In Africa, military strength is often measured not just by weapons or spending, but by people. From the Horn of Africa to North and West Africa, some countries maintain vast standing forces, shaped by conflict, geography, and regional influence.
One of the clearest ways to compare this power is through active military personnel, the soldiers a country can deploy at a moment’s notice.
According to Global Firepower, active military personnel refers to troops under active service status, meaning forces that are trained, equipped, and ready to fight at any given time. These are not reserves or paramilitary units, but frontline soldiers immediately available to a nation during peace or conflict.
Below are the African countries with the largest active military manpower at the start of 2026:
1. Ethiopia (503,000 personnel)
Ethiopia has Africa’s largest military by personnel, ranking 9th globally with about 503,000 active troops. The size of its armed forces reflects the country’s security realities, including border tensions, internal conflicts, and its role as a regional power in the Horn of Africa. Ethiopia also has a Power Index score of 0.8525, making it the fifth most powerful military in Africa and ranking 47th globally.
2. Egypt (438,500 personnel)
Egypt ranks 13th globally with approximately 438,500 active military personnel. Backed by decades of state investment, Egypt’s military plays a dual role as both a defence institution and a major economic actor. The North African nation has a Power Index score of 0.3651, the most powerful military in Africa, ranking 19th globally.
3. Morocco (400,000 personnel)
Morocco fields around 400,000 active military personnel, ranking 16th globally. Its armed forces are shaped largely by long-standing security concerns in Western Sahara and a focus on territorial defence. Morocco has steadily invested in professionalising its military, combining sizeable manpower with modern equipment and strong international partnerships. The country has a Power Index score of 1.0368, making it the sixth most powerful military in Africa and ranking 56th globally.
4. Eritrea (350,000 personnel)
Eritrea ranks 20th globally with an estimated 350,000 active military personnel, an unusually high figure relative to its small population. This reflects the country’s system of extended national service, which has effectively militarised large segments of society.
5. Sudan (300,000 personnel)
Sudan ranks 22nd globally with roughly 300,000 active military personnel. Its armed forces have long been central to political power, frequently shaping governance through coups and internal power struggles. Sudan has a Power Index score of 1.3563, ranking 66th globally and ninth in Africa.
6. Nigeria (230,000 personnel)
Nigeria ranks 28th globally with about 230,000 active military personnel. As Africa’s most populous country, it confronts a wide range of security threats, from insurgency in the northeast to banditry and maritime crime. Nigerian forces are also among the most active in regional peacekeeping. Nigeria is the third most powerful military in Africa, ranking 33rd globally, reflecting its strategic importance in West Africa.
7. South Sudan (185,000 personnel)
South Sudan ranks 32nd globally with an estimated 185,000 active military personnel, a large force for the world’s youngest nation. Much of this manpower emerged from years of civil war, with former armed groups absorbed into the national military.
8. Democratic Republic of Congo (166,580 personnel)
The Democratic Republic of Congo ranks 35th globally with about 166,580 active military personnel. Given the country’s vast territory and persistent insecurity, this figure reflects both ambition and limitation. The Congolese military is spread thin across multiple conflict zones, particularly in the east, where armed groups remain active, placing a strain on logistics, training, and command effectiveness.
9. Algeria (130,000 personnel)
Algeria ranks 42nd globally with around 130,000 active military personnel. Unlike some peers, Algeria prioritises modern equipment and air power over sheer manpower. The country has a Power Index score of 0.4849, making it the second most powerful military in Africa and ranking 27th globally.
10. Angola (107,000 personnel)
Angola ranks 53rd globally with approximately 107,000 active military personnel. Its armed forces play a key role in safeguarding strategic assets, particularly offshore oil infrastructure. Angola has a Power Index score of 1.1045, making it the seventh most powerful military in Africa and ranking 59th globally.
