On February 3, 2026, the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) unveiled its new strategic directions during a digital briefing hosted by the Africa Regional Media Hub. General Dagvin RM Anderson and Sergeant Major Garric M. Banfield outlined a vision in which military strength is now closely linked to economic development and technological innovation.

The "Security-Economy" nexus: the new paradigm

For General Anderson, returning from a mission to East Africa with diplomat Christopher Landau, security should no longer be seen as an end in itself, but as the indispensable foundation for prosperity.

1. The key idea: Security creates stability, which attracts investment, thus generating growth.
2. A concrete example: The runway project at Manda Bay (Kenya), designed to secure a vital economic corridor, illustrates this desire to link military infrastructure and commercial outlets.

A changing terrorist threat

AFRICOM's assessment is unequivocal: groups affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS) and Al-Qaeda are gaining ground.

1. In East Africa: The priority remains putting pressure on Al-Shabaab , particularly through targeted strikes in Puntland to reduce their organizational capacity.
2. In the Sahel and the Gulf of Guinea: The intensification of JNIM activities is worrying. Faced with this risk of spillover, AFRICOM is counting on "willing and capable" partners, citing Nigeria as a model of cooperation in intelligence and information fusion.

2026: A pivotal year for interoperability

The schedule of military exercises for 2026 reflects a strengthened multilateral approach. The objective is to streamline coordination between armed forces with different operational cultures.

Exercise	Area of influence	Main focus
African Lion	Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, Senegal	Multi-domain cooperation
Cutlass Express	East Façade (Mozambique)	Maritime security and surveillance
Justified Accord	Kenya, Tanzania, Djibouti	Crisis response and peacekeeping
Flintlock	Ivory Coast, Libya	Special forces and counter-terrorism tactics

Innovation and surveillance: beyond weapons

Innovation is not limited to equipment provided by the United States. Sergeant Major Banfield emphasized a two-way exchange : while the American army contributes its technology, it also draws inspiration from the agile solutions and local adaptations developed by African partners.

This modernization particularly affects the maritime domain, where the fight against illegal fishing and piracy is becoming a major issue of economic sovereignty for coastal nations.