AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa

From August 4-6, 2025, DTRA's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), in partnership with the EU CBRN CoE and UNICRI, hosted the AFRICA SHIELD 2025 Regional Counterproliferation Workshop in Rabat, Morocco. This inaugural workshop brought together nearly 100 participants from across the African continent, representing law enforcement, military, policy, and UNSCR-1540 national-level coordination.

By Jessica Lewis , Defense Threat Reduction Agency Rabat, Morocco Aug 25, 2025

View Gallery

AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa

Gallery contains 7 images

From August 4-6, 2025, DTRA's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP), in partnership with the EU CBRN CoE and UNICRI, hosted the AFRICA SHIELD 2025 Regional Counterproliferation Workshop in Rabat, Morocco. This inaugural workshop brought together nearly 100 participants from across the African continent, representing law enforcement, military, policy, and UNSCR-1540 national-level coordination.

The workshop focused on enhancing cooperation and building capacity to counter the proliferation of WMD and related materials. Participants engaged in discussions on international best practices, shared information on key programs and initiatives, and explored ways to strengthen counterproliferation efforts across the region.

Key topics covered included: • Border Management and Supply Chain Security: Addressing challenges such as regional smuggling by non-state actors, border crossing control procedures, and the secure transportation and storage of illicit goods and dual-use items. • Intelligence Flow and Incident Response Management: Improving information sharing and coordination to effectively respond to potential WMD/CBRN incidents. • Export Controls and Dual-Use Technologies: Strengthening regulatory frameworks and enforcement mechanisms to prevent the illicit transfer of sensitive materials. • CBRN Crime Investigation and Counter-Proliferation Financing: Developing specialized investigative skills and disrupting financial networks that support proliferation activities.

AFRICA SHIELD 2025 provided a valuable platform for participants to broaden their knowledge, identify regional capability gaps, and forge connections with fellow counterproliferation professionals.

This workshop underscores DTRA's ongoing commitment to partnering with African nations to strengthen global security and counter the threat of WMD proliferation. We extend our thanks to all participants and partners for their contributions to a successful event.

Training program with Defense Threat Reduction Agency readies Senegal for regional emergency response role

U.S. Forces Conduct Strike Targeting ISIS-Somalia

Marshall Center fellows visit U.S. Africa Command to prepare for leadership roles

Exercise Cutlass Express 2026 to Enhance Maritime Security in East Africa

U.S. Forces Conduct Strikes Targeting al-Shabaab

defense threat reduction agency

DTRA

Building Partner Capacity

U.S.-Kenyan partnership advances security cooperation

Members from U.S. Africa Command joined U.S. AFRICOM senior leadership, U.S. Air Force Gen. Dagvin Anderson, commander, U.S. AFRICOM; and U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Garric Banfield, command senior enlisted leader, U.S. AFRICOM; U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau; Chargè d’Affaires Susan Burns; and Kenyan Defence and state officials at the construction site for a new runway expansion and airfield infrastructure project Jan. 29, 2026, in Manda Bay, Kenya. Fostered as an opportunity to further enhance counterterrorism and security cooperation efforts between the partner defense forces, this project also strengthens Kenyan military’s operational capacity, presence, and capability.

U.S. Africa Command cross-functional team visits Democratic Republic of the Congo

A cross-functional team from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) traveled to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) Jan. 20-23 to meet with leaders from the Armed Forces of the DRC (FARDC) and explore ways to enhance security cooperation efforts.

AFRICOM delegation visits Côte d'Ivoire to deepen logistic cooperation

Logisticians from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Côte d’Ivoire to advance the logistics and training capabilities of the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FACI) Dec. 1-4, 2025.

U.S.-Kenyan partnership advances security cooperation

U.S. Africa Command cross-functional team visits Democratic Republic of the Congo

AFRICOM delegation visits Côte d'Ivoire to deepen logistic cooperation

Logisticians from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Côte d’Ivoire to advance the logistics and training capabilities of the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FACI) Dec. 1-4, 2025.

U.S.-Kenyan partnership advances security cooperation

U.S. Africa Command cross-functional team visits Democratic Republic of the Congo

AFRICOM delegation visits Côte d'Ivoire to deepen logistic cooperation

Logisticians from U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) visited Côte d’Ivoire to advance the logistics and training capabilities of the Armed Forces of Côte d’Ivoire (FACI) Dec. 1-4, 2025.

United States Africa Command

AFRICA SHIELD 2025: Strengthening Counterproliferation Efforts Across Africa

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Defense Threat Reduction Agency

Defense Threat Reduction Agency