Africa Shield: Securing Development
· news
The Shadow in Africa’s Growth: Securing Development Without Slowing Down
The recent Africa Shield 2026 Regional Counterproliferation Workshop in Tunis highlighted a pressing concern for African governments: securing sensitive materials used in development without stifling growth. As the continent industrializes, expands its healthcare systems, and advances technologically, it becomes increasingly clear that these same materials can pose security risks if not properly managed.
The focus on chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) security marks a welcome shift from traditional emphasis on armed groups and conflict. It acknowledges that Africa’s growth is not just about economic expansion but also ensuring sustainable and secure development. However, balancing security with progress proves challenging.
Over 100 participants from across Africa attended the workshop, including law enforcement officials, military representatives, policymakers, and national coordinators responsible for implementing UNSC Resolution 1540. The event demonstrated growing recognition that CBRN security is both a technical issue and a governance challenge requiring cooperation, coordination, and capacity building.
The discussions at Africa Shield highlighted the practical challenge of ensuring systems protecting sensitive materials keep pace with industries and services relying on them. Governments must take a proactive approach to preventing vulnerabilities before they are exploited, rather than solely responding to CBRN incidents after they occur. This means strengthening border controls, export monitoring, emergency preparedness, and closer coordination between agencies.
The success of Africa Shield will depend on whether governments can translate these efforts into stronger institutions and more effective enforcement. Many African countries have legal frameworks regulating chemicals, radioactive materials, and strategic trade, but implementation is uneven. Authorities often face shortages of funding, specialized personnel, and modern equipment needed to inspect shipments, monitor facilities, and investigate possible violations.
The expansion of trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area adds complexity to this challenge. Governments must strengthen security measures without undermining the trade and investment that the agreement aims to promote. This balancing act requires a nuanced understanding of the interplay between security and development.
As Africa continues to grow, governments must acknowledge the shadow cast by sensitive materials. By prioritizing CBRN security and working towards stronger institutions, better coordination, and more effective enforcement, they can ensure growth is both economic and sustainable. The success of Africa Shield will be a crucial test of this commitment.
Tunisia’s hosting of the workshop underscored the regional nature of the challenge. Positioned between North Africa, the Mediterranean, and the Sahel, the country sits at the intersection of major trade and transport routes. As these networks become more interconnected, corridors facilitating commerce can also be exploited to move chemicals, radioactive sources, and other controlled materials across borders.
The workshop’s focus on partnerships with African governments and international organizations reflects a shift in international security cooperation. External partners are increasingly focusing on strengthening national institutions and capabilities rather than creating dependency. This approach acknowledges that true progress lies not in external support but in building the capacity of local authorities to manage their own development.
Ultimately, Africa Shield is about ensuring growth is inclusive, sustainable, and secure for all. As governments navigate the complex web of CBRN security, they must address underlying governance challenges creating vulnerabilities around the diversion and unauthorized movement of controlled materials.
The success of Africa Shield will be a crucial benchmark for African governments as they strive to balance development with security. It’s time for them to step up their efforts and demonstrate that growth can indeed be secured without slowing down.
Reader Views
- CSCorrespondent S. Tan · field correspondent
The Africa Shield workshop's emphasis on CBRN security is welcome, but it's imperative that African governments don't lose sight of the economic drivers behind their growth. Securing sensitive materials will undoubtedly have a cost, which could slow down industries and hinder progress if not managed carefully. What's missing from this narrative is the acknowledgment that the continent's development strategies must also account for the human factor – local populations' perception of security measures and their impact on community trust.
- CMColumnist M. Reid · opinion columnist
Africa's rapid industrialization poses a paradox: securing sensitive materials used in development while preventing their misuse. The Africa Shield workshop highlights this challenge, but governments must do more than just attend seminars and workshops – they need to invest in infrastructure that can keep pace with growth. This means building physical security facilities for CBRN materials, upgrading transportation networks, and training personnel to handle emergency situations. Until African nations commit significant resources to these efforts, the risk of exploitation will remain high.
- EKEditor K. Wells · editor
While the Africa Shield workshop is a step in the right direction, we must consider the elephant in the room: the economic disparities between African nations. How can some countries implement robust CBRN security measures when they struggle to meet basic development needs? Strengthening border controls and export monitoring may be useful in preventing illicit trade, but it's essential to address the underlying issues of inequality and lack of resources that make African states vulnerable to CBRN exploitation in the first place.