Former Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai, advocated for African nations to prioritize the development of their own defence technologies. Speaking at the International Security Conference on Africa in Kigali, Rwanda, he stressed reducing reliance on imported military systems. Buratai warned that dependence on foreign arms creates vulnerabilities and hinders true security independence. He believes indigenous capacity building is crucial for proactively addressing future conflicts on the continent. The retired General emphasized that self-sufficiency in defence is not merely about manufacturing weapons, but fostering a robust technological ecosystem. This move, he argued, would allow Africa to better respond to evolving security challenges tailored to its specific needs, and maintain a strategic advantage in future warfare. Ultimately, Buratai’s message centers on the necessity of African ownership and control of its own security destiny.