US Army Africa Command -Led 2025 Defence Chiefs Conference Kicks Off in Nairobi

Nairobi is set to host the 2025 African Chiefs of Defence Conference starting Wednesday, under the leadership of the United States Africa Command (Africom).

The summit comes at a critical time for the continent, as several African nations grapple with political instability, economic uncertainty, and humanitarian crises—factors that could threaten U.S interests and open doors for increased influence from rival powers.

Brigadier General George Dietrich, Africom’s Director of Logistics, told The EastAfrican that the conference aims to foster open dialogue and collaboration on vital issues including military education, civil-military cooperation, and the impact of emerging technologies on security.

Touted as a leading platform for Africa’s top military officials, the event is designed to encourage joint problem-solving and strategic cooperation to address the continent’s most urgent security concerns.

“This year, we’re building on the foundation laid during the 2024 gathering in Botswana, which facilitated over 70 bilateral discussions,” said Brig-Gen Dietrich.

“Our focus remains on deepening partnerships and promoting African-led strategies.”

The 2025 conference is themed “Strengthening African Security, Sustaining Unity of Effort,” highlighting a continued commitment to regional solidarity and collaborative solutions.

Last year’s event in Gaborone emphasized mutual security goals, the strengthening of alliances, and the importance of knowledge sharing among military leaders.

“This is a major gathering,” Dietrich added. “With Kenya as our co-host, the conference brings together military leadership from across Africa to tackle shared challenges and explore collective approaches for long-term solutions.”