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By Philip Nwosu
Qatar’s defence industry is seeking to strengthen its partnership with Nigeria through joint ventures, advanced military technologies and potential business opportunities aimed at addressing emerging security threats across Africa.
Engineer Thamer Alimadi, Regional General Manager for Africa at Barzan Holdings and Managing Director of DICON-SUR, disclosed this during an interview at the Africa International Defence Exhibition (AFRIDEX), 2026, where he highlighted the company’s commitment to expanding cooperation with the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Alimadi described DICON-SUR as a joint venture involving Qatar’s Ministry of Defence and Nigeria’s Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON), expressing pride in the partnership between the two countries.
He explained that Barzan Holdings serves as the defence investment and industry arm of Qatar’s Ministry of Defence, with a portfolio covering small arms, advanced surveillance technologies, drones and counter-drone systems.
According to him, the company is exploring several potential business opportunities with Nigeria’s military services, although he did not disclose specific contracts or confirmed equipment sales during the interview.
“There is a potential. Other than our joint venture that we are really proud of, we have a lot of potential business opportunities that we are working closely with the different forces in Nigeria,” Alimadi said.
Focus on emerging security threats
The Barzan Holdings executive said the company was aware of the security challenges confronting Nigeria and other African countries and was working to develop solutions that could meet the operational requirements of the Nigerian military.
He noted that the company had received requirements from Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence and was exploring ways to provide appropriate technological solutions.
Alimadi expressed confidence that the company’s products could support military operations against contemporary security threats, including those requiring advanced surveillance and counter-drone capabilities.
He stressed, however, that the company’s approach extended beyond equipment sales to building a long-term strategic relationship with Nigeria.
“We are not coming here to sell. We are coming here to cooperate,” he said.
“We consider Nigeria as a partner country and a friendly country of ours.”
His remarks highlight the potential for increased defence-industrial cooperation between Nigeria and Qatar as African countries seek technological solutions to evolving security challenges.
Barzan Holdings offers a range of defence products and technologies, including pistols, rifles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surveillance drones, interceptors and counter-drone systems, according to Alimadi.
These technologies are increasingly relevant to modern military operations, particularly in surveillance, intelligence gathering, threat detection and the protection of military installations against hostile unmanned aircraft.
However, Alimadi did not identify specific weapon models during the interview when asked about the company’s light-weapons manufacturing portfolio.
He indicated that further details could be provided during a physical inspection of the company’s displayed equipment.
The interview did not establish whether any of the company’s drones, firearms or other defence systems had already been purchased by the Nigerian military.
A major focus of Alimadi’s remarks was the potential to deepen the relationship between Barzan Holdings and Nigeria through DICON-SUR.
The joint venture represents a framework for defence-industry collaboration between the two countries, with potential opportunities for industrial cooperation and the development of local capabilities.
For Nigeria, partnerships involving the domestic defence industry could support efforts to strengthen indigenous manufacturing, improve technical expertise and reduce reliance on imported military equipment, depending on the projects undertaken and the terms of cooperation.
Alimadi said Barzan Holdings was interested in expanding its engagement across Nigeria’s military services, specifically mentioning the Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Army.
He described strengthening cooperation with the country’s defence forces as a major objective of the company’s participation in the exhibition.
The proposed expansion of cooperation comes as Nigeria continues to confront multiple security challenges and seeks capabilities suited to the changing nature of warfare.
Advanced surveillance systems, unmanned aircraft and counter-drone technologies have become increasingly important to military planning worldwide, creating opportunities for defence companies to work with governments seeking to modernise their armed forces.
Alimadi’s comments signal Barzan Holdings’ interest in positioning itself as a long-term partner to Nigeria’s defence establishment.
Nevertheless, the scale of future cooperation will depend on the outcome of ongoing discussions, the specific requirements of Nigeria’s armed forces and any agreements subsequently reached.
