Find out what are African Countries are Investing in?
Senegal Air Force and Ghana Air Force Procurement Requirements
HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS
ABOUT 2023 EDITION
Following the huge success of the first edition, 2nd Africa Air Force Forum returns on the 25 – 26 October 2023 in Dakar – Senegal, hosted by the Senegal Air Force.
The forum serves as a regional platform for advancing air force capabilities that will help build pillars of bilateral partnerships. The gathering will help countries with the opportunities needed to promote stability in their respective sub regions and to shape the development of air forces on the continent more broadly. With the key motive of accelerating air force superiority, the forum will host discussions on the prospects of air power in Africa, impact on internal security operations, importance of air force in counter-terror operations along with the key technology capabilities required to take advantage on every mission.
Join us at the forum, which will bring together Africa’s key Air Force Chiefs and top leadership from the region, industry experts and government officials to discuss challenges faced and the progress made by the air force communities today and for the future.
Why Senegal?
Senegal’s Air Force is currently enhancing their fleet capabilities to support regional counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations. In addition to the transnational conflicts, Senegal will begin oil exploration in 2023 and will require extensive air support to safeguard the new offshore oil and gas assets. Due to this, the Air Force Africa Forum will reveal the Air Forces commitment to regional security through shortlisting of suppliers and providing an essential platform for Africa’s aerospace community to convene to progress coordination.
Brigadier General Papa Souleymane Sarr
Chief of Air Force Staff
Senegal
Welcome Message
Warm Greetings,
It is my honor to announce the inaugural Africa Air Force Forum hosted by the distinguished Senegal Air Force. We are proud to welcome the global aerospace community to this critical meeting of Air Force leadership as well as renowned solution providers. Under the theme “Aviation in low- intensity conflict,” we will address the evolving role air-operations play in counterinsurgency efforts as well as ways to optimize existing resources. It has become essential for the regions forces to cooperatively address methods to enhance the security landscape, hence this forum will provide the platform for Africa’s aerospace and defence stakeholders to convene, integrate and implement plans.
In addition to the high- level discussions and briefings, the Africa Air Force Forum will feature an international exhibition to highlight the latest equipment and solutions available to support the regions forces. Interactive, multi-disciplinary discussions and product demonstrations will further highlight this event as the premier strategic gathering of Air Forces, Aviation Authorities, Land and Naval Forces and key solution providers in Africa.
We sincerely look forward to the honor of welcoming you to this significant event.
Invitation Videos
HEAR WHAT THE EXPERTS HAVE TO SAY
2022 VIP SPEAKERS

MAJOR GENERAL GAMAL SALAH ABO TALEB
Chief of Staff of Western Air Region Egypt

AIR COMMODORE JOSHUA LARTEI MENSAH-LARKAI
Air Force Base Commander Ghana

MAJOR GENERAL MAMADOU FAMMA TOURE
Air Base commander Ivory Coast

MAJOR GENERAL JOHN OMENDA
Commander of the Air Force Kenya

COLONEL MOHAMED SÉKOU SYLLA
Mali

BRIGADIER GENERAL HAMADY MOHAMED ELY MAOULOUD
Chief of Air Force Staff Mauritania

COLONEL MOCTAR DIALLO IBRAHIM
Deputy Chief of Air Staff Niger

AIR VICE MARSHAL FRANCIS EDOSA
Director of Air Force Training Nigeria

COLONEL GODFREY GASANA
Deputy Air Force Chief of Staff Rwanda

LIEUTENANT GENERAL WISEMAN S MBAMBO
Chief of Air Force South Africa

LIEUTENANT GENERAL ALTAHER MOHAMED ALAWAD
Chief of Air Force Sudan

MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMED HAJJEM
Commander Air Transport Base Tanzania

MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMED HAJJEM
Chief of Air Staff Togo

MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMED HAJJEM
Chief of Air Staff Tunisia

BRIGADIER GENERAL JULIUS BAGONZA
Director Personnel and Administration Uganda

LIEUTENANT GENERAL COLIN BARRY
Commander of the Air Force Zambia

AIR MARSHAL ELSON MOYO
Commander Air Force Zimbabwe

MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH MAMADOU DIOP
Chairman Air Senegal

BRIGADIER MAJOR VINCENT DANG
Special Military Advisor – Ministry of Defense Brazil

LIEUTENANT GENERAL FRÉDÉRIC PARISOT
Commander of Northern Air Force China

LIEUTENANT GENERAL FRÉDÉRIC PARISOT
Vice Chief Air and Space Force France

LIEUTENANT GENERAL JOSE LUIS PARDO
Chief of Logistics Support Command Air and Space Force Spain

GENERAL JAMES B. HECKER
Commander U.S. Air Forces Africa

BRIGADIER GENERAL IDRISS AMINE AHMED
Chief of Air Staff Chad

BRIGADIER GENERAL JEAN-CALVIN MOMHA
Chief of Air Staff Cameroon

MAJOR GENERAL HENDRIC THUTHU RAKGANTSWANA
Commander of the Air Force Botswana

COLONEL HERMANN WILLIAM AVOCANH
Commander of the Air Force Benin
GUEST SPEAKERS

ALAIN CHARTON
Thales

LIEUTENANT COLONEL BABACAR THIAM
Senegal

FABRÍCIO DE BRANCO RIBEIRO
Embraer Services & Support

ISMAEL RHISSA
ZAKARY

PROFESSOR KULA
ISHMAEL THELETSANE
Stellenbosch University

ŞEVKET ÜNAL
HAVELSAN

TOMMASO ARIANNA
Leonardo Aircraft Division

ALBERTO BAVA
Leonardo Electronics Division

SENIOR COLONEL YANGYUJIE
People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF)

PHILLIP J. HEYL
The Heyl Group

COLONEL ERIC PARIZOT
France

ROMY HAWATT
Airways Aviation – ESMA Group

CAPTAIN MAURO CALVANO
ESMA Europe

COLONEL JEAN SYLVESTRE BIAGUI
Senegal

COL (RETD.) BABACAR DIOUF

M.XU WULIN
Euro-African Department – Norinco

VICTOR GUO
Department of Africa and Europe – Poly Technologies

JAN HENDRIK SCOTT
Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA)

JANE WANG
Diamond Aircraft

LUDOVIC D’HOORE
UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa
Organizing Committee

Colonel Armand Kouedou

Captain Cheikh Oumar Mballo

Captain Papa Ibrahima Thiaw

Captain Mbaye Thioub

Captain Ousseynou Ndione
Advisory Board

Colonel Papa Aliou Cisse

Colonel Alimbaye Guillaume Apollinaire Manga

Lieutenant Colonel Babacar Thiam

Major Aristide Dieng
Key Forum Elements

2-day International Conference
A high-level international forum that addresses all pressing challenges in the sector through keynote speeches, technical presentations, panel discussions and more

2-day International Exhibition
Showcasing the latest materials, equipment and most advanced systems and technologies in the sector

Product Demos
Live interactive demonstrations in the exhibition area showcasing the latest systems and technologies related to the aerospace and defence sector

Media & Live Broadcast Area
To coordinate media interviews between international, regional and local channels, VIPs, speakers, sponsors and attendees at the event

VIP Pre-event Dinner
High-level pre-event meeting dedicated for Air Force and Aviation leadership and their delegations to discuss strategic plans
Key topics to be discussed
1
Air operations for counterterrorism and counterinsurgency
2
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities
3
Maintenance, repair, and overhaul for regional Air Forces
4
Training and retention of personnel
2022 EVENT IN NUMBERS

26
VIP Speakers

23
Industry Speakers

5
International Air Forces

389+
Attendees

20
Presentations

23
Media Partners

8
Panel Discussions

36
Sponsors and Exhibitors
Attendee Profile
Air Forces
Aviation Authorities
Law Enforcement
Ministries of Defense
Ministries of Interior
Defence & Security Contractors
2023 PARTNER
Silver Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Strategic Partner
Sponsorship
The sponsorship opportunities available at Africa Air Force Forum will increase your company and brand exposure in front of many key players in the government and military industry attending across Africa and surrounding regions. For more details about the sponsorship opportunities available, Click here
Why Exhibit
Africa Air Force Forum will attract a regional air force leadership alongside key representatives from governments and air forces. Strong representation across African countries makes Africa Air Force Forum the prime platform to position your company to be one of the top leaders in providing defence technologies and solutions. For more information about the exhibition and to reserve your space at the Africa Air Force Forum email partnerships@gmevents.ae
Top reasons to attend
IDENTIFY the key requirements of Africa’s Air Forces to support evolving operations
DEVELOP PLANS to upskill and retain the future generation of Air Force personnel
ENHANCE the full value chain of Africa’s defence and security aviation sector, to develop key solutions to transnational threats.
DISPLAY COMMITMENT to the coordination and growth of regional aerospace and defence capabilities
WHO SHOULD SPONSOR ?
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
TIME | CONFERENCE PROGRAM DAY 1 |
---|---|
9.00 | OFFICIAL OPENING CEREMONY
|
10.00 | OPENING KEYNOTE SPEECH | ROLE OF AIR FORCE IN BRIDGING REGIONAL STABILITY AND PEACE
MAJOR GENERAL JOSEPH MAMADOU DIOP, Chairman – Air Senegal |
10.20 | OPENING PANEL DISCUSSION | LEADERSHIP AND COOPERATION IN ACTION: LEVERAGING ALLIES AND PARTNERS TO SUSTAIN FOUNDATIONAL READINESS
Moderator:
Panelists:
|
11.10 | PRESENTATION | THE GROWING PRESENCE OF INTERNATIONAL AIR FORCE IN AFRICA – A ROLE BEYOND COUNTERTERRORISM AND COUNTERINSURGENCY
GENERAL JAMES B. HECKER, Commander – U.S. Air Forces Africa |
11.30 | NETWORKING BREAK |
12.00 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | THE IMPORTANCE OF AN EFFICIENT AIR DEFENCE CHAIN TO DEFEAT AIR THREATS
ALAIN CHARTON, Business Development – Thales |
12.15 | PANEL DISCUSSION | THE AIR FORCE MODERNIZATION IMPERATIVE – SETTING CLEAR PRIORITIES AND A FOCUSED STRATEGY
Moderator:
Panelists:
|
13.05 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS This session will highlight the latest technologies in air force security. The session consists of three, 10-minutes presentations from experts in the industry who will provide insights and case studies on the successful application of innovative solutions.
|
13.35 | NETWORKING LUNCHEON |
14.40 | PANEL DISCUSSION | THE AFRICAN AIR FORCES AND CHALLENGES FACED IN THE FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM – PROGRAMS AND INITATIVES TO SECURE THE CONTINENT
Moderator: Panelists:
|
15.30 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | Reserved for NORINCO M.XU WULIN, Deputy Director General, Euro-African Department – NORINCO |
15.45 | PRESENTATION | USE OF UAVS AND DRONES FOR AIR FORCES – OPPORTUNITIES OR THREAT?
MAJOR GENERAL MOHAMED HAJJEM, Chief of Air Staff – Tunisia |
16.05 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | DRONE DEVELOPMENT, BATTLEFIELD APPLICATION AND ENLIGHTENMENT TO ANTI-TERRORISM VICTOR GUO, Deputy Director, Department of Africa and Europe – Poly Technologies |
16.20 | PANEL DISCUSSION | BUILDING THE MODERN WARFARE BY MASTERING ISR COMMAND AND CONTROL: THE MULTIDOMAIN FORCE
Moderator:
Panelists:
|
17.00 | PRESENTATION | ETHICS OF EMERGING MILITARY TECHNOLOGY’
PROFESSOR KULA ISHMAEL THELETSANE, The South African Military Academy, Faculty of Military Science – Stellenbosch University |
17.20 | CLOSING REMARKS AND END OF DAY 1 |
19.00 | NETWORKING COCKTAIL |
TIME | CONFERENCE PROGRAM DAY 2 |
---|---|
9:00 | OPENING KEYNOTE SPEECH | IDENTIFYING THE CONFLICT LANDSCAPE TO DEFEND AGAINST ASYMMETRIC AND HYBRID THREATS
LIEUTENANT GENERAL ALTAHER MOHAMED ALAWAD, Chief of Air Force – Sudan |
9.20 | OPENING PANEL DISCUSSION | FUTURE AIR FORCE AND THE EVER-INCREASING TECHNOLOGY PRIORITIES FOR BUILDING THE BEST CAPABILITIES
Moderator:
Panelists:
|
09.50 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS This session will highlight the latest technologies in air force security. The session consists of three, 10-minutes presentations from experts in the industry who will provide insights and case studies on the successful application of innovative solutions.
|
10.20 | PANEL DISCUSSION | NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR UNIFIED ANTI-TERRORISM PROGRAM – DETER, DETECT AND MITIGATE CRIMINAL AND TERRORIST ACTIVITIES
Moderator:
Panelists:
|
11.00 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | REVIEW OF STUDY CASES OF AIR POWER ON LOW INTENSITY CONFLICT AND LESSONS LEARNED – CLEAR, CORRECT, CONCISE SOLUTIONS ADDRESSING NEW THREATS FOR AIR FORCES
|
11.15 | NETWORKING BREAK |
11.45 | CASE STUDY | AIR OPERATIONS IN LOW INTENSITY CONFLICTS, A-29 AND ITS EMPLOYMENT IN BRAZILIAN AIR FORCE BRIGADIER MAJOR VINCENT DANG, Special Military Advisor – Ministry of Defence – Brazil |
12.10 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | Reserved for ORTHO INTERNATIONAL
TOPIC | LEONARDO AIRCRAFT – COMPANY OVERVIEW & PROPRIETARY PRODUCTS TOMMASO ARIANNA, Vice President Western Africa & South Africa Marketing & Sales – Leonardo Aircraft Division TOPIC | BORDER CONTROL & MARITIME SURVEILLANCE, MANNED AND UNMANNED PLATFORMS ALBERTO BAVA, Vice President Marketing Africa – Leonardo Electronics Division TOPIC | DIAMOND AIRCRAFT – COMPANY OVERVIEW |
12.40 | PRESENTATION | UNODC SUPPORT TO WEST AFRICAN COUNTRIES IN IMPLEMENTING THE UN GLOBAL COUNTER TERRORISM STRATEGY
LUDOVIC D’HOORE, Regional Coordinator Terrorism Prevention Terrorism Prevention Branch – UNODC Regional Office for West and Central Africa |
13.00 | NETWORKING LUNCHEON |
14.00 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | AFRICAN MILITARY PILOT TRAINING PROGRAM – AB INITIO TO QUALIFIED & LICENSED EASA MEIR ATPL
|
14.20 | PANEL DISCUSSION | STRENGTHENING THE C4ISR CAPABILITIES OF AIR FORCES IN AFRICA – IMPLEMENTATION, INTEGRATION AND INTEROPERABILITY
Moderator: Panelists:
|
15.10 | INDUSTRY INSIGHTS | Reserved for TFASA This session will highlight the latest technologies in air force security. The session consists of 15-minutes presentations from expert in the industry who will provide insights and case studies on the successful application of innovative solutions.JAN HENDRIK SCOTT, Head of Test Pilot School – Test Flying Academy of South Africa (TFASA) |
15.30 | PANEL DISCUSSION | BRIDGING THE GAPS WITH NEW CAPABILITIES FOR AFRICA AIR FORCE FLEET MAINTENANCE, REPAIR AND OVERHAUL (MRO)
Moderator:
Panelists:
|
16.10 | PRESENTATION | AIR LEADERSHIP FOR AFRICA – CURRENT STAND AND THE FUTURE OUTLOOK
|
16.30 | OFFICIAL SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS – AFRICA AIR FORCE FORUM 2022 |
16.40 | CLOSING CEREMONY |
17.00 | NETWORKING LUNCH AND END OF FORUM |
18.00 | NETWORKING COCKTAIL |
Conference Format





SPONSORS & PARTNERS
Strategic Banking Partner
Supporting Partner
Supporting Sponsor
Supporting Partner
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITY
We have a diverse range of sponsorship opportunities available. A member of the sponsorship team will work with you to create a bespoke package to suit your business objectives. For more information email partnerships@gmevents.ae or call +971 4 568 7800
REGISTER TO ATTEND
Paid delegate passes can only be secured after the payment is processed via a credit card. Please note that only completing the registration form will not secure a delegate pass for this event. If you do not have access to a credit card and wish to register through other payment methods, or wish for a member of our team to contact you and answer your questions before completing your registration process, please send us an email at partnerships@gmevents.ae with your details and the name of the event and we will contact you as soon as received.
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