COAS advocates indigenous African defence know-how to scale back overseas dependence

Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has underscored the strategic crucial of creating indigenous African applied sciences and strengthening native defence manufacturing capabilities to scale back dependence on overseas army tools and improve the continent’s safety self-reliance.

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

Colonel Appolonia Anele, appearing Director of the Army Public Relations, in a press release, stated in the course of the go to, the COAS, who was obtained by the Chief Executive Officer of REMCO, Mr Emile Rungambajye, explored the company’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities, highlighting the rising significance of African innovation, technological development and industrial capability in constructing resilient and sustainable defence programs.

The engagement bolstered the necessity for African nations to harness indigenous experience, put money into analysis and growth, and strengthen technological partnerships to provide homegrown options to up to date safety 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 increasing industrial capabilities exhibit Africa’s potential to develop vital applied sciences, strengthen native manufacturing capability and progressively cut back reliance on overseas provide 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.