Lagos, Nigeria, 27 October 2026: General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, Commander of U.S. Africa Command, opened the second day of the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX) 2026 in Lagos on Tuesday, with a keynote on strengthening military cooperation and Africa’s security readiness.

His session, titled “From Strategic Complexity to Operational Cooperation”, examined how armed forces across the continent can respond to a changing global security environment through practical cooperation, improved preparedness and stronger operational capabilities.

Discussions focused on interoperability, resilience against emerging threats, and the role of innovation in strengthening defence capability. Trusted, African-led partnerships were identified as central to achieving lasting security outcomes.

The keynote opened a day of discussions among military leaders, policymakers and industry representatives at Eko Atlantic. The two-day Strategic Conference is being held under the theme “Advancing Africa’s Sovereign Security Capability Through Innovation and Industrial Growth”.

Italy’s Chief of Defence, General Luciano Portolano, delivered a keynote titled “Shared Security, Shared Responsibility”, examining the interconnected threats facing Africa, the Mediterranean and Europe.

The session, moderated by Major General Neil D. Sexton, Director at Quovis Consulting Ltd, focused on military cooperation, operational readiness and long-term partnerships built on shared priorities, mutual trust and sustainable capability development.

Major General John Clark CBE, Commander of the Integrated Global Defence Network at the UK Ministry of Defence, addressed the conference on “From Partnership to Prosperity”.

His session explored how UK–Africa defence and security cooperation could support responsible trade, investment and industrial growth. Discussions examined opportunities to connect African defence requirements with UK technology and expertise, while strengthening local industry and developing skills.

Portolano and Clark also joined Vice Admiral Oumar Wade, Chief of the General Staff of Senegal’s Armed Forces, for a panel titled “Defence Partnerships That Actually Deliver”. Moderated by Sexton, the discussion examined how international cooperation can align with national priorities and produce sustainable security outcomes.

Other sessions addressed Africa’s immediate capability requirements, peacekeeping and multinational maritime cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea. Together, they examined the training, equipment support and partnerships needed to strengthen operational effectiveness.

The discussions built on concerns raised at Monday’s opening ceremony by Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (Rtd), OFR, over the changing nature of security threats.

Musa said

“The threats we encounter are hybrid in nature and fast-evolving across all domains of warfare. We must continue to prepare for the changing character of warfare and develop the requisite capacities to deal with them decisively,” 

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, also stressed the need for cooperation beyond national borders.

“The threats we face are increasingly becoming transnational, and our responses must be too. No single government can meet them alone,” he said at the opening ceremony.

AFRIDEX Portfolio Director, Odiri Umusu, said the conference provided an opportunity to connect defence requirements with practical support and long-term partnerships.

“Understanding capability requirements is only the starting point. The next step is to connect those requirements with the training, support and partnerships that enable armed forces to operate effectively over time.

“Today’s programme provided an opportunity to examine those practical needs, share experience and explore how regional and international cooperation can strengthen readiness.”

Alongside the Strategic Conference, technical sessions covered ground-force readiness, local aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul, cyber defence, and autonomous systems for protecting critical infrastructure.

The Hosted Delegation Programme supported procurement engagement through targeted briefings and curated meetings between government and military representatives and industry partners.

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, AFRIDEX runs until 29 October at Eko Atlantic, Lagos.

The exhibition covers land, maritime, air, space and cyber capabilities. Wednesday’s conference programme will focus on sovereign defence capability, local production and industrial development.