The Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) opened yesterday at Eko Atlantic in Lagos, bringing together defence leaders, official delegations and international industry representatives to discuss Africa’s security priorities and opportunities for cooperation.
Organised by dmg events in partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), and backed by the federal government of Nigeria and the Ministry of Defence, the event runs until 29 October.
Covering land, maritime, air, space and cyber capabilities, AFRIDEX connects African governments and armed forces with defence manufacturers, technology providers and specialist suppliers. Its exhibition and conference programme focuses on operational readiness, procurement and the development of local defence industries.
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Odiri Umusu, portfolio director for AFRIDEX, said the conference provides a platform for defence leaders and industry to exchange perspectives, build relationships and explore practical opportunities for cooperation.
“Over the next four days, our focus is on connecting security priorities with the capabilities, expertise and industrial partnerships that can help address them,” he said.
For international companies, the conference offers opportunities to understand African defence requirements, engage with government and military decision-makers, and explore partnerships with local manufacturers.
Christopher Gwabin Musa, Nigeria’s minister of Defence, said the conference started as a strategic vision, noting that he is elated to “see that the ideas have come to fruition.”
Highlighting the opportunity for international industry, he added: “Nigeria has the population, has the landmass and has the reach, and Africa has the requirement for this. So anybody who invests in Nigeria is investing wisely.”
Discussions will also examine how technology, expertise and industrial investment can support national capabilities and strengthen regional security.
On his part, Obafemi Hamzat, Lagos State deputy governor, noted that security is the first condition of any economy. According to him, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial centre and one of Africa’s largest cities, depends on it every single day.
He encouraged participants “to use these four days to turn dialogue into partnership and leave African forces better equipped and our economy stronger.”
Similarly, Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, director general of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, described the conference as “more than an exhibition.” For him, it is a strategic platform for translating ambition into action.
The conference, taking place on 27 and 28 October, will examine sovereign security capability, innovation and industrial growth. The wider programme covers security in the Gulf of Guinea, local production, counter-uncrewed aircraft systems, maritime operations and space applications.
The opening day programme is scheduled to conclude with an invitation gala dinner for participating delegations.
Guests at the ceremony included Godswill Akpabio, president of the Senate, representing President Bola Tinubu; Birame Diop, president of the Economic Community of West African States; Bello Muhammed Matawalle, minister of State for Defence; Ibrahim Alaya, director-general of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria; and other dignitaries.
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Feyishola Jaiyesimi is a writer and storyteller. She currently writes for the energy desk at BusinessDay with a focus on renewable energy and environmental issues. She began her journalism career as an agricultural reporter and now covers the energy sector, including oil, gas, electricity, environment, and renewables. She has been selected for professional training by the US Consulate, Lagos. She is a 2025 Dataphyte Biodiversity Reporting Fellow. Feyishola holds a bachelor’s degree in Zoology and Environmental Biology from Ekiti State University.
