The 13th Africa Security Symposium (ASEC 2026) concluded in Accra with a strong call for African nations to strengthen the continent’s security architecture through innovation, inclusive partnerships and practical cooperation, reinforcing the importance of African-led solutions to emerging security challenges.

Held from 7–9 July 2026 at the Labadi Beach Hotel under the theme “Strengthening African Security Through Innovation and Inclusion,” the symposium attracted 415 delegates from 29 African countries, together with more than 50 expert speakers, senior government officials, military leaders, law enforcement agencies, international organisations, and defence and security companies from Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Organised in cooperation with the African Union Commission (PAPS), the United Nations, INTERPOL, the U.S. military, and numerous African ministries responsible for defence, interior and policing, ASEC once again demonstrated its position as one of Africa’s premier forums for strategic dialogue on continental security.

Closing the three-day event, Ghana’s Minister for the Interior, Hon. Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, stressed that the success of the symposium would ultimately be measured by the concrete actions taken after delegates returned to their respective countries.

“Africa’s peace and security challenges require African leadership, but they also require trusted partnerships, practical solutions, and sustained cooperation across borders, sectors and institutions,” the Minister said.

Throughout the symposium, delegates addressed many of Africa’s most pressing security priorities, including counterterrorism and violent extremism, border security, transnational organised crime, cyber resilience, climate-related security risks, health security, peace support operations and aviation security.

In his closing remarks, the Minister urged participants to translate discussions into concrete action.

“Let us leave Accra with renewed commitment. Let us continue to build African security frameworks that are responsive, inclusive and future-ready. Let us ensure that innovation serves people, that technology strengthens institutions, and that cooperation leads to tangible improvements in peace, stability and human security.”

Unlike traditional conferences, ASEC has earned a reputation for delivering practical outcomes through structured engagement between governments, industry and international partners. The 2026 edition featured high-level plenary sessions, expert panel discussions, strategic networking events and pre-scheduled one-to-one matchmaking meetings, enabling participants to establish new partnerships and explore business and government cooperation opportunities.

The symposium brought together 415 delegates representing 29 African nations, including ministers, chiefs of defence, senior military officers, police commanders, intelligence agencies, international organisations, investors and defence industry executives, providing a unique platform to exchange expertise and examine innovative technologies capable of addressing the continent’s evolving security challenges.

As Africa continues to confront an increasingly complex security environment, ASEC 2026 reaffirmed the importance of strengthening regional cooperation, accelerating technological innovation and fostering stronger public-private partnerships to build resilient, future-ready security institutions.

Now in its thirteenth edition, the Africa Security Symposium continues to strengthen its position as one of Africa’s leading platforms for public-private dialogue, facilitating collaboration and supporting the development of practical solutions that contribute to long-term peace, stability and sustainable security across the African continent.