Shettima urged Africa to develop original solutions for security challenges

Vice President Kashim Shettima has urged African countries to embrace strategies planted at home to overcome the greater continent security threat, warning that dependence on foreign technology will not guarantee long-term stability.

Speaking at the 2025 African Defense Staff Summit in Abuja on Monday, Shettima stressed that Africa must position itself as a producer of technology and military innovation rather than remained depending on external solutions.

“The nature of war has evolved. Today’s threat is asymmetrical, digital, and often invisible. Our response should not be less dynamic,” he said. “We must invest in cyberspace defense, artificial intelligence, and original military innovation. Africa cannot remain just a technology consumer. We must be the creator, innovator, and the owner of the tool that secures our tomorrow.”

The Vice President described the Summit as a platform for African defense leaders to re -assess collective strategies, deepen trust, and strengthen the mechanism of intelligence.

He highlighted the scale of the challenges faced by the continent, ranging from rebellions in desert areas to piracy at sea, cyberspace crimes, and transnational criminal networks operations.

“None of this tragedy respects the border, and not our response. What is true of our challenges must also be true of our determination. We cannot neutralize these threats separately,” Shettimima warned.

Underline the relationship between security and development, Shettima calls on the cooperation of the defense industry, joint training, harmonized doctrines, and systems that can be operated throughout the African military. He also urged the private sector to partner with the government by investing in defense as a protection for the survival of the continent.

“We are bound as a family, sharing not only the border, but also destiny. And in this family, defense is the first expression of love that can be promised each other members,” he added.

Shettima stressed that the Summit must serve not only as a meeting but as a commitment to build solutions led by Africa that eternal for African security challenges.