a genuine interest in the region together with military, government and security stakeholders who have real requirements and decision making authority.

That combination is what makes participation at BAMEX valuable.

Finally, what message would you like to give to international defense and security companies that are currently considering exhibiting or participating at BAMEX 2026?

I have been doing business in Mali and this region for years, and one thing I can say with confidence is that the Sahel cannot be understood from a distance. This is a region where trust, relationships and being present on the ground really matter. You need to meet the people, listen to their requirements and understand how the market actually works.

And this is exactly what we are trying to create with BAMEX.

We are not inviting companies to Bamako simply to rent a stand, display their products for a few days and go home. That is not our vision. We want them to meet the people who matter, understand the real needs of the region, develop relationships and hopefully leave Bamako with opportunities that can turn into long term business and cooperation.

I also believe the Sahel will become an increasingly important market for the global defense and security industry in the coming years. The companies that come here today, understand the region and build the right relationships will naturally be in a much stronger position tomorrow.

So, if Mali, the Sahel or West Africa are part of your future strategy, my invitation is simple: come to BAMEX 2026. Come with an open mind, meet the region for yourself and let us show you what BAMEX and Bamako can offer.

We will be very happy to welcome you here.