Senior US military officials joined counterparts from 40 countries in Rabat for the fourth annual African Maritime Forces Summit (AMFS 2026), calling for deeper partnerships and expanded innovation to counter growing threats at sea.
The summit, held under the banner “Innovation and Partnership to Enhance Maritime Security,” opened as part of a partnership between Morocco’s Royal Armed Forces and US Naval Forces Europe-Africa and US Marine Forces Europe-Africa.
It brought together military leaders from 40 African nations along with officials from countries allied with both Morocco and the United States.
Organizers said the gathering aims to support regional security solutions, create a platform for dialogue among African naval leaders, and help integrate new technology into maritime operations.
Admiral George Wikoff, commander of US Naval Forces Europe and Africa, said maritime security today depends on partnership and innovation. He said threats including terrorism, piracy, smuggling, attacks on commercial shipping, illegal fishing and pollution carry serious regional and global consequences, and called for integrating policy, sensors and surveillance systems to close gaps exploited by bad actors.
General Daniel Shipley, commander of US Marine Forces Europe and Africa, noted that Morocco was the first country to recognize US independence, calling the relationship a foundation for the cooperation on display at the summit.
He said Africa’s roughly 19,000 miles of coastline and strategic waterways carry a third of the world’s maritime shipping, making the continent’s waters central to both regional stability and global trade.