Qatar’s Barzan Holdings has mentioned it’s working to deepen defense partnership with Nigeria at the same time as considers alternatives to provide defense gear and develop industrial relationships.
Engineer Thamer Al Emadi, Regional General Manager for Africa at Barzan Holdings and Managing Director of Dicon Sur, disclosed this in an interview with Nairametrics on Tuesday, the primary day of AFRIDEX 2026 at Eko Atlantic City, Lagos.
According to him, Barzan mentioned had engaged Nigerian defence stakeholders to talk about attainable industrial, technological and industrial collaborations.
Barzan explores defence offers in Nigeria
Al Emadi mentioned Barzan Holdings was collaborating in AFRIDEX 2026 as a principal sponsor to interact Nigerian defence and safety leaders, alongside different regional companions.
The discussions lined potential gear provide, know-how switch and industrial partnerships to assist Nigeria’s defence necessities.
- “We are here at AFRIDEX to discuss Nigeria’s defence needs and explore how Barzan Holdings can support them through the supply of modern defence products and services, as well as potential industrial and technology partnerships,” Al Emadi mentioned.
He added that the corporate was open to creating options tailor-made to the necessities of the Nigerian Defence Forces.
Dicon Sur, which Al Emadi additionally leads, is a three way partnership between the Ministry of Defence of Qatar and the Ministry of Defence of Nigeria, working below the supervision of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The current three way partnership gives a foundation for cooperation between the 2 international locations’ defence institutions, whereas the most recent discussions level to attainable extra industrial and industrial collaboration.
Weapons, drones characteristic in Barzan talks
At AFRIDEX 2026, Barzan Holdings highlighted merchandise throughout its defence portfolio, together with the Q1 Corner rifle and its lately launched BIG556 rifles in 4.5-inch and 7-inch configurations. The firm mentioned the rifles had been designed and manufactured in Qatar.
Its wider portfolio additionally consists of unmanned aerial autos (UAVs), unmanned floor vessels and command-and-control programs supposed to assist surveillance, intelligence gathering and operational decision-making.
Barzan mentioned its discussions with Nigerian stakeholders lined 4 areas:
- Weapons and ammunition.
- Advanced know-how.
- Platforms.
- Services, assist and equipment.
Beyond gear provide, the corporate mentioned it might present coaching, upkeep, restore and overhaul, in addition to technical assist. These companies might kind a part of a broader industrial relationship past the acquisition of defence gear.
Al Emadi mentioned Barzan’s merchandise had been developed to meet worldwide high quality necessities, together with NATO requirements, and bear testing below completely different environmental situations. These embody excessive humidity, tropical situations and excessive temperatures, with temperatures in Qatar typically exceeding 50 levels Celsius throughout summer season.
Nigeria expands home defence manufacturing
Nigeria has continued to pursue worldwide defence partnerships to strengthen its safety capabilities, entry army gear and develop home defence manufacturing.
- In April 2026, Nairametrics reported that DICON signed a memorandum of understanding with the EIB Group for the home manufacturing of unmanned programs, army {hardware} and digital defence applied sciences.
The country has also pursued defence-related engagement with international partners, including the United States, European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States, involving army help, gear and safety cooperation.
These partnerships mirror Nigeria’s efforts to deal with safety challenges whereas increasing the position of home establishments in producing and sustaining army gear.
