Turkish defense industry showcases products at Mali's BAMEX'25 expo

Turkish defense industry leaders are presenting their advanced capabilities at the inaugural Bamako Expo Fair (BAMEX'25) in Mali, representing the first African defense exhibition featuring exclusively Turkish corporate participation. Organized under the Turkish Defense Industries Secretariat's leadership, the week-long event at Bamako's Fair and Exhibition Center showcases products from prominent Turkish defense contractors including Baykar, Aselsan, Roketsan, and multiple other specialized manufacturers.

African Security Challenges and Counterterrorism Focus

Malian Prime Minister Abdoulaye Maiga emphasized during the opening ceremony that Africa confronts unprecedented security and geopolitical challenges that undermine regional stability and development. He characterized modern terrorism as borderless and evolving beyond conventional weapons to incorporate artificial intelligence, covert social networks, and digital platforms for attack planning and execution. Maiga asserted that security represents an essential requirement rather than an optional consideration, stressing that counterterrorism success depends on autonomous security architectures and collaborative international efforts.

Turkish-Malian Defense Partnership

Ambassador Efe Ceylan, Türkiye's representative in Mali, stated the exhibition demonstrates Mali's capacity and determination to assume international leadership roles while highlighting Turkish commitment to strengthening defense cooperation with Bamako. The ambassador noted Türkiye's participation reinforces its status as Mali's reliable partner and confirmed ongoing support for counterterrorism efforts, referencing established defense and security cooperation with Niger, Burkina Faso, and other African nations that parallels Türkiye's broader international strategic partnerships.

Comprehensive Bilateral Relations

Beyond immediate defense industry collaboration, Turkish officials expressed intentions to develop broader bilateral relations encompassing education, trade, and additional sectors. The exclusive Turkish participation in Mali's inaugural defense exhibition underscores Türkiye's strategic engagement with African nations and its emergence as a globally significant defense equipment exporter, reflecting Ankara's multidimensional foreign policy approach that combines security cooperation with economic and educational partnerships across the continent.