According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), African military expenditure rose by 3.2% in 2025, reaching an estimated $45.6 billion. Algeria alone accounted for 48% of this total, spending approximately $21.9 billion, driven by ongoing regional security concerns and modernization programs.
Other notable spenders include Morocco ($5.2 billion), Nigeria ($3.1 billion), and South Africa ($2.8 billion). The increase reflects heightened tensions in the Sahel region and the Horn of Africa, as well as efforts to counter insurgencies and terrorism.
SIPRI's data, released in April 2026, highlights that Algeria's spending is primarily allocated to advanced aircraft, naval vessels, and missile systems. The country has been a major importer of Russian and Chinese defense equipment.
Analysts note that while overall African spending remains a small fraction of global military expenditure (about 2.1%), the concentration in North Africa underscores regional disparities. The trend is expected to continue as several nations modernize their armed forces.
