Enhancing defense budgets will enable African nations to strengthen their military capabilities, safeguard sovereignty, protect critical infrastructure, and maintain internal peace.
The continent faces a dual threat: external aggression, including border disputes, and internal security challenges, such as terrorism and insurgency.
Africa’s growing internal crisis
The situation worsened in 2024, with escalating crises in Sudan, rising tensions between Rwanda and the DRC, and militant expansion in the Sahel region.
In West Africa, the long-standing conflicts in Mali, ongoing for over a decade, are now spilling across its borders as military-led governments expel French and U.S. troops from their territories.
Meanwhile, Nigeria continues to grapple with attacks from Boko Haram and ISWAP-linked terrorists, which its security agencies have steadily repelled.
A well-funded military remains critical in enabling nations to respond swiftly and effectively to such threats, reducing the risk of destabilization.
Global Firepower’s annual report monitors defense spending budgets for each country in its ranking.
These budgets encompass funds allocated by governments for procurement, maintenance, support, and pensions within their defense forces.
According to the 2025 rankings, the following African countries recorded the highest defense budgets for their respective military formations;
| Rank | Country | Military Budget ($) | Military strength (Africa) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
Algeria |
25B |
2nd |
|
2 |
Morocco |
13.4B |
7th |
|
3 |
Egypt |
5.9B |
1st |
|
4 |
Nigeria |
3.1B |
3rd |
|
5 |
Libya |
3.0B |
10th |
|
6 |
South Africa |
2.3B |
4th |
|
7 |
Ethiopia |
2.1B |
5th |
|
8 |
Tanzania |
1.4B |
14th |
|
9 |
Tunisia |
1.4B |
13th |
|
10 |
Kenya |
1.3B |
11th |
The table provides a comparison of military strength rankings alongside defense budgets, highlighting how nations with the strongest militaries often allocate substantial amounts to their defense spending.
The ranking highlights significant defense budgets allocated by North African nations, such as Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco, reflecting their focus on advanced military capabilities and regional stability.
These investments stem from their strategic geopolitical roles and security challenges, including terrorism and territorial disputes.
In contrast, many sub-Saharan countries allocate lower defense budgets, limiting their ability to modernize equipment and address security threats effectively.
This disparity impacts regional military balance and underscores the need for equitable resource allocation to strengthen security cooperation across Africa.
