Nigeria leads as sub-Saharan Africa buys more arms

Nigeria has emerged as the largest arms importer in sub-Saharan Africa, even as the continent’s overall military purchases decline, according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

The institute’s latest fact sheet on global arms transfers shows that sub-Saharan Africa increased arms imports by 13% between 2021 and 2025 compared to the previous five-year period, with Nigeria accounting for 16% of total imports in the region — the highest share.

Senegal and Mali followed with 8.8% and 8.0% respectively, underscoring a concentration of defence spending among countries facing persistent security threats.

Nigeria’s position reflects its prolonged battle against insurgency, banditry and regional instability, which continue to drive demand for military hardware.

The report shows that China was the largest supplier to sub-Saharan Africa, accounting for 22% of imports, followed by Russia (12%) and Türkiye (11%), highlighting a shift away from traditional Western suppliers.

Nigeria itself sources a significant portion of its arms from Brazil, making it one of the South American country’s top export destinations.

The data also points to the growing role of drones and other advanced systems in African conflicts, with transfers of armed unmanned aerial vehicles and air defence systems recorded in war zones such as Sudan, where arms flows remain highly opaque.

Africa’s overall decline

Despite Nigeria’s rising imports, Africa as a whole recorded a 41% decline in arms purchases over the same period — a trend that contrasts sharply with surging demand in Europe and modest increases in the Americas.

That decline, however, masks a widening regional divide.

While sub-Saharan Africa is increasing imports modestly, North Africa is being reshaped by strategic rivalries — most notably between Morocco and Algeria.

Morocco has become Africa’s largest arms importer, with purchases rising 12% over the past decade, placing it 28th globally.

The country’s acquisitions are heavily tilted toward advanced Western systems, with the United States supplying 60% of its imports, followed by Israel (24%) and France (10%).

Unlike Nigeria’s conflict-driven demand, Morocco’s military buildup reflects a longer-term strategy of modernisation, deterrence and industrial development.

Analysts say Rabat is not only upgrading its arsenal — including advanced fighter jets and precision missile systems — but also laying the groundwork for a domestic defence industry through technology partnerships.

This approach is partly shaped by its rivalry with Algeria, one of Africa’s biggest military spenders, and broader geopolitical considerations tied to its Atlantic and Mediterranean positioning.