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Rabat is hosting this year's African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS 2026), taking place from July 20 to 24. Organized by the Royal Moroccan Navy in partnership with U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa (NAVAF) and U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa (MARFORAF), the summit places innovation and maritime security at the center of its agenda.
According to the organizers, discussions are structured around three themes: national policy innovation through interministerial coordination, cooperation with neighboring countries and international partners, and technological innovation in maritime security.
The summit aims to identify shared challenges and strengthen maritime security through greater cooperation and capacity building across the continent. A new feature of this year's edition is the introduction of interactive workshops based on real-world scenarios, allowing participants to anticipate and discuss national responses to emerging threats.
Addressing shared challenges
Speaking at a press briefing, Rear Admiral Mohamed Tahin, Inspector of the Royal Moroccan Navy within the Royal Armed Forces (FAR), said the summit reflects «Morocco's unwavering commitment to promoting African cooperation, strengthening regional stability and intensifying collective efforts in support of peace and maritime security».
«The discussions focus on innovation, regional cooperation and the integration of emerging technologies, with a view to strengthening collective capabilities and improving responses to shared challenges, including maritime security, maritime domain awareness, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, maritime trafficking, terrorism, irregular migration and environmental protection», he said.
Tahin described maritime security as «a fundamental responsibility and a strategic priority» that can only be achieved through sustained dialogue, mutual trust, coordinated action and effective partnerships.
«We are convinced that this summit will strengthen cooperation between African maritime forces and their international partners, promote the exchange of best practices, and help build a safer, more secure and more prosperous maritime future for Africa», he added.
Highlighting the significance of this year's summit, NAVAF Commander Admiral George Wikoff said maritime security directly affects «lawful trade, food security, regional stability and the daily lives of communities that depend on the safety of Africa's waterways».
«AMFS brings together African maritime leaders, Morocco, the United States and international partners to tackle challenges that no nation can solve alone: piracy, illegal fishing, trafficking, smuggling, terrorism and transnational crime», he said, noting that such threats «cross borders, affect economies and require cooperation between nations, services and agencies».
The objective, he added, is to «shape lasting solutions» by strengthening leadership and partnerships.
«Our role is to strengthen relationships and help develop capable, professional partners who can respond to crises, secure their maritime approaches and work with neighboring countries when threats cross borders», Wikoff said.
Morocco-U.S. cooperation in action
Morocco is hosting this year's summit amid growing momentum to strengthen both African maritime cooperation and defense ties with the United States. The partnership between Rabat and Washington has expanded steadily in recent years, encompassing a broad range of military cooperation.
Since the launch of the Atlantic Initiative during the latest edition of the African Lion military exercise, Morocco has also accelerated efforts to develop a domestic defense industry, with potential implications for several branches of the armed forces, including the navy. Discussions on this issue are also part of the summit, according to Ben Ziff, chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Rabat.
Responding to a question from Yabiladi, Ziff said Morocco's defense industrial base is «a major element in discussions on military cooperation» between the two countries.
«With the Moroccan government, we regularly discuss opportunities for co-production, job creation for Moroccans, and strengthening Morocco's ecosystem for defense manufacturing and other industries», he said.
«We are constantly exploring new avenues of cooperation to meet our respective needs. Morocco is a partner of choice, with a significant industrial base. In practical terms, this means sharing our capabilities to strengthen security for all of us».
This growing partnership aligns with the broader objectives of AMFS 2026, which is also hosting the Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference (SEL). The conference provides a forum for senior maritime leaders to deepen cooperation, advance areas of common interest and exchange innovative approaches to maritime security.
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