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2021-05-05

ShieldAfrica to Focus on Security in Cities

Security challenges in Africa will be in sharp focus of ShieldAfrica, the security and defence exhibition of reference where the public and private sector, security and defence players meet global industrial manufacturers. ShieldAfrica takes off as a physical event in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, from June 8 to 10, 2021. One week before, from 31 May to 4 June, an e-conference session will be offered to discuss the theme:

“News security issues in African cities”.
The exhibition this year will cover various aspects such as: Establishing African cities as trustworthy territories, protecting states, national identities, economic actors and trade security, preserving human wealth, natural resources and the environment, combating terrorism, piracy, fraud, crime and illicit trafficking and support for private firms and public institutions.

ShieldAfrica will allow security and defence decision-makers of the African continent (both public and private sector) to compare their expertise and to discover with exhibitors the solutions adapted to the new challenges resulting from the growth of African cities.

As per the 2021 edition of the African Economic Outlook released by the African Development Bank (AfDB), Africa is projected to recover in 2021 from its worst economic recession in half a century.

Economic activity in Africa was constrained in 2020 by an unprecedented global pandemic caused by COVID–19. Real GDP in Africa is projected to grow by 3.4 per cent in 2021.

This projected recovery will be underpinned by a resumption of tourism, a rebound in commodity prices, and the rollback of pandemic-induced restrictions.

ShieldAfrica offers appropriate responses to security and defence needs for the development of Africa through various means like managing resources, fighting against cross-border terrorism, and securing fast-growing urbanisation.

Why ShieldAfrica?

A continent extremely rich in natural resources, Africa must counter the major threats that create obstacles to its development.

The safety of the African people and their activities is a prerequisite for any form of economic expansion. There cannot be development without security. ShieldAfrica offers to African leaders a unique opportunity to meet and discover a robust worldwide offer to counter the threats they may be faced with.

The event offers land, naval and air solutions to protect Africa’s development through the following:

• Provide the safety required for economic growth

• Restore or maintain peace

• Prevent and fight against natural and industrial disasters

• Provide security for the cities

• Expand the services required for institutional and private stakeholders

Success Story

ShieldAfrica was born out of an African initiative to respond to Africa’s security challenges. From its first edition in Abidjan in 2013, ShieldAfrica has attracted great interest from institutional and private players on the continent and with companies used to exhibiting at international Security and Defence fairs.

The first exhibition, from 26 to 28 May 2013 at the Port-Bouët charter airport in Abidjan attracted 35 exhibitors, 1,500 visitors and 11 African ministerial delegations on the theme of “Human Trafficking.”

The second exhibition, from 6 to 8 May 2014 at the Abidjan Police Academy was attended by 56 exhibitors, 2,500 visitors, 19 African ministerial delegations on the theme of “Piracy at sea.”

The third exhibition, from 19 to 21 May 2015 in Libreville, Gabon gathered 45 exhibitors, 2,000 visitors, 13 African ministerial delegations on the theme of “Cyber warfare and cyber security.”

In 2019, the exhibition welcomed 145 exhibitors, 3,651 trade visitors, 74 official delegations from 29 African countries and 84 journalists from five continents. A plenary conference of 350 participants on the theme of border security, took place the day before the event on the 21st of January.

The forthcoming show will also see the participation of international exhibitors and decision-makers from all over Africa, according to the organisers. The up-to-date Exhibitors’s list is available on the official website: https://www.shieldafrica.com/visiting – “who could you meet” section.

Venue

ShieldAfrica is held in Abidjan within the grounds of the Ecole nationale de police (Cocody). The Ivorian economic capital has many advantages for a successful, first-class international event.

This major city, known for its spectacular development, has an international airport that is perfectly connected to the global air network. With its deep-water port, Abidjan is a major continental hub that allows exhibitors to transport heavy or bulky equipment to their stand. The presence of many renowned hotels helps to give all the visitors and exhibitors a pleasant stay.

The health protocol has been strengthened to welcome participants during ShieldAfrica in complete safety. The hygiene rules have been adapted, the existing procedures and protocols have been enriched with ministerial recommendations.

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