Why it matters
BAMEX is the only defense trade show in the Sahel region with dedicated live-demonstration days before procuring delegations, giving exhibitors direct access to heads of state offices, ministries of defense, general staff, and procurement authorities from up to 54 African nations in a single venue. For SMEs and startups, it offers a rare early-mover opportunity in one of the world's fastest-growing defense markets, where demand for border security, UAS, counter-UAS, and soldier systems is acute. The organizers project up to $500 million in business volume per edition, making it a commercially high-stakes platform despite its relatively compact size.
About
BAMEX'26 is the Bamako International Defense and Security Exhibition, a five-day event combining three days of indoor exhibition (9–11 November) with two dedicated live-demonstration days (12–13 November) at FEBAK. Held under the patronage of the Presidency of the Republic of Mali and the Ministry of Defense and Veterans Affairs, it brings together defense manufacturers, official procurement delegations, and senior military leadership from across Africa and beyond. The 2026 edition is the second edition of the event and adopts a fully international format, expanding beyond its inaugural Turkish-only exhibitor base to include global defense industry participants. Core technology domains span land platforms, air systems, maritime, UAS, counter-UAS, cyber, and space.
Market intel
Moderate pricinglow confidence
The inaugural BAMEX'25 (November 2025) was limited to approximately 30 Turkish defense companies, with delegations from roughly 35–40 countries attending live demonstrations at a secured military area near Bamako. For 2026, organizers plan a fully international format targeting triple the exhibitor count and double the delegation count of the first edition, with a projected $500 million trade volume. No verified post-show attendance or floor-space figures for either edition are publicly available.
Notable exhibitorsASELSANBaykarRoketsanMKE (Makine ve Kimya Endüstrisi)OtokarHAVELSANSTMCANiK
AI-researched Mon, 24 August 2026. Estimates from public sources. Verify with the organizer.
Topics
Land systemsUAS / DronesC-UASISR & SensorsCyber
Who it's for
PrimesSMEsInstitutions