Buratai Advocates for Indigenous Defence Technology Development in Africa

At the International Security Conference on Africa in Kigali, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai highlighted the importance of developing indigenous defence technologies across African nations.

He pointed out that passive consumption of foreign technologies is no longer viable, urging countries to foster local capacity for adapting and regulating defence systems to meet their unique security needs. Buratai also stressed the necessity for collaboration among governments, academic institutions, and tech companies to innovate and build sustainable technological ecosystems.

The former Army Chief noted that strategic capacity cannot solely rely on acquiring sophisticated military hardware; it requires robust human expertise and research. He underscored the risks associated with autonomous systems, advocating for proactive measures to ensure ethical decision-making in military operations. African nations must invest in research and education to prepare for emerging threats rather than wait for shifts in warfare dynamics.