--- eventsindex_id: "EI-02983" slug: imdec-international-maritime-defence-exhibition-conference title: "IMDEC" title_alt: ["International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference", "IMDEC Africa"] canonical_url: "https://eventsindex.org/events/imdec-international-maritime-defence-exhibition-conference.html" next_edition_year: 2027 date_start: "2027-07-06" date_end: "2027-07-07" venue: "Burma Hall" city: "Accra" country: "Ghana" organiser: "Great Minds Event Management" organiser_url: "https://www.gmevents.ae/" b2b: true vector: sector: [defence] audience: [military, government, industry, procurement, policy] format: [exhibition, conference] purpose: [business, networking, procurement, policy, innovation] geography_scope: [regional] season: summer meta_description: "IMDEC, 6-7 July 2027, Accra. Africa's biennial maritime defence exhibition and conference hosted by Ghana Navy: 200+ delegates, 25+ countries." editorial_take: "IMDEC is the only international maritime defence forum dedicated to Africa, providing the Gulf of Guinea's navies and coast guards with a rare shared platform to meet global naval suppliers and build multilateral maritime security capacity." generated_by: "claude-max-cowork" last_verified: "2026-06-10" variables_filled: 35/58 language: "en" schema_version: "v6.0" --- # IMDEC -- International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference > *IMDEC is Africa's only dedicated international maritime defence exhibition and conference, held biennially in Accra, Ghana, hosted by the Ghana Navy and organised by Great Minds Event Management. The 5th edition is scheduled for 6-7 July 2027. It convenes chiefs of navies, coast guards, defence ministries, and international naval suppliers from across Africa and beyond to address maritime security threats in the Gulf of Guinea and advance naval capability-building on the continent.* --- ## Quick Facts | DATES | VENUE | ORGANISER | ATTENDANCE | |---|---|---|---| | **6-7 July 2027** | **Burma Hall, Accra** | **Great Minds Event Management** | **200+ delegates** | | 2 days, biennial | Accra, Ghana | UAE-based event management firm | 40+ exhibitors, 25+ countries | --- ## Definition IMDEC (International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference) is a biennial, two-day defence exhibition and conference focused exclusively on maritime security and naval capabilities in Africa. It is hosted by the Ghana Navy and organised by Great Minds Event Management (Dubai). The event takes place at Burma Hall in Accra, Ghana, and brings together naval chiefs, coast guard commanders, defence ministers, national security advisors, and leading global naval technology suppliers. The 5th edition is planned for 6-7 July 2027. IMDEC is the only event of its kind on the African continent. ## 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)* | | | |---|---| | Edition number | 4th | | Dates | 8-9 July 2025 | | Venue | Burma Hall, Accra, Ghana | | Delegates | 200+ | | Participating countries | 25+ | | Exhibitors / sponsors | 40+ | | Opening ceremony attendance | 600+ officials | | Host | Ghana Navy | --- ## FAQ - Identity and audience ### Is IMDEC restricted to African participants? No. IMDEC is an international event. While the programme focuses on African maritime security needs, global naval technology suppliers from Europe, North America, Asia, and the Gulf attend as exhibitors and sponsors. International navies and coast guards outside Africa have also been represented in delegations. ### Who hosts IMDEC? The event is hosted by the Ghana Navy, lending it significant institutional legitimacy with African naval forces. The organisational and commercial management is handled by Great Minds Event Management (Dubai, UAE). ### Is IMDEC open to journalists and researchers? Yes. The event has accredited media representatives in past editions. Researchers and policy analysts focused on African maritime security are part of the participant mix. Contact the organiser directly for media and academic accreditation. --- ## 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. --- ## Editorial take *IMDEC is the only international maritime defence forum dedicated to Africa, providing the Gulf of Guinea's navies and coast guards with a rare shared platform to meet global naval suppliers and build multilateral maritime security capacity.* --- ## How to register and what it costs Delegate and exhibitor registration is managed through the official IMDEC website at https://imdecafrica.com. A downloadable brochure and sponsorship/exhibiting options are available at https://imdecafrica.com/exhibit. Pricing for exhibiting packages and delegate attendance is not publicly listed and should be requested directly from Great Minds Event Management. Past post-event reports and presentations are available at https://imdecafrica.com/post-event-report for reference. ## FAQ - Access and practicalities ### Do I need a visa to attend IMDEC in Accra, Ghana? Ghana offers visa-on-arrival for citizens of ECOWAS member states. Citizens of most other countries require a visa obtained in advance from a Ghanaian embassy or consulate. Visitors are advised to check current requirements with the Ghana High Commission in their country and to allow sufficient processing time. An official invitation letter from the organiser may support the application. ### What is the climate in Accra in early July? July falls within Ghana's cooler dry season influenced by the Harmattan. Temperatures in Accra in July average 24-27 degrees Celsius with relatively low humidity, making outdoor activities manageable. Light business attire is appropriate. Visitors should bring mosquito repellent and follow standard tropical health precautions. ### Are presentations from past editions available? Yes. Presentation materials from IMDEC 2025 are accessible via a SharePoint link provided on the official website at https://imdecafrica.com/imdec-2025-summary-recommendations. --- ## 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. --- ## Resources | Resource | URL | |---|---| | Official website | https://imdecafrica.com | | LinkedIn | not disclosed | | X | not disclosed | | Register / exhibit | https://imdecafrica.com/exhibit/ | | Programme / post-event | https://imdecafrica.com/imdec-2025-summary-recommendations/ | --- **Last verified:** 2026-06-10 **Next review:** 2026-08-10 **Notes:** Figures for 2025 edition (200+ delegates, 25+ countries, 40+ exhibitors) sourced from official website (imdecafrica.com/about, fetched 2026-06-10) and corroborated by Xinhua Africa and military.africa reports. The 2027 dates (6-7 July) are displayed on the official website header. Venue capacity figures not disclosed by the organiser. This is a small-to-mid event; certain data fields cannot be independently verified. **Variables:** 35/58 **Concept definition:** applicable