African military spending rises amid regional tensions in 2024
In 2024, African countries allocated $52.1 billion (71.96 billion CAD) for armaments, marking an increase of 3 percent compared to the previous year. Algeria and Morocco significantly increased their military budgets, according to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
Algeria and Morocco were responsible for 90 percent of North Africa's defence budget, which in 2024 amounted to $30.2 billion (41.71 billion CAD), an increase of 8.8 percent compared to the previous year.
The main source of tensions between these countries is the dispute over Western Sahara. Algeria, supporting the separatists from the Polisario Front, increased its defence budget by 12 percent to $21.8 billion (30.11 billion CAD).
Morocco, on the other hand, raised its military spending by 2.6 percent, reaching $5.5 billion (7.6 billion CAD), and plans to increase the budget to $13 billion (17.96 billion CAD) this year.
Increase in spending in Sahel countries
Sahel countries, such as Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, also recorded sharp increases in defence budgets. It's worth noting that these are countries where Russia has increasing influence.
Mali increased its spending by 38 percent between 2020 and 2024, and the defence budget for 2025 has been set at over $816 million (1.12 billion CAD). Burkina Faso and Niger also significantly increased their military spending, by 108 percent and 56 percent respectively.
Not all African countries increased their spending on armaments. South Africa, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and Ivory Coast decided on budget cuts. In 2024, South Africa's defence budget was $2.8 billion (3.87 billion CAD), and this year it decreased to $2.2 billion (3.04 billion CAD).
