ECOWAS has confirmed its attendance at AFRIDEX 2026, bringing the defence and security priorities of all twelve member states directly onto the exhibition floor at Eko Atlantic, Lagos, this October.
By attending, you can meet the twelve organisations that coordinate regional security policy across West Africa, as well as the national defence establishments behind ECOWAS. Nine of the twelve member states are already represented on the AFRIDEX 2026 speaker programme at chief of defence staff or ministerial level.
Secure your delegate pass to join senior-level conversations with ECOWAS nations and other decision-makers across the defence and security ecosystem. Your pass includes access to the Strategic Conference, the Opening Ceremony, Opening Day participation, senior-level networking opportunities with ECOWAS delegations, and more.
Register now to secure your place at the defence event set to reshape the African defence market.
The Twelve ECOWAS Nations Coming to Lagos in October
➤ Benin
Sustained pressure on its northern border has driven a rapid expansion of the armed forces. Requirements centre on border surveillance and ISR, protected tactical mobility, and counter-IED equipment.
➤ Cabo Verde
An Atlantic archipelago policing an exclusive economic zone many times the size of its landmass. Requirements centre on offshore patrol vessels, coastal surveillance radar, and maritime patrol aircraft and unmanned systems.
➤ Côte d'Ivoire
A regional security anchor and home to one of West Africa's principal counter-terrorism training academies. Requirements centre on border ISR, air mobility and rotary lift, and special operations equipment.
➤ The Gambia
A long-running security sector reform programme is rebuilding the armed forces from the ground up—requirements centre on training and capacity building, riverine and coastal patrol, and command and communications systems.
➤ Ghana
One of the world's largest troop contributors to United Nations peacekeeping, now securing its own northern frontier. Requirements centre on protected mobility, border surveillance, and airlift and rotary sustainment.
➤ Guinea
A resource-rich coastal state investing in the forces that protect its mining corridors and territorial waters. Requirements centre on coastal and maritime security, land mobility, and training and base infrastructure.
➤ Guinea-Bissau
A strategically placed coastal state sitting on one of the Atlantic's most exploited trafficking routes. Requirements centre on maritime interdiction, security sector reform and training, and command and communications systems.
➤ Liberia
Armed forces rebuilt from nothing over two decades and now expanding into maritime and disaster response roles. Requirements centre on coast guard capability, training and sustainment, and engineering and logistics.
➤ Nigeria
Host nation and sub-Saharan Africa's largest defence spender, with military expenditure up 55 per cent in 2025. Requirements centre on air power and ISR, counter-insurgency land systems, and local industrial partnership.
➤ Senegal
Newly producing offshore oil and gas has added a substantial maritime protection task to an already busy force. Requirements centre on offshore infrastructure protection, air and maritime surveillance, and land mobility.
➤ Sierra Leone
A rebuilt professional force contributing to regional peace operations while policing heavily fished national waters. Requirements centre on maritime patrol and fisheries protection, professional training, and communications and logistics.
➤ Togo
Under sustained attack in its northern Savanes region while operating one of West Africa's busiest deep-water ports. Requirements centre on border ISR, counter-IED, force protection, and port and maritime security.
