Africa‘s military development landscape is changing in 2025 due to an emphasis on training Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs), who are the foundation of any successful armed forces. The 7th annual African Senior Enlisted Leader Conference (ASELC), hosted in Rabat, Morocco, and the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS), hosted in Accra, Ghana, have presented the role of the NCO in developing military readiness, the development and execution of leadership roles, and operational success.
The ASELC and ALFS were sponsored by U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM), and the U.S. The National Guard also demonstrated continued development of partnerships and cooperation in military matters between African militaries and the American military to establish resilient, adaptive, and transformative forces.
I recently had the pleasure of speaking at the African Senior Enlisted Leaders Conference in Africa. In a region where security threats, partner needs, and geopolitical dynamics shift rapidly, the National Guard’s adaptability ensures it remains a flexible and responsive tool for… pic.twitter.com/pCfoYTZIYL
— SEA John Raines (@NGB_SEA) June 20, 2025
The Central Role of NCOs in African Militaries
NCOs: The Foundation of Military Effectiveness
Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) are the necessary linchpin between commissioned officers and enlisted personnel since their roles are primarily concerned with training, discipline, and ensuring proper execution of missions. Command Sgt. Maj. Chad Harness, Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force Africa (SETAF-AF), remarked during ALFS 2025:
“Noncommissioned officers are the essential foundation of armed forces, functioning as the vital connection between commissioned officers and enlisted personnel. They embody the discipline, competence, and leadership required to prepare units for combat.”
Noncommissioned Officers are not just tactical professionals; they are mentors, trainers, and leaders who embody the culture and effectiveness of their respective teams.
Challenges and Opportunities in Africa
African militaries face complicated issues, which create even greater challenges to professionalizing an NCO corps. For instance, African militaries lack resources, function within very different environments, while facing emerging security challenges such as terrorism and transnational crime. Developing a capable professionalized NCO corps is essential to address these pressing challenges and achieve operational success.
Key Conferences and Initiatives in 2025
African Senior Enlisted Leader Conference (ASELC)
More than 130 senior enlisted executives from 30 nations, including those in Africa and the US, attended ASELC, which took place in Rabat, Morocco, from June 10–12, 2025. The conference was framed by the theme: Resilient, adaptive, transformative, and included sharing best practices, common challenges, and multilateral partnerships.
Dr. Jason “JW” Womack, Senior Director for Organizational Engagement and Leader Development for the U.S. Space Force, provided a keynote address entitled The Seven Principles of Individual and Organizational Strength. He underscored the necessity of connecting personal growth to business effectiveness, where self-awareness, purpose, and social connectedness were reinforced so that individual growth and development were aligned with mission effectiveness.
During the ASELC, participants had panels on African Leadership 2030 and the future of African enlisted development, with the considerations and approach of building cohesive, high-performing teams to realize this end state.
African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) and Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF)
ALFS 2025, held April 7–10 in Accra, Ghana, gathered senior military leaders from over 40 countries. The Senior Enlisted Leaders Forum (SELF), a specialized component of ALFS, focused on NCO leadership development, professional education, and career progression.
- SETAF-AF led sessions on developing a five-year NCO development plan, emphasizing training at tactical, operational, and strategic levels.
- Ghana Army Master Warrant Officer Ansah Yeboah, Sgt. Maj. of the Army, Ghana Armed Forces, highlighted the benefits of joint training with the U.S., stating:
“Every time we’ve had an opportunity to do these types of events or train alongside the U.S., it has benefited us greatly.” - During many of the conversations at the conference, the officer-NCO partnership was recognized as a considerable factor for improving unit efficiency and mission accomplishment.
U.S.-Africa Military Partnership: Strengthening Through Collaboration
National Guard and SETAF-AF Engagement
The role of the U.S. National Guard and the role of SETAF-AF in supporting the militaries of Africa can be key through training, mentorship, and joint exercises. SEA John Raines, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, addressed the potential of the officer-NCO partnership in his keynote at the ASELC.
- The National Guard’s involvement fosters enduring relationships that enhance leadership development and operational readiness.
- SETAF-AF focuses on preparing forces, crisis response, and strategic competition aligned with AFRICOM’s objectives.
Multinational Exercises and Training
Exercises like African Lion 25, hosted across Morocco, Ghana, Senegal, and Tunisia, provide practical platforms for interoperability and capability building among African and U.S. forces. These events reinforce the lessons and leadership principles discussed at ASELC and ALFS.
Leadership Development: Visionary Frameworks and Future Directions
Dr. Jason Womack’s Leadership Principles
Dr. Womack’s keynote at ASELC introduced a visionary framework for leadership development, emphasizing that individual growth and organizational strength must develop in tandem. His seven principles focus on:
- Self-awareness
- Alignment with purpose
- Social connection
These elements help to create resilient leaders who can effectively work in ambiguous and changing environments, without sacrificing their values for organizational political needs.
African Leadership 2030 and Beyond
The panels at ASELC provided thoughtful perspectives on the future of African militaries, including ethical futures, yet emphasized the critical nature of continued professional development and mentorship, remaining constantly aware of shifting clarities of purpose, all against a backdrop of African militaries trying to keep up with emerging security environments.
The Strategic Importance of NCO Development
Enhancing Military Readiness and Effectiveness
A professional and empowered NCO corps transforms doctrine into action, turning tAs described at ASELC, an effective and empowered NCO corps mediates the continuum from doctrine to action, from training to capability, and from intent to mission success. In the context of African armies contending with increasingly complex threats – insurgency or terrorism, humanitarian or crisis response – this trajectory is particularly important.
Building Resilience and Adaptability
NCOs backed by this framework are better placed to lead in a variety of environments, adapt to whatever operational context they find themselves in, and develop cohesion in unit culture.
Challenges and Recommendations
Addressing Resource Constraints
A lot of African militaries do not have significant budgets or infrastructure to sustain NCO development paths, but relationships with the U.S. military and other allies have provided transitional opportunities through training and shared resources.
Institutionalizing NCO Development
It is important to develop standard curricula, career progression plans, and mentorship programs to bring NCO leader development into the institutional realm.
Fostering Regional Cooperation
Ongoing multinational conferences, like the ASELC and ALFS, are essential for identifying best practices, aligning common standards, and building the trust needed for African militaries.
The 2025 African Senior Enlisted Leader Conference and African Land Forces Summit underscored the critical role of Noncommissioned Officers towards building the military framework of Africa. Noncommissioned Officers, through the vision provided by their governments, cooperative efforts among other member nations, and professional development, produce African militaries that are prepared, resilient, and effective. The relationship between African nations and the U.S. National Guard and SETAF-AF shows an enduring commitment to provide the next generation of military leaders who will support regional and global security.
