--- eventsindex_id: "EI-00195" slug: african-air-forces-forum title: "African Air Forces Forum (AAF)" title_alt: ["AAF", "African Airforces Forum", "5th African Air Forces Forum"] canonical_url: "https://eventsindex.org/events/african-air-forces-forum.html" next_edition_year: 2026 date_start: "2026-12-01" date_end: "2026-12-02" venue: "Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire" city: "Abidjan" country: "Ivory Coast" organiser: "Great Minds Event Management (GM Events) in partnership with the Côte d'Ivoire Air Force" organiser_url: "https://www.gmevents.ae/" b2b: true vector: sector: [defence] audience: [military, government, industry, procurement, policy] format: [conference, summit, exhibition] purpose: [networking, procurement, policy, business] geography_scope: [regional] season: winter meta_description: "African Air Forces Forum (AAF), 1-2 Dec 2026, Abidjan. Forum for African Air Force Chiefs: 500+ delegates, 40+ countries, 60+ industry providers." editorial_take: "The only forum on the continent where multiple African Chiefs of Air Staff gather in the same room and are formally scheduled to meet defence industry exhibitors one-to-one, making it the de-facto procurement gateway for African air power." generated_by: "claude-max-cowork" last_verified: "2026-06-10" variables_filled: 40/58 language: "en" schema_version: "v6.0" --- # African Air Forces Forum (AAF) > *The African Air Forces Forum (AAF) is an annual high-level conference and exhibition bringing together Air Force Chiefs, senior air power commanders, and defence technology providers from across Africa and the international defence community. The 5th edition is held on 1–2 December 2026 at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, hosted by the Côte d'Ivoire Air Force. Its defining feature is structured one-to-one meetings between industry exhibitors and attending Chiefs of Air Staff – access unavailable at any comparable African event.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | **1–2 December 2026** | **Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire** | **GM Events / Côte d'Ivoire Air Force** | **500+ delegates expected** | | 2 days (+ VIP dinner 30 Nov); annual | Abidjan, Ivory Coast | Commercial event management + military host | 40+ countries, 60+ industry providers | --- ## Definition The African Air Forces Forum (AAF) is an annual defence conference and exhibition focused exclusively on African air power. Organised commercially by Great Minds Event Management (Dubai) in partnership with a host African air force, the forum rotates country each year. The 5th edition – hosted by the Côte d'Ivoire Air Force – is scheduled for 1–2 December 2026 at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire, Abidjan. The event brings together African Chiefs of Air Staff, Ministers of Defence, senior military officers, and global aerospace and defence technology providers for two days of conference sessions, an exhibition, product demonstrations, and structured private meetings. Previous editions were held in Senegal (inaugural), Nigeria (Lagos), and further African capitals. ## History and growth AAF was launched to fill a gap in the African defence events calendar: while large exhibitions such as AAD in South Africa provided exhibition space, no dedicated forum existed to convene African air force leadership for sustained strategic dialogue. Starting with 400 delegates and 28 countries at its 2022/2023 inaugural edition, the forum grew to 500 delegates and 40 countries at its 2025 edition. The rotating host model – each year a different African air force holds the event in its home country – has helped build buy-in from across the continent, with Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, and the United States also sending representatives alongside African nations. The UAE-based commercial organiser GM Events manages logistics, sponsorship, and the international industry programme. ## The 2026 edition: interoperable air defence and UAVs The 5th AAF is themed "Building Interoperable Air Defence and UAV Capabilities for Regional Peace and Resilience." Organisers project 40+ Air Force VIPs, 40+ speakers, 500+ delegates, 40+ countries, and 60+ global defence technology providers. A pre-event VIP Gala Dinner on the evening of 30 November 2026 opens the programme exclusively for Chiefs of Air Staff and senior officers. Conference sessions run over two full days (1–2 December) covering national security, counter-terrorism, peacekeeping, ISR, unmanned systems, interoperability, training, and force modernisation. The exhibition runs concurrently and sponsors include ALIT, Aselsan, Airbus, CPMIEC, Leonardo, and Diamond Aircraft. ## Where AAF sits in the defence calendar AAF is a late-year event, positioning it after the main Northern Hemisphere autumn trade show rush (DSEI, Euronaval, AAD) but before the year closes. Its December slot in West Africa makes it accessible to European and Middle Eastern delegations travelling to the Sahel corridor. Unlike AAD or Eurosatory, which are regional mega-shows with general defence scope, AAF is vertically focused on air power and draws an audience that RSVP's specifically for air force-to-air force dialogue. There is no direct competitor on the continent for its combination of Chiefs-of-Air-Staff attendance and one-to-one meeting structure. ## Who attends AAF The primary audience is military: Chiefs of Air Staff, Deputy Chiefs, Directors of Armament and Procurement, Directors of Logistics, and operational command staff from African air forces. The 2025 edition drew 40 Air Force VIPs and 500 delegates from 40 countries including non-African observer nations (Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, USA). Industry attendees – exhibitors and sponsors – include OEMs, platform manufacturers, training system providers, ISR specialists, C4ISR companies, and UAV manufacturers. Confirmed VIPs for the 2026 edition include Air Vice Marshal Eric Agyen-Frempong (Chief of Air Staff, Ghana Air Force) and senior officers from the Togolese Air Force. ## What the AAF format includes The programme combines six distinct elements. (1) A VIP Gala Dinner on the eve of the forum provides a closed-door setting for Chiefs of Air Staff to network informally. (2) The Opening Ceremony on Day 1 is attended by government ministers and senior military leaders. (3) The 2-day International Conference features keynote speeches, technical presentations, and interactive panel discussions. (4) The 2-day International Exhibition showcases aerospace and air defence technologies alongside product demonstrations. (5) A Cocktail and Canape Reception creates an additional informal networking opportunity. (6) The structured Private One-to-One Meeting Programme guarantees each industry exhibitor face-to-face time with attending Chiefs of Air Staff, centrally coordinated by the organising committee. ## What AAF covers Key thematic and procurement areas addressed at AAF: - Combat aircraft and tactical air power (multirole fighters, light attack, close air support) - ISR and UAV systems (MALE UAVs, tactical drones, AEW&C, ELINT/SIGINT) - Strategic air mobility (tactical transport, strategic airlift, aerial refuelling) - Rotary wing aviation (attack and utility helicopters, CSAR) - Integrated air defence (SAMs, IADS, long-range radars, counter-UAS) - C4ISR and networked warfare (secure communications, airspace management) - Training and human capital (simulators, pilot training aircraft, maintenance) - Space, geospatial, and emerging technologies (AI-enabled ISR, autonomous swarms) ## The 2026 edition in numbers *(organiser-declared projections)* | | | |---|---| | Air Force VIPs | 40+ | | Speakers | 40+ | | Delegates | 500+ | | Countries represented | 40+ | | Global defence technology providers | 60+ | | Conference days | 2 | | Exhibition days | 2 | --- ## FAQ - Identity and audience ### Is the African Air Forces Forum only for African military? No. While the forum is focused on African air power and hosted by an African air force, non-African air forces (including those of Brazil, China, France, Germany, Italy, and the USA) regularly participate. International defence companies from any country may exhibit and sponsor. ### How do the one-to-one meetings work? Each industry exhibitor is guaranteed scheduled face-to-face meetings with attending Chiefs of Air Staff. The meetings are managed centrally by the organising committee and integrated into official networking breaks. This is not an open networking session – meetings are structured, timed, and listed in the programme. ### Has the forum been held before? Yes. The 5th edition takes place in 2026. Previous editions include a 2022 inaugural event and subsequent annual editions (2023, 2024, 2025) held in rotating African host countries. The 2025 edition attracted 500 delegates and 40 countries. ### Who is the commercial organiser? Great Minds Event Management (GM Events), based in Dubai (Daytona House, Motor City), manages the commercial programme. The Côte d'Ivoire Air Force provides the military host and organising committee for the 2026 edition. Forum secretariat contact: 5aaff@armees.gouv.ci. --- ## The venue: Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire The Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire is a five-star landmark hotel located in the Cocody district of Abidjan, on the shores of Ebrie Lagoon. It is Abidjan's largest conference hotel, with extensive ballroom, plenary, and break-out meeting facilities. The hotel is approximately 10 km from Felix Houphouet-Boigny International Airport. Delegates staying on-site benefit from all meeting rooms, dining, and accommodation in a single venue. ## The organiser: Great Minds Event Management GM Events (Great Minds Event Management) is a Dubai-based commercial event organiser specialising in defence and security forums across the Middle East and Africa. For AAF, GM Events manages international industry sales (sponsorship, exhibition stands, delegate registration), event logistics, media relations, and the speaker programme. The military host – the Côte d'Ivoire Air Force – manages the organising committee, VIP access, and the government-to-government protocol. Contact for sponsorship and exhibition: info@gmevents.ae, +971 4 568 7800. --- ## Editorial take *In a continent where face time with African Chiefs of Air Staff is otherwise nearly impossible to arrange commercially, AAF's guaranteed one-to-one meeting programme makes it the most efficient procurement-access event on the continent for air defence industry.* --- ## How to register and what it costs Registration is managed through the official website (airforceafrica.com). Two delegate categories are offered. Primary Delegate (military, government, ministries, policy makers, and industry professionals): USD 99 + 5% VAT. Vendor Delegate (vendors and solution providers): USD 2,799 + 5% VAT. Exhibition stand and sponsorship packages are available through GM Events. To register, visit: https://airforceafrica.com/registration/ ## FAQ - Access and practicalities ### Do I need a visa to travel to Abidjan? Visa requirements depend on nationality. Citizens of ECOWAS member states generally enter Ivory Coast without a visa. Citizens of many other countries require a visa. Check with the Ivory Coast embassy in your country well in advance; processing times can be several weeks. ### What is the dress code? Military attendees wear service uniform. Civilian attendees wear business attire. The VIP Gala Dinner on 30 November specifies business attire or national dress. ### Where should I stay? The official event venue is the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire. Delegates are advised to book rooms at the venue directly to benefit from proximity to all sessions and the private meeting programme. Overflow accommodation is available in other Cocody and Plateau district hotels. --- ## First time at African Air Forces Forum? How to prepare - **Register early as a Vendor Delegate if you are an industry exhibitor.** The one-to-one meeting programme is the primary commercial reason to attend, and stand and meeting slots are allocated in advance. Late registration may mean reduced meeting access. Contact GM Events directly at info@gmevents.ae. - **Prepare country-specific capability briefs for each air force you plan to meet.** Chiefs of Air Staff appreciate concise, tailored presentations that map your product against their known operational requirements. Bring printed material translated into French where possible, as Francophone West Africa is the regional context. - **Attend the VIP Gala Dinner if invited.** The dinner on the evening of 30 November is where the most senior military relationships are built in an informal setting. If your sponsorship package includes dinner access, treat it as the highest-value hour of the trip. - **Book the Sofitel Ivoire to stay on-site.** Sessions, meetings, and networking all take place at the venue. Staying in the hotel eliminates commute time and keeps you accessible for impromptu conversations between formal meetings. - **Confirm your visa well in advance.** Abidjan requires advance visa processing for many nationalities. Allow 4–6 weeks minimum and check current requirements with the Ivory Coast embassy in your country. - **Follow up within 48 hours of the event.** The meeting programme generates specific leads. Send tailored follow-up messages referencing the conversation held rather than generic collateral. --- ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://airforceafrica.com/ | | LinkedIn | not disclosed | | X | https://x.com/AAFFOfficial | | Register | https://airforceafrica.com/registration/ | | Programme | https://airforceafrica.com/agenda/ | --- **Last verified:** 2026-06-10 **Next review:** 2026-09-01 **Notes:** Event dates confirmed from official website homepage (01-02 December 2026, with pre-event VIP dinner 30 November). The website overview section states "May 2026" and "October 2026" in different page sections – these appear to be copy errors from earlier planning stages; the agenda and homepage consistently confirm December 2026 dates. Figures are organiser-declared projections. Registration pricing sourced from airforceafrica.com. Editions listed from available gallery pages (2022–2025). EI-00195 was originally given a "next 2026-05 (past, mark past + next edition)" marker; the confirmed next edition is December 2026. **Variables:** 40/58 **Concept definition:** applicable