Ivory Coast Air Force Hosts 5th African Air Forces Forum in December 2026 with Training and Simulation Among Key Procurement Focus Areas

Côte d'Ivoire – The 5th African Air Forces Forum, hosted by the Côte d'Ivoire Air Force and organised by Great Minds Event Management, will be held on 1–2 December 2026 at the Abidjan Convention Center, with a pre-event VIP Gala Dinner on 30 November 2026 at the Sofitel Abidjan Hotel Ivoire. The forum will bring together more than 40 Air Force VIPs, 500-plus delegates, and 60-plus global defence technology providers from more than 40 countries, under the theme "Building Interoperable Air Defence and UAV Capabilities for Regional Peace and Resilience."

• The 5th AAF builds on prior editions, with representation having grown from 28 countries and 400 delegates in 2024 to an expected 40-plus countries and 500-plus delegates in 2026, reflecting the forum's expanding footprint as Africa's leading air power engagement platform.
• The forum's Training and Human Capital Development procurement focus area is of direct relevance to the pilot training and aviation training industry, with African air forces actively seeking advanced flight simulators, pilot training aircraft, tactical training systems, and maintenance and engineering training facilities.
• The combined estimated air force defence spending for African countries over 2026–2030 is projected at $26–30 billion, focused on air superiority, surveillance, strategic mobility, and integrated air defence. Readiness and Training accounts for 10% of the AAF Capability and Spending Index — equating to an estimated $2.6–3 billion directed toward training-related procurement across the continent.
• Key procurement areas of interest to the pilot training industry include advanced flight simulators, pilot training aircraft, tactical training systems, and maintenance and engineering training facilities, alongside rotary wing platforms, ISR systems, and C4ISR.
• The 2026 forum's confirmed sponsors include Airbus and Embraer as Gold Sponsors; Leonardo, Diamond Aircraft, and Pratt & Whitney as Silver Sponsors; and Textron Aviation (Special Missions) and Indra among confirmed exhibitors.
• The event's organising committee is chaired by Brigadier General Dosso Mahamoud of the Côte d'Ivoire Air Force, with advisors including Brigadier General Bleoue Ehui and Brigadier General Toure Famma.

Source: African Air Forces Forum