US hosts Africa’s largest military exercise with over 5,000 troops from 40+ nations

More than 5,000 military personnel from over 40 countries have begun Exercise African Lion 2026, the largest annual joint military drill on the continent, as global powers deepen security cooperation across Africa amid rising geopolitical tensions.

• Over 5,000 military personnel from more than 40 countries have started Exercise African Lion 2026, the continent's largest annual joint military drill.
• The exercise, led by US AFRICOM, spans Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia from April 27 to May 8, aiming to boost interoperability and crisis response readiness.
• Training includes joint operations with US and African forces, logistics support, and advanced data-sharing using systems like Link-16.
• Drills encompass land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains, reflecting a focus on multi-domain warfare and deepening military ties among participants.

The exercise is led by United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), currently headed by U.S. Air Force General Dagvin R.M. Anderson, who assumed command on August 15, 2025, succeeding U.S. Marine Corps General Michael E. Langley.

Scheduled from April 27 to May 8, the exercises are taking place across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal and Tunisia, bringing together military forces, reserve units and more than 30 US-based industry partners, according to the BBC.

The initiative aims to strengthen “interoperability among participants and build readiness to respond to crises and contingencies in Africa and around the world”.

It comes as the United States seeks to reassert its presence on the continent following strained relations with several African governments in recent years.

Across parts of the Sahel, deteriorating ties with Western partners have pushed some countries to deepen security cooperation with Russia, while China has expanded its footprint through infrastructure investment and growing defence engagement.

At the same time, France, a former colonial power with long-standing military influence in West Africa, has seen its presence diminish, following troop withdrawals and the termination of defence agreements in countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger.

Multi-domain focus

The drills are being executed by US Army Southern European Task Force Africa and span land, air, maritime, space and cyber operations, reflecting a shift toward integrated, multi-domain warfare.

Around 100 US Air Force personnel, drawn from active-duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve units, are participating as part of what the service calls its “Total Force” approach.

“African Lion showcases the dynamic capabilities of our Total Force Airmen,” said Jason Hinds, adding that the drills are “a critical opportunity to enhance readiness” and improve coordination with African and international partners.

Operations on the ground

Training began in Tunisia, where US Marines are working with local special forces on deploying and recovering ground sensors in both daylight and low-light conditions.

Air Force Reserve units, including the 88th Aerial Port Squadron and the 514th Force Support Squadron, are supporting logistics operations alongside Moroccan forces.

Air National Guard units are conducting exercises across Morocco and Tunisia, while active-duty teams are handling communications and command simulations, including data-sharing via Link-16 systems.

Strategic backdrop

African Lion is AFRICOM’s flagship annual exercise and one of the largest military engagements on the continent, drawing NATO allies and partner nations.

Its scale highlights Africa’s growing role in global security calculations, as international powers compete for influence while seeking to strengthen response capabilities in a region facing persistent insurgencies and security threats.

With operations set to run through early May, the drills are expected to deepen defence ties while testing joint capabilities in complex, real-world scenarios.