African countries with the fastest-growing military strength in 2025

According to the Global Firepower Index, Egypt is Africa’s strongest military power, ranked 19th globally with a Power Index (PwrIndx) score of 0.34.

Following closely is Algeria, ranked 26th globally with a score of 0.35 Nigeria ranks third in Africa and 31st globally with a score of 0.57.

Based on the Global Firepower (GFP) formula, which assesses military strength based on various factors, including manpower, equipment, logistics, finances, and geography, Africa’s military prowess is becoming increasingly evident.

The defence landscape is marked by rapid modernization, increasing investments in technology, and the restructuring of armed forces to address evolving security challenges.

Many nations are prioritizing advanced training, acquiring sophisticated weaponry, and fostering regional collaborations to enhance their capabilities.

Although still playing catch-up compared to western countries, several African countries are making major military advances.

In the Powers on the Rise (2025) annual defence review, which highlights countries with rapidly growing military capabilities, Africa has made a significant mark with 9 of the 19 featured nations coming from the continent.

Leading the charge is Tanzania, which ranks as the fastest-growing military power in Africa, with a Power Index score of 2.0416, placing it 9th globally in this category.

Cameroon follows closely as the second fastest-growing on the continent, with a score of 2.0501, ranked 10th. South Sudan, showing notable progress despite its challenges, ranks 12th globally with a score of 2.4321.