What to expect of ShieldAfrica 2019 defense and security exhibition.

Shieldafrica will be held from 21-24 January 2019 in Abidjan, Cote-d’Ivoire. An International Security and Defence exhibition, ShieldAfrica addresses the challenges of the African continent. It offers responses to Security & Defence needs for the development of Africa: securing cities, controlling areas, managing flows and resources, fighting against cross-border terrorism, securing fast-growing urbanization and economic activities, preserving any human potential of the continent.

Côte d'Ivoire's Security Forces performing during ShieldAfrica 2017
(Credit: COGES/ShieldAfrica)

ShieldAfrica is the only international defence exhibition and conference in the West African region demonstrating the latest technology across land, sea and air sectors of defence. It is a unique platform to establish and strengthen relationships with government departments, businesses and armed forces throughout the region.

ShieldAfrica takes place biennially at the country's Police Academy facilities, which is centrally located in Abidjan, the capital of the Côte d'Ivoire. This 5th edition of ShieldAfrica exhibition is managed by a French-Ivorian team. It is held under the patronage of the Minister of the Interior and Security of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire.

Such as 2017, the 2019's edition will consist of two events. On Monday 21st of January, a Plenary Conference dedicated to borders will be held. From Tuesday 22th to Thursday 24th of January, the defense and security exhibition will organised in the Police Academy facilities, also including exhibitor conferences. Such as during previous editions, African security and defence forces will present live demonstrations all along the exhibition through an operational staging.

In 2017, ShieldAfrica brought together 133 exhibitors from 25 different countries, and more than 3,200 professional visitors, including 595 members of African Security Forces and Armed Forces. The next edition will welcome 25 different countries, including South Africa and Bulgaria, which are attending for the first time. Other countries are coming from all continents: United States, Australia, China, Israel, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Belgium, etc. There will be slightly fewer french exhibitors compared to previous edition. The proportion of foreign exhibitors will upto 55%, a 20% rise. More than 130 exhibitors are expected to attend ShieldAfrica 2019.

The ShieldAfrica 5th edition will focus on one specific topic: "Secured and regulated Land, Sea and Air Borders, conditions for the development of Africa".

"Land, sea and air borders are not sealed barriers. They must be dynamic areas of exchange, permitting movement of people and goods. These activities must respect the States’ sovereignty, while implementing controls on goods and people in accordance with applicable laws. Cross-border regulation is a major issue in national and international Security. In Africa, it requires modern, efficient Customs administrations and dynamic regional structures for cooperation between African nations," says the ShieldAfrica website.

More information about ShieldAfrica 2019 here