2025 African Chiefs of Defence Summit: Bold Strategies for a Safer Tomorrow

Globally, the crime of piracy and armed robbery reached 90 reported incidents, a 50% increase compared to the same period in 2024 and the highest number of reported incidents for the same period since 2020, according to the ICC International Maritime Bureau’s  (IMB) “Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships for the Period 1 January – 30 June 2025” report.

The report said further, despite lower incident numbers, the Gulf of Guinea continues to pose significant risks to crew safety and remains a region where continued caution is essential. Additionally, the region recorded 12 incidents and accounted for 87% of all crew kidnappings globally in the first half of 2025. The territorial waters of most Africa states are vulnerable because sovereign control is seldom fully exercised due to inadequate maritime domain awareness and response capacity. The magnitude of the threats will increase unless African governments enhance their security capacity.

Security Sector Reforms and Governance remains a vital element of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA), and is recognized as an essential precondition for good governance, conflict prevention, post-conflict reconstruction and peace-building. Security sector reforms and repurposing of security institutions and agencies is also a critical enabler of the efforts required to Silencing the Guns in Africa, to create the peaceful and secure Africa, envisioned in Aspiration 4 of the Agenda 2063.

Africa is also redoubling its efforts—at the continental, sub-regional, and national levels—to develop the cooperative frameworks needed for maritime security. The African Union, the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) are developing, integrated maritime strategies. At the operational level, the concept of maritime zones allowing groups of states to collaborate in the pursuit of common maritime security interests is a vital innovation in this regard.

A former Minister of External Affairs and Nigeria’s ex-Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Agboola Gambari, has warned that Africa is facing an unprecedented security crisis with no fewer than 1,000 insurgent groups now operating across the continent. In his words: “There are now over 1,000 insurgent groups in Africa, and the number keeps rising. “Regional Economic Communities, which were primarily established to drive economic integration, are now forced to devote much of their attention to terrorism, banditry, and insurgency. Unless urgent and practical measures are taken, Africa risks becoming a permanent war zone”, he said.

Nevertheless, similar worries were voiced by the African Union through its Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye. According to Adeoye, the gravity of the threats via the exponential growth of terrorism in Africa is overwhelming and startling, with over 3,400 terrorists’ attacks recorded on the continent in 2024 alone resulting in over 13,900 fatalities.  He then advocated for African leaders to proffer, “African solutions to African problems that works for all.”

Meanwhile, the first-ever African Chiefs of Defence Summit (ACDS) wrapped up in Abuja after three days of intensive talks, leaving participants with a firm resolve to address the continent’s pressing security issues through closer ties and practical steps.  Hosted in Nigeria’s capital from August 25 to 27, 2025, the event brought together 37 defence chiefs and other key figures to explore ways to counter threats that have long plagued various regions.

The summit delved into critical challenges including terrorism, piracy, cyber warfare, and cross-border crimes. The participants stressed the urgent need for tighter border management to curb terrorism, banditry, and illicit trafficking. They also called for stronger joint operations, intelligence sharing, and counter-radicalization measures to outpace extremist networks.

Why ACDS 2025 is a turning point for Africa’s security strategy

Over the past years, African-led responses to security challenges have grown stronger. For instance, the African Union (AU) has started working on reforming its peace and security architecture. The AU Peace Fund was revitalised and $400m was mobilised for peace operations. As a result, the UN Security Council decided in its Resolution 2719 to finance up to 75% of AU-led peace support operations. This shows clear momentum.

The African Chiefs of Defence Summit is a prestigious gathering of military leaders from across the African continent. According to the organiser, this landmark event brings together the top defence officials from all 54 African nations to discuss critical security challenges, foster cooperation, and develop joint strategies for ensuring peace and stability across Africa. Furthermore, the 2025 summit represents a significant opportunity for strengthening military diplomacy, sharing expertise, and building a unified approach to continental security. Through collaborative dialogue and strategic partnerships, the ACD Summit aims to enhance the capacity of African nations to address both traditional and emerging security threats.

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, said the scale of threats facing the continent demands collective action, shared intelligence, and coordinated strategies. “From the deserts where insurgency festers to the high seas where piracy prowls, from the silent corridors of cybercrime to the ruthless networks of transnational criminals, none of these tragedies respects borders, and neither should our response,” Tinubu stated.

Similarly, the President stressed that the summit should serve as more than a convergence of uniforms and titles, but rather as a convocation of Africa’s guardians. He added: “This is the moment to reassess our military objectives in the collective aspiration to make Africa safe. It is time to forge a new doctrine of continental defence, one rooted in trust, shared intelligence, and coordinated strategy.”

In his remarks, former Prime Minister of the Republic of Guinea, Lansana Kouyate, urged African leaders to pursue collective security, stressing that peace remained the foundation of sustainable development on the continent. Mr Kouyaté said the gathering of defence chiefs from all 54 African countries signalled a historic step in confronting terrorism and insecurity. “For the first time, the Chiefs of Defence of the whole continent are together. This shows how important the subject is. Without peace, there is no development,” he said.

Additionally, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, in his welcome address, called on his counterparts from 52 African countries to commit to building a continent free from fear, stressing that “the battlefield is evolving, and threats are increasingly digital, asymmetric, and invisible.” He added that the summit, themed “Combating Contemporary Threats to Regional Peace and Security in Africa: The Role of Strategic Defence Collaboration”, offers a rare opportunity to forge a unified front and harmonize doctrines.

What Lies Ahead for Africa’s Security Post-Abuja Summit?

In the twenty-first century, complex and dynamic challenges within Africa are often borderless. With the ability to scale exponentially, localized conflicts can quickly destabilize regions. Episodes of maritime piracy in West Africa have thrust the region into the spotlight, shedding light on the adaptability of criminal entities. A retrospective analysis of 2021 reveals a notable 54% reduction in overall piracy and maritime crime, indicating a positive trend from the preceding year. Nonetheless, delving deeper into the intricacies of specific incidents, their modus operandi and the identities of involved groups is imperative. As stakeholders grapple with these challenges, an unambiguous understanding of the region’s maritime vulnerabilities is paramount.

While African navies and their foreign partners are taking advantage of the opportunities that technology provides to improve safety and security. Technology has led to the identification of criminals at sea, their capture and prosecution, making it crucial in enhancing maritime security. As such, the merits of its use for maritime security are undeniable. At the Summit,  discussions further highlighted the importance of investing in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies to strengthen early warning systems and disrupt hostile groups before they strike. Boosting maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea, Indian Ocean, and Mediterranean Sea was also identified as vital to safeguarding Africa’s key trade routes.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) by African Defence Chiefs at the just-concluded Summit in Abuja, Nigeria has secured the hosting rights for the International Defence Exhibition 2026. This is a major milestone of the summit and expert says, this move, participants believe, signals a renewed commitment to advancing regional defence cooperation and showcasing homegrown innovations. Beyond mere showcases, the exhibition incorporates elements designed to spark practical advancements. A dedicated defence summit will convene ministers, military commanders, national security advisors, and policymakers for in-depth dialogues on policy and strategy.

Without doubt, it tallies with the growing consensus that Africa is stronger when it comes together, act with a shared purpose and partner with each other in the right way, to solve shared and common challenges. It also aligns with the notion that fragmentation of counter-terrorism efforts only serves the perpetrators who thrive by sowing divisions, hence the need for a united and urgent response focused on fostering unity of purpose, dialogue, trust and coordinated action. This is beside the well-known fact that the dynamic and transnational nature of terrorism reinforces one truth: a threat to security anywhere is a threat to security everywhere.

General Musa urged participants to translate the summit’s resolutions into concrete actions back home. “Let this gathering be remembered as a turning point for decisive and collective action,” he said. He also acknowledged the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, African leaders, Nigeria’s Minister of Defence, and all contributors who ensured the summit’s success. Besides, General Musa affirmed, “The warmth and partnerships built here reflect the enduring spirit of African unity. These bonds will continue to grow in the years ahead.” The 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Summit stands as a defining moment in continental security cooperation, laying the groundwork for stronger strategic alliances before its next edition.