COAS advocates indigenous African defence technology to reduce foreign dependence

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has underscored the strategic imperative of developing indigenous African technologies and strengthening local defence manufacturing capabilities to reduce dependence on foreign military equipment and enhance the continent’s security self-reliance.

This formed the thrust of his visit to the Rwanda Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation, REMCO, in Kigali, on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, as part of his official working visit to the Republic of Rwanda.

Colonel Appolonia Anele, acting Director of the Army Public Relations, in a statement, said during the visit, the COAS, who was received by the Chief Executive Officer of REMCO, Mr Emile Rungambajye, explored the corporation’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities, highlighting the growing importance of African innovation, technological advancement and industrial capacity in building resilient and sustainable defence systems.

The engagement reinforced the need for African nations to harness indigenous expertise, invest in research and development, and strengthen technological partnerships to produce homegrown solutions to contemporary security challenges.

“Established in 2018, REMCO is a government-owned engineering and manufacturing enterprise specialising in precision engineering, machining, metal casting, fabrication and the production of machinery, equipment and spare parts.

“Its expanding industrial capabilities demonstrate Africa’s potential to develop critical technologies, strengthen local production capacity and progressively reduce reliance on foreign supply chains,” the statement said.

The visit further highlighted the strategic relevance of strengthening Nigeria’s indigenous defence-industrial base through institutions such as the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, DICON. Developing local manufacturing capabilities remains critical to sustaining military operations, improving equipment availability, enhancing maintenance capacity and promoting technological innovation.