BAMEX 2026 Aims to Rebrand Sahel as Africa’s Defence Powerhouse

The Bamako Expo 2026 (BAMEX’26) is poised to reshape the global perception of the Sahel, positioning the region as a rising center for Africa’s defence industry.

Set for November 9–13 in Mali’s capital, Bamako, the event will convene top-level delegations and defence companies from across all 54 African nations, alongside key international partners. Türkiye is expected to play a leading role, underscoring its expanding footprint in Africa’s security and defence landscape.

Harun Sarac, Chairman of the BAMEX Board and CEO of The Peak Defense, highlighted the growing engagement of Turkish firms, recalling that the inaugural edition attracted participants from around 35 countries and delivered promising outcomes.

For its second edition, organisers are targeting a major scale-up, with plans to double official delegations and triple the number of participating companies. Despite this expansion, the emphasis remains on quality—prioritising advanced, field-proven technologies capable of addressing the Sahel’s evolving security challenges.

More than a traditional exhibition, BAMEX is designed as a strategic platform where decision-makers can directly interact with manufacturers and evaluate practical solutions on the ground. After generating approximately $150 million in trade during its first edition, the 2026 expo is projected to reach up to $500 million.

As a biennial initiative, BAMEX aims to establish itself as a globally recognized defence forum, bridging operational needs with innovative solutions in a rapidly shifting geopolitical environment.

Source: Newstimehub