EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The inaugural International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA) was held from 19 to 20 May 2025, bringing together policymakers, security and military leaders, and scholars from across Africa and beyond. The conference provided a high-level platform for dialogue on Africa’s evolving security and development priorities, grounded in the conviction that African-led solutions are key to sustainable progress.

ISCA 2025 emphasized the urgent need to strengthen governance, embrace emerging technologies, reclaim Africa’s global narrative, and accelerate regional integration. Strategic autonomy, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and independent media were also highlighted as key levers for safeguarding sovereignty and unlocking Africa’s potential.

The discussions reinforced a clear message: Africa must lead in shaping its own future. ISCA 2025 set the tone for a new era of cooperative security thinking rooted in unity, innovation, and self-reliance.

Monday, May 19 | from 11:00 a.m : OPENING CEREMONY

  • 11:00 am - 12:00 p.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

H.E Paul KAGAME

Guest of Honour

Amb Lt Gen (Rtd) Frank M. Kamanzi

Executive Secretary

H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat

Former African Union Commission Chairperson and Chairperson of the ISCA Advisory Council

Watch the recording

Monday, May 19 | from 12:00 p.m : Global Conflict Hotspots: Securing Africa in a Fragmented World

  • 12:00 p.m - 01:00 p.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

H.E Moussa Faki Mahamat

Former African Union Commission Chairperson and ISCA Chairperson of the Advisory Council

Victor Zhikai Gao

Vice President of Centre for China and Globalization

Amb Martin Kimani

President and CEO of The Africa Center in New York City

March Hecker

Deputy Director of IFRI

Moderator: Ms. Julie Gichuru

President and CEO, Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI)

Watch the recording

Monday, May 19 | from 01:00 p.m : Renforcer le Pouvoir de Négociation de l’Afrique

  • 01:00 p.m - 02:00 p.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

S.E Louise Mushikiwabo

La Secrétaire générale de la Francophonie

Watch the recording

Dr Nathalie Delapalme

Chief Executive Officer, Mo Ibrahim Foundation

Monday, May 19 | from 02:15 p.m : Private Military Companies and Foreign Military Bases: Implications for African Security and Sovereignty

  • 02:15 p.m - 03:15 p.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

Lt Gen (Rtd) Daniel Sidiki Traore

Former Force Commander MINUSCA

Murithi Mutiga

International Crisis Group (ICG) Programme Director for Africa

Dr Luka Biong Deng Kuol

Senior Research Fellow and Former Managing Director of the Sudd Institute

Dr Ashraf Afzal

Lecturer, Loughborough University

Moderator:Mr David F.K. Mpanga

Lawyer at AF Mpanga Advocates

Watch the recording

Tuesday, May 20 | from 09:00 a.m : Protecting Critical Infrastructure Against Cyber Threats

  • 09:00 a.m - 10:00 a.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

Hon Paula Ingabire

Minister of Information, Communication Technology and Innovation

Brig Gen (Rtd) MK Hadji Janev Metodi

Associate Professor of Law at the Military Academy General Mihailo Apostolski-Skopeji, Macedonia

Mr Noordin Haji

Director General of the National Intelligence Service-Kenya (NIS)

Moderator: Mr Chukwuemeka Fred Agbata

Technology Entrepreneur and Journalist

Watch the recording

Tuesday, May 20 | from 09:00 a.m : Global Media Narratives - The Cost of Misrepresenting Africa

  • 09:00 a.m - 10:00 a.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

Ms Ebba Kalondo

Former African Union Commission Spokesperson

Ms Moky Makura

Executive Director of Africa No Filter

Moderator: Ms Jackie Lumbasi

Media Personality

Watch the recording

Tuesday, May 20 | from 10:45 a.m : Africa’s Views on Deterrence – A Unique Approach

  • 10:45 a.m - 11:45 a.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

Lt Gen (Rtd) Adan K Mulata

Executive Chairman, Peace Prospect Institute-Africa (PPI-Africa)

Vice Admiral Mitko Petev

Advisor on Defence and Security Policy to the President of Bulgaria

Lt Gen (Rtd) Balla Keita

Former Force Commander, MINUSCA

Moderator: Emily Comfort Maractho

Associate Professor of Media Studies at Uganda Christian University

Watch the recording

Tuesday, May 20 | from 10:45 a.m : Critical Raw Materials and Supply Chain Warfare: Africa’s Role

  • 10:45 a.m - 11:45 a.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

Dr Donald Kaberuka

Chairman and Managing Partner of SouthBridge Group

Dr Zerbo Lassina

Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Rwanda Atomic Energy Board

Prof Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu

Inaugural President of the Africa School of Governance (ASG)

Dr Andrey Maslov

Director of the Center for African Studies & Coordinator of the e-Governance Knowledge Sharing Program, Russia

Moderator: Mr Joseph Warungu

Journalist, Radio One Africa

Watch the recording

Tuesday, May 20 | from 11:45 a.m : Building Trust for Intra African Investment

  • 11:45 a.m - 12:45 p.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

Prof Atif Mian

Professor of Economics, Princeton University

Mr Jean Guy Afrika

Chief Executive Officer of Rwanda Development Board

Moderator: Ms Fatmata Lovetta Sesay

Resident Representative of UNDP in Rwanda

Watch the recording

Tuesday, May 20 | from 02:00 p.m : Borderlands in crisis: security, identity, and marginalisation in Africa

  • 02:00 p.m - 03:00 p.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

H.E Adama Dieng

Former UN Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide

Dr Bojana Coulibaly

Researcher on Conflict Discourse, Aegis Trust

Mr Andrew Mwenda

Founder and Owner of the Independent

Dr Wafula Okumu

Executive Director of the Borders Institute (TBI)

Moderator: Sylvanus Wekesa

Research Associate with the African Leadership Centre (ALC) at King’s College London

Watch the recording

Tuesday, May 20 | from 03:00 p.m : Closing Remarks

  • 03:00 p.m - 04:00 p.m
  • Kigali Convention Centre
  • Room: Auditorium

Amb Lt Gen (Rtd) Frank M. Kamanzi

Executive Secretary

Watch the recording