Academic Program
August 19–22, 2025
Rabat, Morocco
English | Français
Program Overview
Presented by:
- Dr. Joel Amegboh
Session 1
Africa’s Shifting Security Landscape: Challenges and Opportunities
Presented by:
- Dr. Daisy Muibu
Assistant Professor of Security Studies, Africa Center for Strategic Studies - Major General Julius Osifo
Commandant, Nigeria Army School of Finance and Administration
Objectives:
- Propose actionable strategies to address key challenges in security sector governance in Africa, including terrorism, organized crime, and resource-related conflicts.
- Recommend practical measures to strengthen security institutions with emphasis on accountability, resource management, and institutional coordination.
Session 2
Trends in Resources Availability and Security Sector Expenditure
Presented by:
- Dr. Nan Tian
Senior Researcher and Programme Director for the Military Expenditure and Arms Production Programme, SIPRI - Dr. Raymond Gilpin
Chief Economist and Head of the Strategy, Analysis and Research Team at the Regional Bureau for Africa, UNDP
Objectives:
- Propose strategies to optimize security budgets by analyzing spending trends and addressing the key political, economic, and social drivers shaping security sector expenditure in Africa.
- Suggest actionable solutions to improve the use of security sector resources, focusing on enhancing security outcomes, reducing waste, increasing transparency, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Session 3
Aligning Security Sector Resources with National Security Strategies
Presented by:
- Dr. Joel Amegboh
Assistant Professor for African Security Studies, Africa Center for Strategic Studies - Dr. Fairlie Chappuis
Independent Consultant
Objectives:
- Propose effective strategies to align national security objectives with available resources (internal and external) to maximize impact.
Session 4
Strategic Planning, Budgeting, and Resource Mobilization
Presented by:
- Major General Julius Osifo
Commandant, Nigeria Army School of Finance and Administration - Mr. Taoufik M’Hammdi
Head of Budget and Accounting Division, National Defense Administration
Objectives:
- Propose effective systems and approaches for strategic planning and budgeting in Africa’s security sector, demonstrating how these processes link to national security strategies.
- Recommend institutional reforms and practical measures to enhance revenue mobilization, ensuring sustainable funding and effective resource management for the security sector.
Session 5
Public Expenditure Management in the Security Sector
Presented by:
- Dr. Luka Biong Deng Kuol
Distinguished Adjunct Professor, Africa Center for Strategic Studies - Dr. Paul Dunne
Professor Emeritus, University of Cape Town
Objectives:
- Introduce the concepts of Public Expenditure Management (PEM), its linkages with Public Expenditure Policy (PEP) and Public Financial Management (PFM), and propose desired outcomes for effective PEM in the security sector.
- Recommend the implementation of Public Expenditure Reviews (PER) as a practical tool to improve PEM effectiveness and ensure better alignment of security sector resources.
Session 6
Security Sector Oversight Mechanisms and Institutions
Presented by:
- Dr. Catherine Lena Kelly
Director of Engagement, Africa Center for Strategic Studies - Mr. Edison Odhiambo
Fiscal Analyst, Parliamentary Budget Office of Kenya
Objectives:
- Propose actionable strategies to strengthen oversight mechanisms and improve information flow between civilian authorities and military officials to enhance security sector performance.
- Recommend policy interventions to build institutional capacity and develop robust frameworks for effective civilian-led governance and accountability in the security sector.
Session 7
Building External Partnerships for National Security
Presented by:
- Ms. Amanda Dory|
Director, Africa Center for Strategic Studies - Dr. Luka Biong Deng Kuol
Distinguished Adjunct Professor, Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Objectives:
- Propose strategies for African governments to assert leadership and define priorities in security partnerships, ensuring alignment with national and regional goals.
- Recommend approaches to enhance Africa’s contributions through strategic vision, regional cooperation, and institutional capacity to shape more effective and equitable international security collaboration.