ISCA 2026 In Kigali, Rwanda – More than 300 delegates from 50 countries gathered at the Kigali Convention Centre on Wednesday, 12 September 2026. They came together for a high-level discussion on the future of defence and security in Africa. The International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) brought together policymakers, security experts, technology leaders, and researchers. Together, they examined the theme: “The Rise of Autonomous Systems: Implications for Defence and Security in Africa.”
The International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) convened policymakers, security experts, technology leaders, and researchers to examine the theme: “The Rise of Autonomous Systems: Implications for Defence and Security in Africa.”
The message from African leaders was clear: the continent cannot afford to be a passive consumer of emerging military technologies. It must become an active participant in shaping how these systems are developed, governed, and used.
A Call for Homegrown Capabilities
Rwanda’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Amb. Olivier Nduhungirehe, urged African countries to invest in skills, institutions, and homegrown capabilities. He warned that autonomous systems and artificial intelligence are becoming increasingly accessible; not only to governments but also to non-state actors.
“This means that our defence and security institutions must continuously adapt and stay ahead. Africa cannot afford to fall behind as these technologies continue to evolve.”
A Fundamental Shift in Military Power
Col. Patrick Nyirishema, Head of Defence Research and Development at the Rwanda Defence Force, describes a historic transformation in how military power is measured.
“For centuries, military power was determined by who had more soldiers. But we’ve entered an era where machines can see. Machines can analyze. Machines can make decisions. And machines can act with diminishing human intervention.”
Col. Nyirishema explained that the military’s priority must shift from numbers to talent. The kind of personnel needed is changing; Africa needs people who can operate, build, and conduct operations alongside autonomous systems. He stressed the importance of developing technology that responds to Africa’s specific security needs, not just importing systems designed elsewhere.
Africa as an Active Player, Not Just a Consumer – ISCA 2026
Mali’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdoulaye Diop, issued a strong warning during the discussions. He noted that autonomous systems are already finding their way into the hands of terrorist groups. This development, he said, adds a new and dangerous dimension to asymmetric threats facing African states.
“We are not only in an asymmetrical war, but the autonomous system also brings a level of asymmetry that competes with the state.”
Diop called for Africa to move beyond being a consumer of foreign technologies and become a producer. In ISCA 2026, he emphasized that Africa must participate in the design, production, use, and maintenance of next-generation defence equipment. This, he argued, is not just a military imperative; it is a matter of industrial sovereignty, youth training, and technological mastery.
Collective Leadership and Cooperation
Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Frank Mushyo Kamanzi, Executive Director of ISCA, noted that AI and autonomous systems are reshaping warfare, border security, peace support operations, and national defence. These technologies offer major opportunities for Africa. However, they also raise critical questions around human oversight, accountability, governance, and misuse.
“How do we ensure meaningful human oversight and accountability regarding the use of force? These questions demand collective leadership and cooperation.”
Lt. Gen.(Rtd) Kamanzi therefore called for stronger cooperation to develop policies and capabilities that reflect the continent’s security needs and priorities. He stressed that Africa must play an active role in shaping global governance of these technologies. The continent cannot merely adapt to decisions made elsewhere.
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