Africa-Press – Liberia. The three-day gathering, which is being held from August 5-7, 2025, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, has brought together top military and civilian leaders from 20 African countries.
For the first time in history, Liberia is hosting the West Africa Logistics Conference (WALC), a major regional security and defense summit co-organized by the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM).
The three-day gathering, which is being held from August 5-7, 2025, at the Farmington Hotel in Margibi County, has brought together top military and civilian leaders from 20 African countries. The conference focuses on boosting regional logistics coordination, improving military readiness, and expanding defense partnerships across West Africa.
‘Strategic Gathering’
Liberia’s Defense Minister, Geraldine George, called the conference a “critical platform” to strengthen cooperation within the ECOWAS region.
“This gathering underscores our collective commitment to enhancing regional security, boosting interoperability, and optimizing logistics across our armed forces,” she said. “In a time of evolving security threats—from transnational terrorism to humanitarian crises—logistics remains the backbone of effective military response.”
Minister George added that Liberia’s own experience with peacekeeping and security sector reform highlights the importance of preparedness, shared expertise, and regional collaboration. She said the presence of ECOWAS and other partners reaffirms a shared vision of a stable and prosperous West Africa.
‘Stronger Security and Commercial Ties
Representing the U.S. government, Charge d’Affaires Joseph E. Zadrozny praised the AFL and AFRICOM for hosting the event and reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to deepening regional security ties.
“This conference is more than just a meeting of minds; it’s a platform for action,” Zadrozny said. “The stakes are high—from the Gulf of Guinea to the Sahel, we face growing challenges. But by building stronger networks among like-minded nations, we are better positioned to counter threats and promote shared prosperity.”
He also emphasized the role of U.S. commercial diplomacy, noting the presence of U.S. industry leaders offering advanced defense and logistics solutions.
Brigadier General George Dietrich III, Director of Logistics (J4) at AFRICOM, stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling shared logistical hurdles.
“This conference provides a critical space for dialogue around improving logistics capabilities, enhancing interoperability, and securing regional supply chains,” he noted.
He said the WALC is a critical platform designed to address shared challenges and foster greater cooperation, adding that the conference is expected to cover key topics on the agenda-including strengthening logistics capabilities, enhancing interoperability among West African nations, and tackling shared concerns around supply chain security and sustainable procurement practices.
He also noted that the conference also aims to empower African partners and build a more robust, interconnected regional logistics network.
Ambassador Robert Scott, AFRICOM’s Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement, highlighted the economic potential of such partnerships.
“WALC goes beyond military strategy,” he said. “It also unlocks significant economic opportunities—creating new business avenues for U.S. companies while building stronger, more resilient partnerships with African nations.”
He said the event is now gaining momentum ensuring significant approach in logistic and security cooperation in West Africa, adding that the event highlights a deepening partnership focused on regional stability and security.
Looking Ahead
As the conference continues, participants are expected to develop frameworks for long-term collaboration on military logistics, regional stability, and sustainable procurement. Organizers say the outcomes will help shape the future of West African security and development.
About WALC
The West Africa Logistics Conference is a strategic regional forum aimed at enhancing military logistics cooperation, interoperability, and supply chain efficiency among West African nations and their international partners. The conference brings together military logisticians, civilian defense experts, policymakers, and industry leaders to address shared logistical challenges and explore opportunities for collaboration in support of peacekeeping, humanitarian response, and regional security operations.
It is typically co-hosted by AFRICOM in collaboration with the armed forces and defense ministries of participating host nations. The conference forms part of AFRICOM’s ongoing efforts to strengthen defense relationships and operational readiness across Africa through joint training, information sharing, and capacity building.
The conference covers a wide range of topics including regional logistics planning and coordination, defense transportation systems, supply chain resilience and sustainability, interoperability among ECOWAS and partner nations, crisis response and humanitarian logistics and ublic-private partnerships in defense logistics.
Each edition of WALC rotates among participating countries, giving host nations the opportunity to showcase their logistics capabilities and infrastructure while reinforcing regional ownership of security cooperation.
The year’s edition, which is being held in Liberia for the first time, marks a significant milestone in the country’s growing role in regional defense diplomacy and logistical leadership. With participation from over 20 African countries, this year’s conference also emphasizes Liberia’s post-conflict transformation and its strategic partnership with the United States and ECOWAS.
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