This year, the maritime security exercise returns to the country where it was first launched 15 years ago. Sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and conducted by the U.S. Navy Sixth Fleet, the drills run from April 13 through May 1. The 2026 event involves a broad coalition of 31 nations from Africa, Europe, and South America.
The opening ceremony took place in Cameroon, marking a shift back to Central Africa after the 2022 iteration ended on March 18 in Senegal. Previous host locations include Gabon in 2024 and Lagos, Nigeria, in 2023.
Participating forces will focus on combined maritime law enforcement and information sharing. The exercise provides a platform for navies to test ship-to-shore communications and coordinate between various maritime operation centers. These activities are designed to mimic real-world threats like piracy, illegal fishing, and smuggling.
The 2026 participant list remains extensive, including regional powers such as Nigeria, Morocco, and Ghana, as well as international partners such as France, Brazil, and the Netherlands. Notably, the Namibian Navy previously demonstrated the exercise’s scale in 2022 by deploying the NS Elephant, its largest vessel, with a crew of 104. This shows the level of resource commitment African nations bring to the event.
Technical training focuses on the Yaoundé Architecture for Maritime Security. This framework is a regional code of conduct that divides the West African coast into five zones to better manage maritime safety.
A report from the U.S. Naval Forces Africa on April 28, 2026, shows that training modules include visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) techniques. These VBSS drills are practical requirements for crews operating in the Gulf of Guinea. Sailors practice boarding suspect vessels under realistic conditions to improve their speed and safety during inspections. Effective boarding operations require high levels of interoperability between different national units.
The exercise also emphasizes maritime domain awareness (MDA) technology. This involves using radar, satellite data, and AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracking to build a clear picture of ship movements. Modern piracy often relies on “dark” vessels that turn off transponders, making MDA training essential for detection.
U.S. Sixth Fleet Vice Commander Rear Adm. Jason Naidyhorski spoke at the opening regarding the economic stakes. He noted that nearly 90% of global trade travels by sea, making the stability of these waters a “shared strategic interest.” Free maritime trade is a primary driver for regional prosperity.
Chargé d’Affaires to Cameroon John G. Robinson noted that U.S. support for Cameroon includes specific programming for equipment and education. He explained that Obangame Express is “fundamentally about strengthening those partnerships” between regional neighbors. He added that equipment alone cannot solve security challenges without effective cooperation.
The exercise serves as a major test for the regional coordination centers established under the Yaoundé Code of Conduct. These centers must communicate across borders to track suspect vessels as they move from one national jurisdiction to another. Improving this hand-off process reduces the “legal gaps” that criminals often exploit.
Operations in the Gulf of Guinea face unique challenges, including the vast geographic area and varying levels of naval hardware among participants. By standardizing communication protocols, the exercise helps smaller navies work seamlessly with larger partner fleets. This collective approach is intended to lower the cost of security for individual nations.
Logistical coordination for such a large event is managed from the U.S. Sixth Fleet headquarters in Naples, Italy. The fleet oversees a spectrum of joint operations intended to advance stability across Europe and Africa. The 2026 iteration reflects a steady recovery in training frequency after the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the global pandemic.
The exercise also integrates air assets to provide overwatch for surface vessels. Aerial maritime patrol aircraft can scan thousands of square miles, vectoring patrol boats toward suspicious targets. This multi-domain approach is a key part of the “interoperability” goals mentioned by exercise planners.
As the exercise nears its May 1 conclusion, focus will shift toward a final evaluation of the sea-based scenarios. Results from these drills typically inform the procurement priorities for West African navies in the coming year. Future planning for the 16th iteration is expected to begin shortly after the fleet disperses.