The Malian government has called for greater diversity in international partnerships to strengthen its defence sector and build local technological capacity.
The call came as the second edition of the Bamako International Defence and Security Exhibition (BAMEX 2026) opened on Monday, November 9, bringing together defence industry representatives and foreign delegations in the Malian capital.
Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maïga, who presided over the opening ceremony, highlighted the importance of intelligence gathering, anticipating security threats and technological innovation.
He also called for closer cooperation among members of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, as well as greater investment in training and applied research. Held under the theme “Innovation, Intelligence and Responsiveness: Africa Facing New Challenges of Global Security,” the exhibition focuses on defence technology and cooperation.
Organised by Turkish company The Peak Defence, the exhibition runs until November 13. It features three days of displays at the Bamako Exhibition Centre, followed by equipment demonstrations in Tanabougou, in the Koulikoro region, on November 12 and 13.
Participants include representatives from Turkey, Russia, China, Germany and Sudan, alongside African delegations from Burkina Faso and Niger.
