
The Sandton Symposium 2025:
Charting Africa's Defence & Sovereign Future
Transforming Continental Security Through Collective Leadership
Africa stands on the precipice of a new era, one defined by enhanced continental security and unwavering African sovereignty. The Ndege Group, Africa's Sovereign Development Trust (ASDT), is proud to announce and host a landmark Inter-Military Symposium in Sandton, Johannesburg, from 28th November 2025 — 3rd December 2025.
This pivotal event is poised to redefine Africa’s defence landscape, bringing together key military leadership to shape a self-reliant and secure future.This symposium is more than just a conference; it's a strategic convening where heads of African militaries will unite to take decisive control of their continent’s security destiny. It is a crucial step in the establishment of the United African Defence Force (UADF), an initiative championed by ASDT to foster regional stability and diminish reliance on external military interventions.
Key Objectives
& Agenda Highlights
The Sandton Symposium 2025 is meticulously designed to achieve tangible outcomes, with a particular focus on progressing a multilateral treaty draft that will decisively propel Africa forward. This pivotal document is intended to solidify the framework for enhanced continental security and a unified future. Key discussions and working sessions will centre on:
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Advancing the comprehensive multilateral treaty, meticulously drafted by ASDT, as the primary objective. This treaty is envisioned to be a cornerstone for the United African Defence Force (UADF) and a critical instrument for signatory to a unified African maritime border establishment, aimed for implementation by Q2 2026.
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Deliberating on secondment protocols, integration strategies, and operational readiness to ensure a cohesive and highly capable continental defence apparatus.
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Exploring avenues for advanced military training programmes, state-of-the-art equipment provisions (including aerial, surveillance, and navy equipment), and the development of sustainable training facilities across member nations.
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Discussing innovative models for defence sector investment, including barter agreements for goods and rights, to ensure mutually beneficial and sovereignty-aligned partnerships, drawing insights from recent discussions on Intra-Africa defence collaboration.
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Collaborative planning to proactively address complex and multifaceted security challenges, from persistent terrorism and regional instability to climate change-induced conflicts and sophisticated organised crime.
Who Should Attend:
This symposium is primarily by invitation to ensure focused and high-level strategic dialogue. Expected attendees include:
Heads of African Military Forces
Ministers of Defence and Security
Senior Officials from African Union (AU) Peace and Security Organs
Key Strategic Partners from International Defence and Development Organisations (e.g., The Africa Corps (REK), USAFRICOM, China's PLA, entities from the UK, US, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Russia).
RSVP
Participation in the Sandton Symposium 2025 is by invitation. If you are a Head of an African Military, a senior defence official, or a strategic international partner and wish to express your interest in attending this pivotal event, please complete the form below.
For more information on Africa’s Sovereign Development Trust (ASDT) and our overarching vision for the United African Defence Force (UADF), please visit our main UADF page. You can also reach out to us directly for general enquiries here.