AFRIDEX 2026, a new defence exhibition bringing together military leaders, governments and industry to strengthen capability development and international cooperation across Africa
Africa’s defence and security landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by modernisation programmes, regional security challenges, and increasing investment in indigenous capability. Against this backdrop, AFRIDEX 2026 is set to make its debut as one of the continent’s most ambitious defence exhibitions.
Taking place from 26 to 29 October 2026 at Eko Atlantic in Lagos, Nigeria, the Africa International Defence Exhibition will bring together military leaders, government officials, procurement specialists, manufacturers, and technology providers from across the continent and beyond. Designed as a truly pan African platform, AFRIDEX will cover the full spectrum of defence capability across land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains.
Hosted with the support of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and key national defence and security organisations, the event aims to strengthen cooperation, capability development, and industrial collaboration throughout Africa’s growing defence ecosystem. Official delegations from numerous African nations are expected to attend alongside international exhibitors showcasing the latest technologies and operational solutions.
Visitors can expect a comprehensive exhibition, strategic defence and security summit, hosted delegation programme, and a series of live capability demonstrations designed to showcase technologies in realistic operational environments. Organisers have placed a particular emphasis on creating opportunities for meaningful engagement between procurement decision makers and industry, helping to translate conversations into long term partnerships and capability outcomes.
As defence spending and modernisation efforts continue to increase across Africa, AFRIDEX arrives at a pivotal moment for the continent. For manufacturers seeking market opportunities, governments exploring future capability requirements, and military leaders addressing emerging security challenges, AFRIDEX 2026 is positioned to become a significant new addition to the international defence events calendar.
AFRIDEX to spotlight international pavilions
AFRIDEX will place its International Pavilions at the centre of the event, creating a powerful platform for nations to showcase capability, strengthen partnerships, and engage directly with Africa’s evolving defence and security landscape.
This international focus sets AFRIDEX apart from other defence exhibitions on the continent, supporting global organisations entering African markets while providing African nations with a prominent platform to showcase capabilities to the wider defence community.
Taking place from 26 – 29 October 2026 at Eko Atlantic in Lagos, AFRIDEX will bring together governments, military leaders, policymakers, and global industry to address shared security challenges and support long term stability and growth.
Africa is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most strategically important and fastest growing defence markets. Rising security challenges, maritime pressures, and the need to modernise ageing military equipment are driving sustained growth in defence spending, with strong expansion projected over the coming decade. This landscape is underpinned by the need for greater regional and international collaboration.
DICON Comments:
Major General Ibrahim Babatunde Alaya, Director General (DG), Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), noted: “Across Africa’s diverse regions, our security challenges are increasingly transnational, and so too must be our response. Lasting stability cannot be achieved in isolation; it demands sustained collaboration between African nations, strengthened by trusted international partnerships. Platforms such as AFRIDEX underscore a shared commitment to security, interoperability, intelligence exchange, and collective capacity building. By aligning our efforts, we safeguard our borders and secure the conditions for economic growth, innovation, and peace across the continent.”
Defence exhibitions play a critical role in enabling structured engagement between international suppliers and African stakeholders. AFRIDEXis designed to provide protocol led access to high level decision makers, including ministers, service chiefs, and procurement leaders, creating an environment where strategic dialogue translates into tangible programmes and long term partnerships.
The scale of the International Pavilions reflects a significant concentration of global defence capability. Based on the latest data, participating nations account for approximately $1.708 trillion in military expenditure, representing around 65.2% of global defence spending. The International pavilions at AFRIDEXfeature 10 of the world’s top 25 arms exporting countries, responsible for over 75% of global major-arms exports, alongside 12 of the world’s top 40 arms importers, accounting for 38.7% of global imports. Notably, participating countries include the world’s 1st, 2nd, 4th, and 5th largest arms importers.
Several pavilion countries are already central to Africa’s defence supply landscape. Between 2021 and 2025, AFRIDEXparticipating nations accounted for 44.3% of Africa’s major arms imports, with the United States supplying 19%, China 17%, and France 8.3%. The United States alone exported major arms to 17 African states during this period.
