COAS advocates indigenous African defence technology to reduce foreign dependence

Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has emphasized the importance of creating indigenous African technologies and bolstering local defense manufacturing to decrease reliance on foreign military equipment and bolster the continent's self-reliance in security. Shaibu paid a visit to the Rwanda Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation (REMCO) in Kigali on October 21, 2026, as part of his official mission to the Republic of Rwanda.

Colonel Appolonia Anele, serving as the acting Director of Army Public Relations, reported that during the visit, Shaibu engaged with REMCO's capabilities, stressing the increasing significance of African innovation, technological progress, and industrial might in constructing robust and enduring defense systems. The interaction reaffirmed the necessity for African countries to utilize indigenous expertise, invest in research and development, and foster technological collaborations to generate homegrown solutions to modern security challenges.

REMCO, founded in 2018, is a state-owned engineering and manufacturing entity specializing in precision engineering, machining, metal casting, fabrication, and the creation of machinery, equipment, and spare parts. The corporation's escalating industrial prowess demonstrates Africa's potential to develop essential technologies, fortify local production capacities, and gradually diminish dependence on foreign supply chains, according to the statement.

The visit also underscored the strategic importance of enhancing Nigeria's indigenous defense-industrial base through entities like the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON). Cultivating local manufacturing competencies remains vital for sustaining military operations, boosting equipment availability, upgrading maintenance capabilities, and fostering technological innovation.