Top 10 African countries with the strongest military
Nigeria, boasting Africa’s largest population and a rapidly advancing defense sector, sits in the fourth position among the countries on the continent with the strongest military forces.
This is highlighted in a recent Global Firepower (GFP) index.
The GFP index measures military strength by evaluating elements such as technological sophistication, defense budget, equipment quality, logistics, natural resources, and force numbers.
Here are the top 10 African countries with the strongest military
1. Egypt
Egypt currently holds Africa’s most powerful military due to its production of cutting-edge technology weapons, its sizable workforce, exceptional naval and aircraft capabilities, and substantial defense budget.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi oversaw a significant upgrade in the country’s military capabilities and weapon modernization. Strong international partnerships boost the armed forces, allowing for increased preparedness and flexibility. Together with its vast resources and connections, the country ranked 15th in the world and first in Africa
2. Algeria
The North African country ranked 26th in the world, and 2nd in Africa acquired the Russian Iskander-E short-range ballistic missile system has been seen for the first time in Algeria, ahead of the military parade commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Algerian Revolution. This sighting confirms Algeria’s acquisition of the Iskander after years of speculation and marks the first time this missile system has appeared in the arsenal of an Arab country. The Arab country received four regiments of the Iskander-E between 2014 and 2017, comprising around 50 vehicles and 48 missiles per regiment, including 12 launchers, 12 transporter-loaders, 11 command vehicles, and various support vehicles to add to its arsenal in 2024.
3. South Africa
According to the most recent numbers from the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC), the South African defense sector exported R3.3 billion worth of weapons, ammunition, and military equipment to 67 nations worldwide in 2022.
Despite having a relatively small defense budget in contrast to other major African countries, South Africa’s military ranks 33rd in the world and third in Africa. South Africa is known for its cutting-edge equipment and highly skilled soldiers because it uses its resources to maintain a strong military force while prioritizing internal security and peacekeeping activities.
4. Nigeria
Nigeria, ranked 39th in the world and 4th in Africa, is a key player in the security environment of West Africa because of its continuous investment in its armed forces and modernization. Nigeria is actively involved in internal security, especially in the fight against insurgencies in the northeast, and has been crucial in regional peacekeeping.
The country has spent no less than N63.6 billion to procure various equipment and ammunition for the Nigerian military and the Office of the National Security Adviser between January and July 2024. Allotted N11.72bn in 2020, N10.78bn in 2021, N9.64bn in 2022, N47.02bn, and a supplementary budget of N184.25bn in 2023, making a total of N231.27bn.
5. Ethiopia
Ethiopian National Defence Force (ENDF) recently enhanced its defence capabilities by taking delivery of hundreds of Calidus MCAV-20 armored vehicles provided by the United Arab Emirates in 2024.
Ethiopia’s military has a wealth of combat experience thanks to its continuous border disputes with its neighbours despite having a lower defense budget than other highly ranked African countries. Ethiopia, known for its strong ground capabilities, is ranked 49th in the world and 5th in Africa, and its concentration on a powerful land military allows it to successfully address regional security challenges.
6. Angola
Angola’s well-funded military, ranked 55th in the world, prioritizes air and ground defence assets.
The nation’s large investments in updating military hardware are made possible by its huge oil earnings. In June 2024, the county purchased defense logistics vehicles, General Motors Defence light tactical vehicles, and other equipment from the United States. Angola’s military readiness and operational capacity are further enhanced by its comparatively high active manpower numbers.
7. Morocco
Morocco’s military, which is ranked 61st in the world, is highly skilled and well-equipped, with specializations in the ground and air forces thanks to its collaboration with U.S. Security. Morocco’s air force has 255 aircraft, including 83 fighters, 71 training aircraft, two fleets of air tankers, and 70 helicopters. Also, 1,564 tanks, 13,710 military vehicles, 565 self-propelled artillery elements, 306 towed artillery elements and 208 rocket artillery elements.
The United States works closely with Morocco to promote regional stability, and counter-terrorism, with a shared goal of a stable, secure, and prosperous Middle East and North Africa.
8. Democratic Republic of the Congo
The Democratic Republic of the Congo received military equipment from Turkey in 2024, shortly after the UN arms embargo was abolished, allowing Congo to purchase weapons on the worldwide market. The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), rated 73rd in the world, has recently increased its military fleet to meet the demands of its ground forces despite several challenges, such as internal wars and regional instability.
9. Tunisia
Tunisia is ranked 74th in the world with support from the US and the acquisition of the Chinese-made Dongfeng Mengshi CSK-131 armoured tactical vehicles to enable its skilled and well-trained military that prioritizes preserving internal security and combating regional threats.
The Tunisia army has a total of 84 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) including 30 American M60A1 and 54 M60A3. A total of 48 Austrian light tank SK-105 Kürassier armed with a 105mm cannon are also part of the current combat tracked vehicles in service with the Tunisian armed forces.
The military’s dedication to security and stability is essential to Tunisia’s continuous attempts to protect its interests as a nation and promote peace in the region.
10. Sudan
Sudan has received weapons from companies in China, Iran, Russia, Serbia, and the UAE to strengthen its artillery since the crisis escalated in April 2023, according to HRW.
Sudan, rated 76th in the world, has a substantial standing army with extensive ground combat experience as a result of internal conflict and regional instability. Sudan’s military forces’ capacity to undertake both air and ground operations allows them to respond quickly to emerging threats. Despite dealing with complex political and security difficulties, Sudan maintains a significant military presence in the region due to its extensive experience and manpower.
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