Mali: Bamako hosts the first Turkish-African defense exhibition (BAMEX)
Mali’s capital, Bamako, is preparing to host the very first edition of the Bamako Expo (BAMEX), an exhibition dedicated exclusively to the defense industry, from November 11 to 14, 2025. This landmark event, held under the high patronage of the Malian Presidency and the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection, marks a major step in the strategic partnership between Africa and Turkey in the security sector.
Organized by the Turkish company Prontaron Savunma Sanayi Organizasyon ve Dış Ticaret Ltd. Şti. (The Peak Defense), BAMEX will take place at the Bamako Exhibition and Demonstration Center (FEBAK). For this inaugural edition, participation will be limited to Turkish exhibitors, with a strong presence of leading defense giants such as Baykar, ASELSAN, and MKE, who will showcase their latest innovations.
BAMEX aims to stand out from other fairs held in Africa. Unlike past initiatives mainly focused on the civil sector, this event will bring together African decision-makers directly, including Heads of State, Defense Ministers, military experts, and high-level delegations. The goal is to create a strategic dialogue platform where security needs can find concrete solutions from industry players.
According to Harun Saraç, Chairman of the BAMEX Board, the ambition of the event goes beyond a simple exhibition. In addition to showcasing equipment, live demonstrations and field tests will allow African delegations to assess the actual performance of the proposed hardware. This gives the expo a practical and operational dimension rarely seen elsewhere on the continent.
BAMEX 2025 is therefore set to mark the beginning of a new era in Africa–Turkey defense cooperation.
