More than 100 representatives from across Africa gathered in Tunis, Tunisia, to strengthen regional cooperation, border security and counterproliferation efforts through Africa Shield 2026.
Funded by the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) with the financial support of the European Union, Africa Shield was jointly organized by DTRA's International Counterproliferation Program (ICP) and UNICRI. The workshop reinforced practical implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004) by advancing coordinated action against evolving proliferation threats.
Strengthening regional action against proliferation risks
The illicit movement of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) materials and related dual-use goods continues to pose complex security challenges that transcend national borders. Preventing proliferation requires effective border management, strong institutional coordination and sustained regional cooperation.
To support these efforts, Africa Shield 2026 – Regional Counterproliferation Border Strategy Workshop was held in Tunis, Tunisia, from 14 to 16 July 2026. Building on the success of its inaugural edition in 2025, the workshop strengthened African countries' implementation of counterproliferation commitments, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), by reinforcing information-sharing, interagency coordination, border management and regional cooperation.
African leadership, regional cooperation
Africa Shield 2026 brought together more than 100 participants including law enforcement officials, border control and financial investigation agents. The workshop provided a platform for African authorities, together with regional and international partners, to exchange experiences, identify common capability gaps and strengthen cooperation against transnational proliferation threats.
From policy commitments to operational practice
Throughout the three-day programme, participants reinforced African leadership and ownership by promoting practical collaboration across borders while aligning national approaches with regional and international counterproliferation frameworks. They explored international good practices and practical approaches to strengthening border management and supply chain security, improving intelligence-sharing and incident response, reinforcing export controls for dual-use materials, advancing CBRN crime investigations, and disrupting financial networks that support proliferation activities through counterproliferation financing measures.
By translating policy commitments into coordinated operational action, the workshop strengthened participants' capacity to prevent, detect and respond to proliferation risks while enhancing interoperability and regional preparedness.
Building lasting partnerships
Africa Shield 2026 reaffirmed that effective counterproliferation depends on trusted partnerships, shared expertise and sustained cooperation. By strengthening professional networks and encouraging coordinated responses across institutions and borders, the workshop contributed to long-term regional resilience and advanced African-led solutions to shared security challenges.
The relationships and practical approaches developed during the workshop will continue to support cooperation among participating countries, reinforcing collective efforts to address evolving CBRN and proliferation risks across the continent.
To know more: EU CBRN Centres of Excellence - EU Global Threats Programme; U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency; UNICRI’s Threat Response and Risk Mitigation.