The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Nigerian Army, 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 was disclosed in a statement issued on 21st October, 2026, by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
The statement noted that this formed the thrust of his visit to the Rwanda Engineering and Manufacturing Corporation (REMCO) in Kigali, on Wednesday, 21st October, 2026, as part of his official working visit to the Republic of Rwanda.
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 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.
It also aligns with the COAS’s vision of transforming the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready and resilient force capable of responding decisively to emerging security threats.
Beyond bilateral military cooperation, the engagement underscored the broader imperative of African-led technological development as a foundation for continental security, economic resilience and strategic autonomy. With evolving security threats and uncertainties in global defence supply chains, strengthening indigenous research, innovation and manufacturing capabilities has become essential to Africa’s ability to safeguard its interests.
The visit therefore reinforces the conviction that Africa’s long-term security and technological sovereignty must be anchored on African ingenuity, homegrown innovation and sustainable defence-industrial partnerships.