Nigeria is continuing to develop its defence industrial capabilities as it seeks to strengthen local manufacturing, encourage investment and build new partnerships with organisations across Africa and the international defence community.

The country’s growing focus on defence manufacturing reflects a broader ambition to develop an increasingly capable and sustainable industrial base, supported by cooperation between government, industry and international partners.

This direction is gaining greater international visibility as Nigerian defence organisations engage with industry at major exhibitions and forums around the world, presenting capabilities and exploring opportunities for future collaboration.

Developing defence industrial capability
Nigeria has identified defence manufacturing as an important area for long-term industrial development.

The Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON, plays a central role in this landscape, alongside a growing network of private sector organisations and international partners.

Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya, Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), said:

Nigeria’s Defence Manufacturing Future | Major General Babatunde Ibrahim Alaya at AFRIDEX

“The message to investors and international partners attending AFRIDEX is that Nigeria is open for business in the defence and security sector. DICON is inviting stakeholders and investors who are ready to partner with us to bring manufacturing to Nigeria, allowing DICON and its partners to produce locally.”

Continued development of the sector has the potential to create opportunities across manufacturing, engineering, technology, research, maintenance, training and specialist services.

It also opens the door to greater cooperation between Nigerian organisations and established international defence companies seeking to build sustainable relationships within the region.

Investment, knowledge sharing, skills development and industrial collaboration will be important elements in supporting this progress.

Opportunities for African and international cooperation

Nigeria’s ambitions sit within a wider evolution of the defence industry across Africa.

Across the continent, governments and industry are exploring how stronger domestic capabilities can complement established international relationships and support long-term defence and security requirements.

This creates opportunities for cooperation across borders, bringing together African expertise and manufacturing capability with international technology, experience and investment.

Rather than operating in isolation, the development of national defence industries can provide new foundations for partnerships between governments, manufacturers, technology companies, research organisations and investors.

The result could be a more connected African defence industrial landscape with stronger links to the global defence community.

AFRIDEX provides a platform for collaboration

These developments provide an important backdrop to AFRIDEX 2026, taking place from 26 to 29 October at Eko Atlantic in Lagos.

The inaugural Africa International Defence Exhibition will bring together governments, armed forces, defence manufacturers, technology providers, investors and industry leaders from Africa and around the world.

Hosted in Nigeria, AFRIDEX will provide a platform for African organisations to present their capabilities while enabling international companies to develop relationships, understand regional requirements and explore opportunities for cooperation.

General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd), Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, said:

Nigeria’s Defence Industrial Future | General Christopher Musa at AFRIDEX

“AFRIDEX provides DICON with an international platform and an opportunity to showcase what it has to offer. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu recently approved legislation enabling DICON to partner with original equipment manufacturers. AFRIDEX presents a significant opportunity because international companies will attend, allowing us to build on this development and present DICON’s work to the world.”

The exhibition will also create an environment for discussions around investment, technology, industrial development and long-term partnerships.

As Nigeria continues to develop its defence industrial capabilities, AFRIDEX will provide an important meeting point for the African and international defence communities.

From Lagos, the conversation will extend beyond individual markets to a broader question: how can African industry and international partners work together to support the future development of defence capability across the continent?