Africa International Defence Exhibition opens in Lagos

The inaugural Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX 2026) opened on Monday, October 26, at Eko Atlantic in Lagos, Nigeria. The four-day event, running until October 29, is organized by dmg events in partnership with the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) and is supported by the Nigerian Ministry of Defence.

The exhibition brings together military leaders, government officials, defence manufacturers, and technology developers from across Africa and the international community. The program covers land, maritime, air, space, and cyber capabilities, focusing on operational readiness, procurement, and the strengthening of local defence industrial capacities to reduce reliance on imported military equipment.

High-level attendees at the opening ceremony included Senate President Senator Godswill Akpabio, representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle and DICON Director-General Brigadier General Ibrahim Babatunde Alaya. The event serves as a platform for discussing emerging security threats and fostering partnerships to enhance security across the continent.