The U.S. military has launched its largest-ever military exercise in Africa, African Lion 25, marking a significant milestone in the history of the exercise, which began in 2004. This year’s iteration, commencing on April 14, 2025, in Tunisia, with subsequent activities in Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco in May, involves over 10,000 troops from more than 40 nations, including seven NATO allies. African Lion has evolved into the U.S. military’s most significant exercise on the continent, reflecting the growing importance of multinational cooperation in addressing security challenges in Africa.
The exercise boasts an impressive roster of participants, including Benin, Brazil, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Egypt, France, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Kenya, Liberia, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain, The Gambia, Togo, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and the United States. Additionally, observer nations such as Algeria, Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, India, Qatar, Republic of Congo, and Turkey are present, underscoring the global interest in regional military collaboration.
African Lion 25 is designed to enhance interoperability among participating forces, strengthen military readiness, and build strategic partnerships through realistic, multi-domain training. The exercise covers a wide range of domains, including land, air, maritime, space, and cyber, all aimed at increasing security and stability across Africa. By fostering cooperation and shared understanding, the exercise seeks to create a more cohesive and effective response to potential crises.
The core events of African Lion 25 include field training exercises, airborne and amphibious operations, special operations forces activities, HIMARS rapid insertion (HIRAIN), humanitarian civic assistance, and medical readiness engagements. Notably, the exercise will test new capabilities such as integrated cyber defense training and the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW), showcasing the latest advancements in military technology and tactics.
Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, commanding general of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), emphasized the significance of the exercise, stating, “African Lion 25 is AFRICOM’s largest multinational, combined joint exercise in Africa. It demonstrates the capabilities of the total force by building strategic readiness and interoperability with our African partners and allies to deploy, fight, and win in a complex multi-domain environment.” This underscores the exercise’s role in not only enhancing military capabilities but also in strengthening diplomatic ties and promoting regional stability.
As African Lion 25 unfolds across Tunisia, Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco, it not only showcases the military prowess of the participating nations but also reinforces the U.S. commitment to enduring partnerships in Africa. By demonstrating the ability to respond to crises and deter threats through collective strength, the exercise promotes peace and stability on the continent. This year’s record participation and the inclusion of cutting-edge technologies underscore the exercise’s evolution since its inception in 2004, solidifying its status as the U.S. military’s most significant exercise in Africa.
