U.S. Army Hosts Africa Army Summit 2026 in Rome
ROME, Italy – The U.S. Army Task Force Southern Europe, Africa (SETAF-AF) hosted the Africa Army Summit 2026 from March 22-24 in Rome, bringing together military commanders from nearly 40 African nations, along with representatives from partner countries, industry, investors, and academic leaders for two days of discussions on shared security challenges.
New Industry Pavilion Introduced at the Summit
This year’s event, sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff, adopted the theme “Strengthening our shared security through intelligence, innovation, and industry.” A significant addition to the summit was the introduction of a dedicated industrial technology pavilion, giving African defense leaders direct access to small technology firms and investors showcasing innovative dual-use solutions.
Remarks by SETAF-AF Commander Highlight Objectives
“The 2026 Africa Army Summit in Rome represents a pivotal moment as a U.S. military-led initiative designed to link senior African leaders with global industry expertise,” stated Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, SETAF-AF commander. He emphasized that this summit is the first of its kind to focus on dual-use technologies while integrating capital investors and African military forces. “We are moving beyond traditional acquisition models to address the evolving security landscape through collaborative defense and innovation,” he added.
Dynamic Plenary Sessions Drive Discussions
The summit featured four plenary sessions that shaped the discussions. Chidi Bryden led a session on “Defining the African Threat,” while Dr. Daisy Muib focused on “Intelligence-led Operations.” Dr. Nate Allen moderated a session addressing drone technologies and counter-drone strategies, and Mbemba Disolele from the Center for Strategic and International Studies facilitated discussions on industrial infrastructure collaboration.
Engagement Among Commanders and Experts
During the two-day event, army commanders engaged with subject matter experts to explore various threats facing African nations, information-sharing strategies, unmanned systems tactics, and potential for defense industry collaboration on the continent. The open dialogue aimed to foster a deeper understanding of the complexities and opportunities in defense cooperation.
Emphasizing Cooperation for a Secure Future
“Our objective is to create an environment that encourages meaningful interaction between defense leaders, industry innovators, and investors, leading to tangible cooperation and a shared commitment to a more secure future for both the United States and the African continent,” expressed Gainey.
First European Summit Marks a New Chapter
This year’s summit in Rome marked the first time the event was held in Europe. Previous summits have taken place in Africa and the United States, including locations such as Accra, Ghana (2025), Livingstone, Zambia (2024), and Abidjan, Ivory Coast (2023). SETAF-AF, based in Vicenza, Italy, organized the 2026 summit on behalf of the U.S. Army Chief of Staff.
