Hosted by the Rwanda Defence Force (RDF) Command and Staff College, this year's conference, which kicked off on Monday, November 11, is being held under the theme 'The Future of African Military Training and Education: Bridging the Digital Divide.'
The three-day meeting brings together Commandants of African Command and Staff Colleges, senior defence representatives, and security experts from 24 nations to deliberate on how to harness technology and digital learning in building a more self-reliant and interoperable African defence architecture.
In his opening remarks, Brigadier General Andrew Nyamvumba, Commandant of the RDF Command and Staff College, welcomed delegates to what he described as a gathering of Africa's 'intellectual and professional military leadership.'
'This forum is more than a meeting of institutions; it is a convergence of Africa's intellectual and professional military leadership,' Brig Gen Nyamvumba said. 'It is where ideas are exchanged, doctrines refined and partnerships strengthened in pursuit of interoperable regional and African standby forces for a more secure, resilient and self-reliant Africa.'
Highlighting the significance of this year's theme, Brig Gen Nyamvumba underscored the need to integrate digital tools and innovative methodologies into Africa's military education systems.
'Over the next three days, we shall deliberate on critical issues affecting our military education systems, from standardisation of curricula and exchange programmes to integrating technology and leveraging digital learning platforms,' he added.
He also announced the handover of the ACoC chairmanship from the RDF Command and Staff College to the Tanzania People's Defence Force (TPDF) Command and Staff College, commending the forum's continued role in harmonising doctrines and training across the continent.
Rwanda's Minister of Defence, Juvenal Marizamunda, officially opened the conference, commending ACoC's work in promoting unity of purpose among African military education institutions. He described the forum as a cornerstone in building Africa's collective defence capacity through shared learning and collaboration.
'The threats facing Africa are multifaceted, from terrorism and cyber warfare to illegal migration, transnational crime and climate-related insecurity,' Minister Marizamunda said. 'Addressing these requires a generation of officers who are not only tactically capable but also digitally literate, ethically grounded and strategically agile.'
He lauded the RDF Command and Staff College for its 'exemplary stewardship' as the current chair of ACoC, noting that Rwanda's leadership had strengthened cooperation among member institutions and prepared the ground for a smooth transition to Tanzania.
Maj Gen Stephen Mnkande, Commandant of Tanzania's TPDF Command and Staff College, emphasised that education and training were the backbone of Africa's readiness to respond to emerging security threats under the African Union Peace and Security Architecture.
'For the African Standby Force to remain ready, education and training are essential,' he said. 'Forums like the ACoC allow Commandants to harmonise doctrines and ensure that all our forces speak the same language when it comes to African Union operations. As the world moves fast into digitisation, we too must embrace technology in our training and preparedness.'
Air Commodore N. Maghidir of Libya's Command and Staff College, which hosted the previous edition of the conference in Tripoli, commended Rwanda for its hospitality and organisational excellence. He noted that such gatherings provide 'a very important opportunity for Africa's military academies to discuss complex security and strategic challenges' facing the continent.
The ACoC, established as a continental platform for Commandants of African Command and Staff Colleges, aims to enhance professional military education, promote harmonisation of training doctrines, and strengthen interoperability among member states.
As discussions continue in Kigali, participants are expected to develop actionable recommendations to modernise military education, foster digital transformation, and build a new generation of African military leaders equipped to respond to both traditional and emerging security challenges.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
