Kigali will on Wednesday host the International Security Conference on Africa (ISCA), bringing together security officials, policymakers, researchers and experts from more than 50 countries to examine how emerging autonomous technologies are reshaping security on the continent.
The one-day conference, scheduled for August 12, 2026, will focus on the theme, “The Rise of Autonomous Technologies: Implications for Defence and Security in Africa.”
Participants will include senior military and security officials, policymakers, representatives of regional and international organisations, and research institutions.
Discussions will focus on the growing use of drones, artificial intelligence (AI) and other autonomous technologies and their implications for military operations, national security and regional stability.
ISCA Director-General Amb. Lt Gen (Rtd) Frank Mushyo Kamanzi said autonomous technologies are no longer a future prospect but are already changing the nature of security threats and military capabilities.
“Autonomous technology is no longer something that may happen in the future; it is already changing how security challenges emerge and how military capabilities are developed and deployed,” Kamanzi said.
He urged African countries to play a greater role in shaping the technological transformation by developing forward-looking policies, strengthening accountability and investing in local technological capacity and skills.
“ Africa must play a role in shaping this transformation by developing forward-looking policies, accountable governance, and investing in its own technology and the capacity of its people,” he said.
ISCA said falling technology costs, wider availability on commercial markets and the ability to adapt autonomous systems for different purposes have contributed to their growing use by state militaries, private military and security companies, and non-state groups.
The conference will feature two major discussions examining how autonomous technologies are changing Africa’s security environment, the opportunities and risks they create, emerging tensions between states and the legal frameworks governing their use.
Participants will also explore how African countries can accelerate efforts to develop domestic technological capabilities and reduce dependence on external technologies in the security sector.
The discussions are expected to contribute to policy recommendations aimed at helping African countries adopt autonomous technologies responsibly while safeguarding national sovereignty, strengthening regional cooperation and improving their ability to respond to emerging security threats.
The conference comes amid rapid advances in autonomous systems and AI, technologies that are increasingly influencing defence and security operations worldwide and raising questions around regulation, accountability and responsible use.
The previous ISCA conference was held in Rwanda on May 19-20, 2025.
