The Turkish defense industry is preparing for one of its most significant international showcases as Bamako Expo (BAMEX’25) opens its doors tomorrow in Mali’s capital, Bamako. Running until November 14, the event marks the first time the fair will be held exclusively with Turkish companies’ direct participation, highlighting Türkiye’s expanding footprint in Africa’s defense and security landscape. The Bamako Exhibition and Convention Center has been reorganized specifically for the event, with final preparations now complete.

Organized by the Turkish company Prontaron Savunma (The Peak Defense), the fair has attracted substantial interest across the continent. The Malian government extended official invitations to more than 50 countries, primarily in Africa. High-level delegations have already begun arriving in Bamako, while African media describes BAMEX’25 as a “groundbreaking event” capable of bringing Türkiye’s latest defense technologies to the continent. The fair is expected to strengthen existing cooperation and pave the way for new strategic partnerships.

Over the four-day event, more than 35 decision-making delegations from African nations are expected to attend. Leading Turkish defense companies—including Baykar, ASELSAN, Roketsan, MKE, STM, Kalekalıp, Sarsılmaz, ESSAV, ZSR, Akıncılar, Hedef Defence and Akdaş Silah—will showcase their latest platforms and solutions under the coordination of the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB). Exhibits from the Sahel States Alliance (AES), comprising Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, along with booths from the Malian Armed Forces, will also be featured. A highlight of the fair will be the final two days, designated as “Demo Day,” during which foreign delegations will be able to test Turkish-made defense systems in a dedicated special operations field.

Mali’s geopolitical and security environment is a key reason behind the growing interest in Turkish defense solutions. The country faces internal and external security threats, vast and difficult-to-control borders and an urgent need for technologies such as UAVs, armored vehicles, radar systems, electro-optical solutions and mine/EOD clearance systems. Neighboring countries share similar challenges, making regional defense partnerships increasingly critical.

Past negative procurement experiences have driven many African nations to seek reliable, long-term defense partners. Türkiye has emerged as a preferred supplier thanks to its proven operational systems, competitive pricing, training support packages and rapid delivery capabilities. Turkish defense products—especially UAVs and armored vehicles—are already widely used across the continent. BAMEX’25 is expected to further strengthen this trend and open the door to new cooperative ventures.