IMDEC -- International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference

Origins and history

IMDEC was launched in 2019 as a response to the growing recognition of maritime insecurity in the Gulf of Guinea -- one of the world's highest-risk maritime zones for piracy, illegal fishing, oil theft, smuggling, and transnational crime. Great Minds Event Management, an established Gulf-based defence event organiser, partnered with the Ghana Navy to host a forum that would bring African naval leadership together with global defence suppliers in a context specifically tailored to the region's operational challenges. Four editions have been held: 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 (8-9 July 2025). Each edition has grown in attendance, speaker quality, and exhibitor participation.

The 2027 edition: fifth anniversary

The 5th edition of IMDEC is scheduled for 6-7 July 2027 at Burma Hall in Accra. Based on the pattern of previous editions, the opening ceremony is expected to be attended by 600+ local, regional, and international officials, including ministers, national security advisors, and chiefs of navies. The event will continue its twin-track format of a high-level policy conference and an industry exhibition, with an emphasis on West African maritime security collaboration, naval modernisation, and emerging threats including unmanned maritime systems and cybersecurity.

Where IMDEC sits in the defence calendar

IMDEC occupies a unique and largely uncontested position as the only international maritime defence exhibition in Africa. Its July timing avoids direct competition with the major global naval shows (EURONAVAL in October, biennial; Sea Air Space in spring). IMDEC's regional focus on West African and pan-African naval requirements means it addresses a market systematically underserved by global defence shows focused on NATO or GCC procurement. For international naval suppliers seeking access to African navies, IMDEC is effectively the only commercially structured route to high-level engagement.

Who attends IMDEC

The event draws chiefs of navy and coast guard from West African nations and increasingly from across the broader African continent. The 2025 edition attracted over 200 delegates from more than 25 countries. High-profile attendees have included ministers, chief of defence staff, national security advisors, deputy operations admirals, and senior defence attaches. Exhibitors and sponsors are predominantly international naval technology companies offering naval vessels, patrol boats, surveillance systems, unmanned maritime assets, cybersecurity solutions, and fleet modernisation services. The delegate demographic is distinctly senior: the programme is shaped around ministerial and flag-officer engagement.

What the IMDEC format includes

IMDEC combines a conference programme of keynote speeches, expert presentations, and panel discussions with a parallel exhibition featuring sponsors and technology providers. Site visits to Ghanaian naval installations (including the Sekondi Naval Base) have been featured in past editions, providing an operational context for technology demonstrations. Bilateral meetings and networking are integral to the two-day format. The conference theme for the 2025 edition was "Securing Africa's Maritime Future: Collaboration, Technology, and Sustainability in a Changing Geopolitical Landscape."

What IMDEC covers

Core themes include: piracy and illicit maritime activity in the Gulf of Guinea, naval vessel modernisation, patrol and surveillance systems, unmanned surface and undersea vehicles, maritime cybersecurity, fleet interoperability and multilateral maritime security cooperation, intelligence sharing, coast guard capability development, and the role of global defence suppliers in building African naval capacity.

The 2025 edition in numbers (organiser-declared)

The venue: Burma Hall, Accra

Burma Hall is a government and military event facility in Accra, Ghana, used for high-level defence and security gatherings. Its use for IMDEC reflects the event's formal hosting by the Ghana Navy and Ministry of Defence. Accra is accessible via Kotoka International Airport, which is served by international flights from London, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Dubai, and major African hubs. Accra is the capital of Ghana and offers a range of international hotel accommodation. Specific address and transport details for the 2027 edition should be confirmed with the organiser.

The organiser: Great Minds Event Management

Great Minds Event Management is a Dubai-based event management company specialising in defence, security, and government events across the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia. It operates from Daytona House, Motor City, Dubai, UAE (tel: +971 4 568 7800; email: info@gmevents.ae). In addition to IMDEC, Great Minds has organised the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC) series. It serves as the commercial and logistical partner to the Ghana Navy for IMDEC, handling exhibitor relations, delegate registration, programme management, and media.

First time at IMDEC? How to prepare

• Register early and arrange your visa well in advance. Ghana visa processing can take several weeks for some nationalities. Request an official invitation letter from Great Minds Event Management as soon as your attendance is confirmed to support the visa application.
• Understand the seniority level of the room. IMDEC is a ministerial-and-flag-officer event. Come prepared to engage at a strategic level; the conference format is not a technical workshop but a high-level policy and partnership dialogue.
• Review past editions for context. Post-event reports and presentations from 2019-2025 are available on the official website. Reading them will give you a clear picture of recurring agenda themes, key delegations, and the policy conclusions that have shaped previous discussions.
• Arrive at the opening ceremony. The first morning attracts 600+ officials and sets the political tone for the entire event. It is also the main networking opportunity with the most senior attendees, many of whom may have limited availability later in the programme.
• Prepare materials relevant to West African naval requirements. The audience's procurement priorities centre on patrol vessels, surveillance, counter-piracy, and fleet sustainment rather than high-end combat systems. Tailor presentations and product demonstrations accordingly.