The Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle has announced the inaugural African Defence Exhibition, AfriDex 2026, scheduled to hold in Lagos from 26–29 October 2026.
Dr. Matawalle said the event marks a major step toward positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for continental and global defence collaboration
He made this announcement during the Press Conference for the forthcoming International Defence Exhibition in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
According to him, “the maiden edition of the African Defense Exhibition (AfriDex 2026) has been officially unveiled, with the event scheduled to take place in Lagos, Nigeria, from 26 to 29 October 2026.”
Dr. Matawalle said that “the landmark initiative is jointly organised by the Defence Industry Corporation of Nigeria (DICoN) and its strategic partner, DMG, in collaboration with the Ministry of Defence and other critical stakeholders within the nation’s defense and security architecture.
“Conceived as a premier platform for defense, security, and technological innovation, AfriDex 2026 aims to bring together global industry players to exchange ideas, build strategic alliances, and showcase state-of-the-art defense technologies. The exhibition is expected to serve as a melting pot for groundbreaking innovations that will shape the future of security operations across Africa and beyond,: he said.
Dr. Matawalle noted that by highlighting Nigeria’s growing influence in the regional defense sector, AfriDex 2026 underscores the country’s commitment to strengthening indigenous defense capabilities and promoting industrial growth.
According to him, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmad Tinubu GSCFR, is expected to officiate the event, reinforcing the Federal Government’s resolve toward self-reliance, strategic partnerships, and sustainable security development.
Dr. Matawalle stated that the exhibition would host participants from across Africa, Europe, and Asia, including top defense manufacturers, policymakers, security specialists, and technocrats from various sectors.
With its diverse lineup of exhibitors and stakeholders, AfriDex 2026 is poised to become Africa’s leading defense and security expo, fostering collaboration, innovation, and shared solutions to emerging global security challenges.
Speaking at the press briefing, the Director General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), Major General Babatunde Alaya, expressed gratitude to the Minister of State for Defence for approving the hosting of AfriDEX 2026 and for providing sustained support throughout the planning process.
He welcomed stakeholders on behalf of DICON and its international partner, DMG Events of the United Kingdom, noting that the maiden exhibition marks a major milestone for Nigeria and the wider African defense and security landscape.
Major General Alaya emphasised that AfriDEX 2026 aligns with the vision of the DICON Act 2023, which mandates the corporation to operate as a modern defense manufacturing body with expanded responsibilities in regulation, research, development, and international collaboration.
Partnership
He explained that the partnership with DMG Events underscores Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening defense industrialisation, promoting innovation, and positioning the country as a central hub for defense research and technology across the continent.
“The exhibition will bring together a broad spectrum of stakeholders, military leaders, policymakers, defense industries, paramilitary agencies, innovators, academia, diplomats, and research institutions to explore opportunities for investment, capacity development, and technological advancement,” Major General Alaya said.
He noted that the event will feature live demonstrations, strategic dialogue sessions, and technology showcases covering precision engineering, advanced weapons systems, armored platforms, unmanned systems, and other emerging defense technologies.
The Director General stated that “AfriDEX 2026 carries significant economic and geopolitical value, offering prospects for technology transfer, interoperability, and deeper regional cooperation”.
Major General Alaya reaffirmed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Defence Minister, Service Chiefs, security agencies, and international partners for their support.
Major General Alaya also appealed to the media for extensive and accurate coverage, stressing that AfriDEX 2026 is more than an exhibition, it is a bold statement of Nigeria’s determination to innovate, collaborate, manufacture, and lead in shaping the future of Africa’s defense sector.
The President of DMG Events, Christopher Hudson, described AfriDEX 2026 as more than a defense exhibition, but a celebration of Africa’s growing resilience, ingenuity, and determination to shape its own security future.
He said that “hosting the event in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy and a regional leader in defense capability and industrial ambition reflects the country’s strategic importance in the continent’s evolving defense and security architecture”.
Hudson observed that defense investment across Africa has been expanding rapidly, with nations collectively allocating an estimated $52 billion in 2024 and increasing programs across air, land, maritime, cyber, and space domains.
Against this backdrop, he said that “AfriDEX 2026 was conceived as a continental platform to match Africa’s modernisation drive with global expertise”.
According to him, the four-day exhibition is expected to attract 30,000 attendees, more than 500 exhibitors, international speakers, government delegations, and national pavilions representing every major segment of the global defense landscape.
“The event would provide governments and armed forces with access to cutting-edge technologies and potential partners for sovereign capabilities, while offering defense industries the opportunity to engage directly with Africa’s largest procurement leaders,” he said.
Hudson expressed optimism that Nigeria’s leadership of the exhibition would further strengthen its defense industrial base, stimulate research and innovation, and advance localisation and indigenous manufacturing.
He thanked the Minister of State for Defence and the Director General of DICON for their trust and collaboration, reaffirming DMG Events’ commitment to making AfriDEX 2026 a catalyst for industrial growth, strategic dialogue, and global defense cooperation.
Confidence Okwuchi