African Lion 25: Largest U.S.-led military exercise in Africa kicks off across four nations

Photo By Avery Schneider | U.S. Army Spc. Frances Burnett, a unit supply specialist assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, New York Army National Guard, holds the battalion’s colors before a formation of all its Soldiers during exercise African Lion in Tantan, Morocco, May 30, 2024. African Lion 2024 marks the 20th anniversary of U.S. Africa Command’s premier joint exercise led by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), running from April 19 to May 31 across Ghana, Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, with over 9,100 participants from 27 nations and NATO contingents. (U.S. Army photo by Avery Schneider)  

VICENZA, ITALY

04.09.2025

Story by PHILIP REGINA 

U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa

VICENZA, Italy – African Lion 25, U.S. Africa Command’s premier annual exercise, officially kicks off April 14, 2025, in Tunisia, with activities in Ghana, Senegal, and Morocco beginning in May. With more than 10,000 troops from over 40 nations—including seven NATO allies—this year’s iteration will be the largest in the exercise’s history.

Led by the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa (SETAF-AF), AL25 enhances interoperability, strengthens readiness, and builds strategic partnerships through realistic, multi-domain training. Exercises span land, air, maritime, space, and cyber domains, supporting the shared goal of increased security and stability on the continent.

“African Lion 25 is AFRICOM’s largest multinational, combined joint exercise in Africa. It demonstrates the capabilities of the total force by building strategic readiness and interoperability with our African partners and allies to deploy, fight, and win in a complex multi-domain environment,” said Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, commanding general, SETAF-AF.

Core events include field training exercises, airborne and amphibious operations, special operations forces, HIMARS rapid insertion (HIRAIN), humanitarian civic assistance, and medical readiness engagements. New capabilities being tested include integrated cyber defense training and next-generation systems such as the Army’s Next Generation Squad Weapon (NGSW).

African Lion 25 will take place across Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, and Senegal. Participating nations include:

• In Morocco: Cameroon, Cape Verde, Djibouti, France, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Israel, Kenya, Morocco, Netherlands, Nigeria, Portugal, United Kingdom, and the United States.
• In Tunisia: Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Libya, Nigeria, Spain, Tunisia, and the United States.
• In Ghana: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Liberia, Senegal, Togo, and the United States.
• In Senegal: Côte d’Ivoire, Mauritania, Netherlands, Senegal, and the United States.

Observer nations include Belgium, Democratic Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, India, Qatar, and Republic of Congo—reflecting broad interest in regional cooperation and collective security.

African Lion began in 2004 and has evolved into the U.S. military’s most significant exercise on the continent. This year’s events reinforce the U.S. commitment to enduring partnerships and demonstrate our ability to respond to crises and deter threats by promoting peace through strength.

For media inquiries or to request interviews or embed opportunities, contact:
SETAF-AF Public Affairs: [e-mail]
DVIDS Feature Page: https://www.dvidshub.net/feature/AfricanLionEx

• Date Taken: 04.09.2025
• Date Posted: 04.09.2025 10:43
• Story ID: 494908
• Location: VICENZA, IT