Mali | Bamako to host major global defense industry firms at the "BAMEX 2026" exhibition, with the participation of around 160 international delegations.

The Malian capital, Bamako, is hosting the second edition of the International Defense and Security Exhibition, **"BAMEX 2026."** The event, which began on Monday, November 9, has drawn significant international participation, including companies specializing in the defense and security industries, as well as military and government delegations from across the globe. It stands as one of the most prominent events in the defense and security sector in West Africa.

The exhibition will continue until November 13. It features approximately 160 delegations, along with institutions and companies from Turkey, China, Germany, the United States, Russia, Sudan, and Azerbaijan, in addition to representatives from several African nations.

Malian Prime Minister General Abdoulaye Maïga presided over the opening ceremony. Accompanied by Malian officials and representatives from the foreign delegations, he toured the exhibition’s various pavilions, where he had the opportunity to view the latest military and security equipment and technologies on display.

**Cutting-Edge Military and Security Technologies**

The exhibition pavilions showcase a wide array of systems and equipment, including drones and counter-drone systems; reconnaissance, surveillance, and electro-optical detection technologies; tactical communication tools; and systems for border surveillance and the protection of critical infrastructure. Also on display are armored vehicles, weapons and ammunition, personal protective equipment, and digital solutions. This edition is held under the theme: "Innovation, Intelligence, and Responsiveness: Africa Facing New Global Security Challenges." This theme highlights the rapid shifts in the nature of security threats, as well as the need to strengthen defense and technological capabilities to address the challenges facing the Sahel region and the African continent.

**Maïga: Modern security requires a transition toward a proactive approach**

In his address at the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister of Mali emphasized that contemporary security threats—including terrorism, violent extremism, cross-border crime, illicit trafficking, cyberattacks, and disinformation campaigns—have become increasingly complex and interconnected. This situation necessitates a shift from traditional, reactive security approaches toward proactive strategies rooted in intelligence, coordination, and rapid decision-making.

He stressed the importance of leveraging modern technologies—such as artificial intelligence, drones, autonomous systems, satellite imagery, and data analytics—while ensuring they are tailored to operational requirements and local realities.

He also called for enhanced information sharing among security institutions, investment in the training of national personnel and applied research, and the development of local capabilities in the fields of technology and the defense industry.

At the regional level, Maïga asserted that combating terrorist threats requires close coordination among the member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) and the pooling of national capabilities within the Alliance’s unified force. Furthermore, he advocated for the expansion of international partnerships, provided that the national sovereignty and sovereign choices of each state are strictly respected. **Field Demonstrations and Military Equipment Testing**

According to the announced schedule, the period from November 9 to 11 will be dedicated to a static exhibition at the Bamako Exhibition Center. On November 12 and 13, activities will shift to the Tanabougou area, in the Koulikoro region, for practical demonstrations and field testing of the systems and equipment on display.

This phase will allow military and official delegations to evaluate the performance of the hardware under conditions that simulate real-world operational environments. They will also have the opportunity to explore the capabilities of unmanned systems, as well as reconnaissance and surveillance technologies, while engaging with manufacturers on technical aspects related to operation, maintenance, and training.

The "BAMEX 2026" exhibition aims to strengthen Bamako’s position as a regional hub for engagement between international defense equipment manufacturers, military institutions, and African governments. The event seeks to open new avenues for cooperation in areas such as equipment procurement and technology transfer.