Operation African Lion 25 (AL25): Strengthening Partnerships in Africa

Nov 06, 2025 0

Operation African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies, and about 10,000 troops. As Africa Command's largest, premier annual exercise, it is a crucial event for strengthening military readiness and partnerships across the continent.

Key Aspects of African Lion 25

Overseen by U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM), the exercise will take place from April 14 to May 23, 2025, across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia. This joint, all-domain, multi-component, and multinational exercise includes more than 10,000 participants from more than twenty nations, including contingents from NATO.

The exercise will include a command post exercise, field training exercises, a live-fire demonstration, and humanitarian civic assistance program events. African Lion activities are spread across Morocco, from Kenitra Air Base in the north to Tan Tan and the Grier Labouihi training complex further south.

Key Objectives:

Restoring the warrior ethos
Sharpening lethality
Strengthening military readiness alongside African partners and allies

The Importance of Partnership

“African Lion is key in building and strengthening partnerships in the region,” said Townsend. This exercise is all about readiness: readiness of our partners, and readiness of our forces.

The State Partnership Program plays a significant role in Africa Command’s efforts. The exercise is designed to restore the warrior ethos, sharpen lethality and strengthen military readiness alongside our African partners and allies.

Moreover,

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Army Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Gabay and Royal Netherlands Army Capt. Lars Roijen rekindled a personal and historical connection that began at a World War II cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. After discovering that Gabay’s great uncle was buried there, Roijen-whose hometown is Margraten-adopted the grave, honoring a Dutch tradition dating back to the war. Now serving together at AL25 in Senegal, the two Soldiers embody the enduring bonds between allies.

Humanitarian Efforts

Air Force Airmen from the Utah Air National Guard will conduct a humanitarian civic assistance event in Morocco.

Adapting to Challenges

Due to last year’s cancellation of African Lion, planners had a head start in planning this year's exercise,” said Townsend. “We understand how important this training is to our forces and our partners and how to better operate in a degraded COVID environment. COVID-19 has not changed our focus on engaging with our Africa partners.

Participants

African Lion 25 (AL25) is set to be the largest annual military exercise in Africa, bringing together over 50 nations, including seven NATO allies, and about 10,000 troops.

Participating Nations:

Continent	Number of Nations
Africa	40+
NATO Allies	7
Total	50+