The United States has warned that Nigeria and other African countries are facing a more than sixfold rise in security threats in the last two years, citing a dramatic surge in illegal narcotics trafficking and human trafficking on the continent.

This is even as it listed Nigeria, Kenya and Côte d’Ivoire as key partners for its new technical assistance programme for bankable infrastructure in Africa, which would help the countries develop projects that attract U.S. participation.

Brigadier General Paul G. Filcek, Director of Logistics at U.S. AFRICOM, disclosed this during a digital press conference with African journalists on the ongoing 2026 Africa Logistics and Communications Symposium, co-hosted with the Ethiopian Ministry of Defence.

The 4-day symposium brought together delegates from 39 African nations and 27 private-sector partners under the theme “Forging Partnerships, Driving Innovation, and Enhancing Collective Readiness”.

“Across the African continent, we face growing and converging threats on our mutual security, safety and prosperity, human trafficking and a dramatic rise in illegal narcotics trafficking, now more than six times what it was just two years ago,” Gen. Filcek said.

He stressed that defeating the threats would require cooperation, coordination, reliable and effective communications as well as the ability to move personnel, equipment and supplies quickly across difficult terrain, often over great distances and challenging conditions.

For the first time, the symposium deliberately combined logistics and communications into a single conference, which Flicek described as a decisive edge in modern military operations.

Also speaking, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Middle East and Africa, Mark Mitchell, disclosed that the Departments of Commerce and State were working together on a project termed Technical Assistance for Bankable Infrastructure in Africa that supports African governments to develop bankable projects that can attract U.S. participation and deliver local value. “It’s a model designed to empower African partners rather than create dependency,” he said.

He cited U.S. investment partnerships with Nigeria, Kenya and Cote d’Ivoire as examples of Washington’s commitment to open, competitive and transparent markets that protect sovereignty and unlock innovation.

“Our work on commercial diplomacy, data governance and investment partnerships with countries such as Kenya, Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire reflect a commitment to fair regulatory environments that unlock innovation and protect sovereignty,” he said.

On what sets the U.S. apart from other global partners, Mitchell said Washington brings high-quality finance, trusted standards, risk mitigation tools that help move projects from concept to bankable reality.

He added that the U.S. partnership was rooted in long-term, enterprise-driven, not one-off transactions, with U.S. companies bringing world-class technology in logistics and communications that could help African nations build the security and stability needed for growth.

Mitchell also highlighted the Strategic Infrastructure Investment Working Group launched earlier this year by the U.S. State Department and the African Union, adding that the Department of Commerce was well-positioned to support it.

Addressing questions on technology, Mitchell said Artificial Intelligence could transform African logistics through route optimisation, predictive fleet maintenance and faster customs processing.

He stressed that real AI sovereignty for African countries means “owning and using best-in-class technology for the benefit of your people and nation,” rather than trying to build entire systems in isolation.

“Keep your data yours. American companies can build large, independent AI infrastructure with secure and robust supply chains that minimise backdoor risk, plus cryptographically protect confidentiality, and world-leading security to keep sensitive logistics and trade data within your borders and under your control,” he said.

Gen. Filcek said U.S. AFRICOM was assessing partner readiness through its A3I programme, which provides targeted military engagement to address urgent operational needs and expand capacity for independence and regional interoperability.

“The most significant advances will come through the acceleration of modular expeditionary capabilities… Investments in local supply chains, infrastructure and secure trade corridors will provide the most profound impact,” he added. (The Guardian)

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