Matawalle in Egypt, Seeks Defence Industry Partnership, Technology Transfer
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has led a high-level Nigerian defence delegation on a two-day visit to key defence industry establishments in Egypt as part of efforts to deepen bilateral defence cooperation and strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous defence production capacity.
The visit focused on exploring sustainable industrial partnerships, technology transfer and opportunities to expand Nigeria’s long-term defence industrial capabilities.
The delegation comprised officials from the Ministry of Defence, Defence Headquarters, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Office of the National Security Adviser, Defence Intelligence Agency and a representative of the Director-General of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria.
On the first day of the visit, the delegation toured the manufacturing facilities of Eagle International for Defence Systems Company in Suez, where the Nigerian team examined defence systems and equipment produced by the Egyptian company.
The visit also provided an opportunity for the delegation to gain first-hand knowledge of Egypt’s defence manufacturing processes and expanding industrial capabilities.
Speaking during the tour, Matawalle described the visit as strategic and developmental rather than an immediate procurement exercise.
He said Nigeria was seeking to establish sustainable industrial cooperation with Egypt, particularly through DICON, to facilitate the joint manufacture of selected military equipment and systems.
According to the minister, such partnerships would strengthen Nigeria’s indigenous production capacity, develop specialised technical expertise, expand local content and facilitate the transfer of relevant defence technologies and industrial knowledge.
Nigeria, Egypt explore ammunition production
On the second day, the Nigerian delegation held high-level discussions with Egypt’s Ministry of Military Production in Cairo.
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The talks focused on areas of mutual interest, particularly the possibility of establishing an ammunition production line in Nigeria through structured technical and industrial cooperation.
Both sides expressed interest in advancing the proposed collaboration and working towards formal agreements that would provide the framework for its implementation.
The proposed partnership is consistent with Nigeria’s strategic objective of achieving greater self-reliance in critical defence production, reducing dependence on external sources and strengthening its capacity to meet the equipment and operational requirements of the Armed Forces.
The Ministry of Defence said the initiative was also part of the Federal Government’s broader efforts to develop a modern and sustainable military-industrial complex capable of supporting national security and economic development.
Focus on defence self-reliance
Matawalle has continued to emphasise the development of Nigeria’s indigenous defence industrial base in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Federal Government’s defence industrialisation strategy seeks to enhance national defence self-reliance, promote indigenous innovation and technological development, create economic opportunities and strengthen the country’s capacity to produce critical military equipment locally.
The Ministry said the Egyptian visit represented another step towards translating those objectives into practical partnerships capable of delivering measurable improvements in Nigeria’s defence industrial capacity.
It expressed appreciation to the Egyptian authorities for the reception and constructive engagements during the visit, saying the emerging areas of cooperation could deliver long-term strategic benefits to both countries.
The ministry said further engagements with relevant Egyptian defence institutions would continue towards developing concrete frameworks for bilateral defence cooperation, technology and knowledge transfer, and the establishment of a more self-reliant and technologically advanced Nigerian defence industrial base.
By PRNigeria
