Vice President Kashim Shettima has issued a clarion call for Africa to prioritise home-grown defence solutions, urging the continent to move beyond being a mere consumer of military technology and instead become a creator and innovator. Speaking at the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Staff Summit in Abuja, Shettima underscored the urgent need for African nations to collaborate in addressing the continent’s evolving security threats, which range from terrorism and insurgency to cybercrime and piracy.
“The nature of warfare has evolved,” Shettima declared. “The threats of today are asymmetric, digital, and often invisible. Our response must not be less dynamic.” He emphasised that Africa must invest in cyber defence, artificial intelligence, and indigenous military innovation to safeguard its future. “We must be creators, innovators, and owners of the tools that secure our tomorrow.”
Shettima’s remarks come at a critical juncture, as Africa grapples with a complex web of security challenges that transcend borders. From the deserts where insurgency persists to the high seas plagued by piracy, and the digital realm where cybercrime thrives, the continent faces threats that demand a unified and coordinated response. “None of these tragedies respects borders, and neither should our response,” he stated, stressing the need for shared intelligence, harmonised doctrines, and interoperable systems.
The Vice President called on African nations to deepen defence cooperation through joint training, research partnerships, and industrial collaboration. He urged the organised private sector to play a pivotal role in advancing defence innovation, framing it as an investment in the survival of nations. “Security is the foundation upon which the pieces of progress must stand,” he said, urging participants to explore avenues for defence industrial cooperation and African-led solutions to African security challenges.
Shettima also highlighted the importance of forging a new doctrine of continental defence, rooted in trust and collective resolve. “We are bound as a family, sharing not just borders, but destiny,” he said. “And in this family, defence is the first expression of love each member can promise the other.”
The summit provided a platform for military leaders to reassess Africa’s military objectives and strengthen continental defence strategies. Shettima’s call for innovation and collaboration signals a shift towards a more self-reliant defence posture, one that leverages Africa’s technological and strategic potential to address its unique security challenges. As the continent moves forward, the emphasis on indigenous solutions and continental cooperation could redefine Africa’s approach to defence and security in the years to come.