General Rudzani Maphwanya, Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), will deliver the keynote address on the second day of the AAD 2026 Conference, taking place from 16 to 18 September at Air Force Base Waterkloof.
General Maphwanya will open the African Defence Industry Showcase on Thursday, 17 September with a keynote address examining “The current status of Africa’s defence industry.”
His participation brings one of the continent’s most senior military voices to an important and timely discussion about the development, resilience and future of Africa’s defence-manufacturing capabilities.
“We are honoured to welcome General Rudzani Maphwanya to the AAD 2026 Conference. His keynote address will provide an important strategic perspective on the current state of Africa’s defence industry and the steps needed to strengthen the continent’s sovereign defence-manufacturing capabilities,” said Nakedi Phasha, AAD 2026 Event Director.
“His participation reinforces the calibre and relevance of this year’s programme and offers delegates a valuable opportunity to hear directly from South Africa’s most senior military leader.”
General Maphwanya’s address will examine how defence manufacturing is developing across Africa and what this means for national sovereignty, industrialisation and international partnerships.
He will also consider defence-industrial strategies and priorities across the continent, as well as the respective roles of the public and private sectors in building sustainable defence-manufacturing capabilities.
Regional cooperation and intra-African trade will be another important focus, including how African countries can collaborate more effectively to strengthen the continent’s defence industry and reduce dependence on external supply chains.
The keynote will also consider the short- and longer-term outlook for Africa’s defence-manufacturing capabilities and set the strategic context for a full day of discussions involving senior military leaders, government representatives, defence-industry executives, researchers and technology specialists.
Day Two of the conference will explore several of the most pressing issues facing the African defence sector, including:
- Building sustainable defence-industrial capacity across Africa
- Leveraging South Africa’s defence industry to strengthen regional defence and security
- Public-private partnerships in defence
- Defence research, development and commercialisation
- Revitalising Denel as a strategic African defence asset
- Ammunition production capacity and stockpile security
- Space-based technologies and Africa’s role in the emerging space economy
- Indigenous capability development and strategic industry collaboration
- The contribution of women and female-owned businesses to Africa’s defence sector
The AAD 2026 Conference takes place under the theme “Africa’s Future Defence: Trends, Innovation and Opportunities” and will bring together key decision-makers from the military, government, defence industry and broader security sector.
General Maphwanya’s keynote address will take place from 09h10 to 09h40 on Thursday, 17 September 2026, at Air Force Base Waterkloof.
Delegates can attend Day Two individually or register for the full three-day conference programme.
View the complete Day Two agenda:
https://aadconf.aadexpo.co.za/agenda-day-two/
Register to attend:
https://aad.events.tixsa.co.za/conference
