Defence experts at Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX 2026) have proposed a three-pillar solution to end Africa’s dependence on foreign weapons, clear national strategy, technology absorption, and blended financing.
The experts spoke on Wednesday in Lagos at a panel moderated by retired Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Akinjobi, Strategic Adviser to the Minister of Defence.
The panel featured Amb. Emmanuel Fomba, Founder of GCATRED, and Maj.-Gen. Aniedi Edet, Director-General, Joint Doctrine and Warfare Centre, Nigeria.
In his submission, Edet said the solution lied in returning to the founding vision of 1964, when Nigeria established the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) just four years after independence to guarantee sovereignty.
“We are still discussing 61 years later what our founding fathers already solved that sovereignty without industrial capacity is not sustainable,” he said.
He said the first strategy was for each country to define its defence ambition and know what its forces must do before buying equipment.
Edet also recommended that technology must be earned, urging African nations to stop chasing technology transfer, adding that they must build absorption capacity through joint production and learning.
He also recommended that defence funding must go beyond government budget, citing local fusion through the Defence Industries Association of Nigeria (DIAN) and international best-practice partnerships.
He noted that even with full payment, a factory needed two to three years to become operational.
On his part, Amb. Fomba offered the investment solution, saying his organisation, GCATRED, had built a platform that directly connected African governments, defence institutions and vetted global investors with clear requirements, to move from shipments to factories.
“Our solution is responsible procurement, that is buy based on national need, not supplier push.
“Our demand to partners is simple: teach us to fish. We have the raw materials, come and build the infrastructure in Africa,” he said.
Fomba added that Africa must also remove policy restrictions that keep the continent as a dumping ground for obsolete systems.
The moderator, Akinjobi said the panel aligned with President Bola Tinubu’s directive that Nigeria must be able to integrate, operate and sustain its systems locally.
AFRIDEX 2026 has the theme: “Advancing Africa’s Sovereign Security Capability Through Innovation and Industrial Growth”.
It is designed to advance indigenous defence manufacturing, technology transfer, capability development, and strategic partnerships across Africa.
The event features a flagship exhibition, strategic defence and security summit, live capability showcases such as maritime and special forces demonstrations, among others.(NAN)
