The inaugural International Defence Exhibition and Conference (IDEC) hosted by Ghana’s Armed Forces in Accra built upon the endeavours of Africa’s Armed Forces to enhance combined capabilities to counter the continent’s leading security challenges. This unprecedented event showcased the importance of integrating strategies and solutions across land, sea and air to solve challenges such as extremism, cross-border crime and maritime security in this region. The overarching objective was to improve regional development and security by promoting civil/defence partnership, both regionally and internationally. Through a series of unique platforms, the two-day event aimed to assemble Africa’s Defence Chiefs of Staff and senior officers and executives from and security agencies and global partners and advanced solution providers to improve combined combat operations and regional development initiatives.