Every year, governments of many countries prepare a list of expenditures necessary to further strengthen the country’s defense system. These expenditures make up a defense budget which is used to fund military operations, cover salary payments, training, health care of military personnel, purchase and maintenance of arms, equipment, and facilities.
Every year, governments of many countries prepare a list of expenditures necessary to further strengthen the country’s defense system. These expenditures make up a defense budget which is used to fund military operations, cover salary payments, training, health care of military personnel, purchase and maintenance of arms, equipment, and facilities.
Over the years in Africa, several countries have been able to position themselves as the strongest military on the continent. They achieve this feat through continuous allocation of significant amounts of their budgets to boost their military strengths. This helps in addressing security challenges faced within and outside their borders.
According to data by Statista, Algeria had budgeted more funding for its military strengthening than any other African country between 2018 and 2021. Algeria’s budget of about 13.9 billion USD in 2021 is the highest amount ever budgeted for its military use and occupies the top spot in Africa (and 21st globally). Followed closely are Egypt and Angola, with budgets of about 10 billion USD and 7.7 billion USD for their military spendings, respectively.
Morocco, Libya, and Sudan occupy subsequent positions, with budgets of 6 billion USD, 4.9 billion USD, and 4 billion USD respectively. This makes North Africa the region with the largest allocation of budget to national defense on the continent. South Africa with 3.5 billion USD, Nigeria with 2 billion USD, Kenya with 1.1 billion USD, and Uganda with 930 million USD make up the remaining names on the list.
African countries need to improve their military strength, most especially for internal conflicts caused by political instability and terrorism. Although these African countries are taking active measures to strengthen their military, there is a significant leap in the total military expenditure on the continent. Africa only accounts for about two percent of the global military spending.
From this account, countries in North Africa appear more focused on developing their military system than other countries. Algeria and Morocco, in particular, continue to enlarge their armed forces through the increment of imports of arms and military tools. Hence, it is no surprise that North Africa dominates the ranking of African countries with the strongest military. Egypt and Algeria are North Africa’s top countries and have more man-power, equipment, and training than any other military in the whole of Africa.
Thoughts?
We won't share your email address. All fields are required.
