African defence leaders gathered in Lagos this week with a clear message: the continent can no longer afford to rely on foreign suppliers for its security needs.

Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, retired Gen. Christopher Musa, used the Africa International Defence Exhibition and Conference (AFRIDEX 2026) to call for a fundamental shift in how African nations equip and protect themselves.

The gathering brought defence ministers and military chiefs from across the continent to confront shared threats.

“Africa must move beyond being a theatre of competing geopolitical interests to becoming an influential actor in shaping global security decisions,” Musa told the assembled delegates .

The minister argued that growing geopolitical competition and external interference have made it imperative for African nations to develop a common position on continental security.

He pointed to the African Union Peace and Security Architecture (AU-PSA) as the framework for addressing the continent’s evolving challenges.

The Cost of Dependence

At the heart of Musa’s address was a stark warning about Africa’s reliance on external military supply chains.

He described the continued dependence on foreign equipment, spare parts and technical support as “a strategic vulnerability” that demands urgent attention .

The solution, he said, lies in local production, technology transfer and indigenous maintenance capabilities.

Musa identified the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) as a potential platform for joint ventures, collaborative research and regional production arrangements with other African defence institutions.

“Africa’s continued dependence on external military equipment, spare parts and technical support constitutes a strategic vulnerability,” he stated .

He also pushed for stronger collaboration among African defence industries to reduce duplication and conserve scarce resources.

The minister called for investment in emerging technologies, including unmanned systems, counter-drone technology and artificial intelligence.

Transnational Threats Demand Collective Action

Musa warned that terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime have become increasingly transnational, making fragmented national responses inadequate.

He identified the Sahel, Lake Chad Basin, Horn of Africa and parts of Central and Southern Africa as regions requiring stronger cooperation.

“Terrorism, violent extremism and organised crime increasingly transcend national boundaries, while fragmented national responses allow threats to migrate across regions,” he said.

The minister called on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to sustain practical security cooperation despite political differences.

He urged neighbouring countries to strengthen intelligence exchange, border coordination and counterterrorism operations.

On maritime security, Musa highlighted the strategic importance of the Gulf of Guinea and the Red Sea.

He called for enhanced maritime domain awareness and coordinated naval exercises to protect trade routes and energy infrastructure.

A Follow-Up Mechanism Proposed

To ensure commitments made at AFRIDEX translate into action, Musa proposed a structured follow-up mechanism involving participating defence institutions.

This body would identify priority areas for intelligence cooperation, joint training and defence industrial partnerships.

He also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to transforming the African Standby Force (ASF) into a fully operational capability with improved readiness and sustainable financing.

“Africa’s security future must ultimately be determined by the collective resolve, capabilities and strategic choices of African nations,” Musa concluded.

Other African defence leaders at the meeting commended Nigeria for hosting the event and pledged to implement key recommendations.