African countries have been urged to translate discussions on the continent’s security challenges into concrete action following the conclusion of the 13th Africa Security Symposium (ASEC 2026) in Accra.
Closing the three-day event at the Labadi Beach Hotel, Minister for the Interior Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak said the success of the symposium would ultimately be measured by the steps governments and partners take after the gathering.
“The true test of this symposium will not be what we discussed over these three days, but what we do next,” he said.
Held under the theme “Strengthening African Security Through Innovation and Inclusion,” ASEC 2026 brought together 415 delegates from 29 African countries, alongside technology providers and partners from Europe, Asia and the Americas.
Muntaka said Africa’s evolving security threats demanded both continental leadership and sustained collaboration.
“Africa’s peace and security challenges require African leadership, but they also require trusted partnerships, practical solutions, and sustained cooperation across borders, sectors, and institutions,” he said.
Delegates discussed a range of pressing security issues, including counterterrorism and violent extremism, border security, transnational crime, cyber resilience, climate-driven insecurity, health security, peace operations and aviation security.
The minister called on participants to maintain the momentum generated during the symposium by strengthening cooperation and ensuring innovation delivers practical benefits.
“Let us leave Accra with renewed commitment. Let us continue to build African security frameworks that are responsive, inclusive, and future-ready. Let us ensure that innovation serves people, that technology strengthens institutions, and that cooperation leads to tangible improvements in peace, stability, and human security,” he said.
ASEC 2026 is regarded as one of Africa’s leading defence and security platforms, bringing together governments, industry leaders and international partners to develop practical responses to the continent’s security challenges.
