The first International Security Conference on Africa opened in Kigali on Monday, with President Paul Kagame calling for African-led solutions to the continent’s security challenges. He emphasized the need for stronger regional institutions, like the African Union, to take responsibility for peace and stability, warning that relying on external actors has failed to deliver meaningful results.
Held under the theme “Reshaping Africa’s Landscape in a Dynamic, Complex Global Environment,” the two-day forum gathered defense, intelligence, and security actors to tackle pressing security issues and shape a collaborative future.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Kagame said that Africa’s future “cannot be outsourced” and stressed the importance of the continent taking responsibility for its own peace and stability.
He said African security has long been treated as a “burden to be managed by others,” often without adequate regional input or understanding of local context.
“This approach has failed to deliver both for Africa and for the world,” he said.
Kagame described the forum as a “deliberate effort to change both the narrative and the substance” of Africa’s role in global security discussions.
He urged African states to act as credible and capable partners in addressing security issues, warning that neglecting this responsibility “allows others to step in, leading to a loss of credibility and control.”
Kagame called for stronger regional institutions, including the African Union and its Peace and Security Council, to lead on managing the continent’s shared security priorities.
“The key to overcoming security challenges lies in our ability to produce our own solutions,” he said, adding the conference should align political will with technical expertise and national interests with continental priorities.
At least 10 defence companies from across the world attended the the inaugural ISCA exhibition. This includes Otokar and Aselsan. Otokar exhibited their Arma II IFV, as well as a Cobra II armoured vehicle.
Also, participants from 17 countries attended the event.
