Strengthening Security in West Africa: Spanish Troops Lead EU Training in Benin
This week, a Spanish Mobile Training Team from the General Command of Ceuta launched a new Intelligence Analyst Course for officers of the Beninese Armed Forces. The four-week programme is part of the European Union Security and Defence Initiative for the Gulf of Guinea (EU SDI GoG) — an EU-led effort to help partner nations strengthen their military capabilities and counter regional threats.
A European Effort for a Safer Gulf of Guinea
Created in 2023 under the EU’s Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP), the EU SDI GoG is designed to support the armed forces of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo. The initiative focuses on training and capacity-building, not combat operations. Its goal: to help national forces respond more effectively to terrorism, piracy, and organised crime across the Gulf of Guinea — a region crucial to global trade and European security.
“Security in West Africa is closely linked to security in Europe,” explained a Spanish officer leading the mission. “By working together, we’re not only sharing expertise but also helping to build mutual trust and resilience.”
Training that Builds Capability and Confidence
The Beninese participants — drawn from the Army, Navy, and Air Force — are learning both theory and practice: how to gather, analyse, and interpret intelligence; how to use data tools; and how to assess threats in complex operational environments.
The Spanish instructors, part of the 12th Mobile Training Team, are working hand-in-hand with their Beninese counterparts to tailor the content to local realities. Lessons include practical exercises based on real or simulated scenarios, where participants must develop intelligence reports and make strategic recommendations.
“It’s not just about information,” said one instructor. “It’s about decision-making — using intelligence to protect people, borders, and stability.”
Spain’s Commitment to European and African Partnership
Spain has been a leading contributor to the EU SDI GoG since the initiative became operational in 2024. So far, Spanish military teams have delivered 13 training activities across Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ghana, covering areas from counter-IED tactics and logistics to signals intelligence and electronic warfare. Through these efforts, Spain is reinforcing both bilateral ties with West African nations and the EU’s broader commitment to regional peace and security.
Spain’s engagement in the Gulf of Guinea is part of a shared European approach. The EU is working with partners to strengthen their own capacity, because sustainable security can only come from within.
