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AfricaTrade shows & exhibitions

6–7 Jul 2027

International Maritime Defence Exhibition & Conference (IMDEC)

Burma Hall, Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters (venue TBC for 2027) · Accra, Ghana

Dates
Tue, 6 July 2027 – Wed, 7 July 2027
Venue
Burma Hall, Ghana Armed Forces Headquarters (venue TBC for 2027)
Location
Accra, Ghana
Organizer
Great Minds Event Management (GM Events), Dubai, UAE
Cost
paid
Scale
intimate
Recurrence
biennial
Format
On-site

Market intel

Moderate pricingmedium confidence

IMDEC is a compact but high-access biennial event where a small number of global maritime defence suppliers gain direct exposure to African naval chiefs and procurement officials.

  • The 2025 edition drew 800+ VIP attendees from 27+ countries, with 20 Chiefs of Navy/Coast Guard and 19 sponsors/exhibitors.
  • Recurring sponsors include major naval OEMs such as Israel Shipyards, ASELSAN, Leonardo, and OCEA.
Notable exhibitors
Israel Shipyards LtdASELSANOCEALeonardoGrup Aresa InternacionalHughes Systems Networks

AI-researched Wed, 2 September 2026. Estimates from public sources. Verify with the organizer.

Why it matters

IMDEC is the single most direct access point for defence suppliers seeking to engage African naval procurement decision-makers, with 15–20 Chiefs of Navy and Coast Guard attending each edition.

  • The event's intimate, high-access format allows SMEs and niche technology providers to secure face-time with senior military officials through pre-booked one-on-one meetings — a rare opportunity outside of major global shows.
  • For companies targeting the fast-growing African maritime security market, IMDEC offers unmatched regional reach with a focused, qualified audience.

About

IMDEC is Africa's premier biennial maritime defence exhibition and conference, hosted by the Ghana Navy in Accra.

  • The two-day event convenes African and international Chiefs of Naval Staff, defence ministries, coast guards, and global industry suppliers to address maritime security threats in the Gulf of Guinea and across the continent — including piracy, illegal fishing, smuggling, and transnational crime.
  • An invite-only Gala Dinner for senior naval leadership precedes the main event, followed by a full conference programme, exhibition, and cocktail reception.
  • Now in its fifth edition (2027), IMDEC is the only international maritime defence conference of its kind focused exclusively on Africa.

Topics

MaritimeISR & SensorsC2 / Battle ManagementCyberEW

Who it's for

PrimesSMEsInstitutions

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