African Air Forces Forum 2026

The 5th African Air Forces Forum will be held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, hosted by the Côte d’Ivoire Air Force. The event will bring together African Air Force Chiefs, senior officers, government leaders, international defense partners, and technology providers to discuss the development of air power capabilities across the continent.

For air mobility audiences, the forum includes content on transport fleets, tactical lift, MEDEVAC and CSAR capacity, strategic airlift, aerial refueling, special mission aircraft, and rotary wing aviation. These areas sit within the wider 2026 theme of “Building Interoperable Air Defence and UAV Capabilities for Regional Peace and Resilience.”

When is the Event?

The event is listed for December 1–2, 2026. The supplied agenda includes a VIP dinner, opening ceremony, conference sessions, industry presentations, exhibition tours, networking functions, and one-to-one meetings.

Image Credit: African Air Forces Forum 2025

Themes

The forum will address air force readiness through combat air power, ISR and UAV capability, air mobility, air defense, training, infrastructure, and sustainment. The air mobility section covers transport fleet strength, tactical lift, MEDEVAC, and CSAR capacity.

The procurement areas include tactical transport aircraft, strategic airlift platforms, aerial refueling tankers, special mission aircraft, attack helicopters, utility and transport helicopters, combat search and rescue platforms, and border and coastal surveillance helicopters. Training themes include advanced flight simulators, pilot training aircraft, tactical training systems, and maintenance and engineering training facilities.

What’s On?

The event will feature official addresses, panel discussions, industry insight sessions, exhibition activity, networking receptions, and private meetings. The opening agenda includes the arrival of Chiefs of Air Staff and senior leadership, cultural display, live performance, welcome address by the Chief of Air Staff of Côte d’Ivoire, and networking gala dinner.

The main conference day includes registration and networking, VIP arrivals, the national anthem, safety briefing, welcome address, a forum documentary, goodwill messages from Chiefs of Air Staff, and an opening keynote address. Industry presentations and an exhibition tour are also included.

Air Mobility and Readiness Content

Air mobility is included as one of the main capability areas in the AAF Capability and Spending Index. The program identifies tactical lift, transport aircraft, MEDEVAC, CSAR capacity, sustainment, logistics, basing, spares resilience, and training pipelines as relevant areas for discussion.

The forum also includes procurement coverage for strategic air mobility and rotary wing aviation, including tactical transport aircraft, strategic airlift platforms, aerial refueling tankers, utility and transport helicopters, and special mission aircraft.

UAV, ISR, and Air Defense Sessions

Alongside air mobility, the event will include sessions on UAV and ISR in counterterrorism, internal security, and asymmetric operations. Another session will examine UAV and ISR integration for air surveillance and border security, with discussion on intelligence gathering, surveillance reach, and reconnaissance effectiveness.

The wider defense technology program also covers integrated air defense systems, surface-to-air missile systems, long-range surveillance radars, counter-UAS systems, secure communications, airspace management systems, and digital battlespace platforms.

Networking and Exhibition

The forum includes an International Exhibition, a Networking Gala Dinner, a Cocktail and Canapé Reception, networking coffee breaks, a networking luncheon, and scheduled one-to-one meetings. The Meet The Air Force Chiefs program is designed for exhibitors and sponsors, with structured meetings arranged with attending Chiefs of Air Force.

Speakers

The program includes participation from the Chief of Air Staff of Côte d’Ivoire, Chiefs of Air Staff, VIP speakers, sponsor representatives, moderators, a forum chairman, and a special guest of honor. The event will also include senior officers, commandants, branch chiefs, government leaders, international defense partners, and technology providers.

Previous Highlights

The 2026 forum follows previous discussions on national security, counterterrorism operations, peacekeeping missions, and advanced technologies. This edition will continue those topics while adding focus on operational readiness, air mobility, ISR, UAVs, air defense, training, and sustainment.

Who Will Attend?

The supplied attendee information identifies air forces, aviation authorities, law enforcement, ministries of defense, and ministries of interior. Expected job profiles include Chief of Air Staff, Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Director of Armament and Procurement, Director of Policy and Plans, Director of Training, Director General, Director of Logistics, and Director of Air Operations.

Where is the Event?

Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire
Abidjan
Ivory Coast

To learn more about African Air Forces Forum 2026, to register to attend or exhibit, please click below .