Africa Military Ranking: Top 20 Strongest Military in Africa (2025)

Africa is home to many powerful militaries, with countries such as Egypt, Algeria, and Nigeria often being considered among the top contenders. These countries have invested heavily in modernizing and expanding their armed forces, and have the capability to project power both within their borders and beyond. In this ranking, we will take a look at the top 20 most strongest military forces in Africa based on factors such as personnel, equipment, and overall military strength.

As ranked by Global Fire Power, below are the 20 most powerful military in Africa and the weapons they have in their arsenal.

***Each country was Ranked by Their Current military capabilities and available firepower GFP Power Index rating (0.0000 being perfect).

The ranking is based on over 50 individual factors with categories ranging from military might and financials to logistical capability and geography.

However, the ranking does not simply rely on the total number of weapons available to any one country but rather focuses on weapon diversity within the number totals to provide a better balance of firepower available.

In addition, nuclear weapons are not recognised directly (but receive an indirect score bonus), while geographical factors, logistical flexibility, natural resources and military budget influence the rankings.

Egypt was ranked as having the strongest military in Africa in 2025 with 440,000 active personnel, 1,093 aircraft strength, 3620 tanks and a budget of $5 billion while Algeria was ranked second strongest with just over 325,000 active personnel, 608 aircraft, 1485 tanks and a budget of $25 billion. Nigeria, South Africa, and Ethiopia round up the top 5 strongest military in Africa in 2025.

Top 20 Most Powerful Militaries In Africa (2025)

1. Egypt (Power Index Rating: 0.3427)

Egypt has the most powerful military in Africa and 19th out of 145 in the world. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.3427 (a score of 0.0000 is considered ‘perfect’).

Manpower
Active Personnel: 440,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 480,000
Available firepower
Tanks: 3620
Armoured Fighting Vehicles: 41,012
Self-Propelled Guns: 1,056
Rocket Projectors: 528.

The country also has a total of 1,093 aircraft strength, a naval total asset of 150, and a Defense Budget of $5,879,500,000.

2. Algeria (Power Index Rating 0.3589)

Algeria has the second most powerful military in Africa, and the second most powerful military in the North Africa. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.3589.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 325,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 135,000
Firepower
Tanks: 1485
Armored Vehicles: 26,000
Self-Propelled Guns: 224
Towed-Artillery: 483
Rocket Projector: 266

There’s also a total of 608 aircraft owned by the military, a total naval strength of 86.2 and a defense budget $25,000,000,000.

3. Nigeria (Power Index Rating 0.5771)

Ranked the 3rd the most powerful military in Africa, and most powerful military in West Africa, Nigeria holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.5771.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 230,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 330
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 8962
Self-Propelled Guns: 40
Towed-Artillery: 339
Rocket Propeller: 37

Nigeria’s military also has a total of 163 aircraft strength, total naval asset of 133 and a Defense Budget of $3,160,000,000.

4. South Africa (Power Index rating: 0.6889)

South Africa has the fourth most powerful military in Africa, and 40th most powerful military in the world. The country holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.6889.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 71,235
Active Reserve Personnel: 29,350
Firepower
Tanks: 252
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 18,692
Self-Propelled Guns: 49
Towed-Artillery: 134
Rocket Propeller: 101

Other info
Total Naval Asset: 49
Total Aircraft: 182
Defense Budget: $2,260,800,000.

5. Ethiopia (Power Index Rating 0.9305)

The country’s military is the 5th most powerful military in Africa and the most powerful military in East Africa. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 0.9305.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 162,000
Active reserve personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 338
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 7,256
Self-Propelled Guns: 35
Towed-Artillery: 309
Rocket projectors: 40

The country also has a total aircraft strength of 103 aircraft, and a Defense Budget of $2,097,575,000.

6. Angola (Power Index rating: 1.0961)

Angola is the 6th most powerful military in Africa, and the 56th most powerful military in the world. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.0961.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 107,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 309
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 5,500
Self-Propelled Guns: 25
Towed-Artillery: 575
Rocket projectors: 113

The country also has a total aircraft strength of about 298, total naval asset of 51 and a Defense Budget of $1,101,360,000.

7. Morocco (Power Index rating: 1.1273)

Morocco has the 7th most powerful military in Africa, and the 59th most powerful in the world. The country holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.1273.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 195,800
Active Reserve Personnel: 150,000
Firepower
Tanks: 903
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 7,877
Self-Propelled Guns: 396
Towed-Artillery: 153
Rocket projectors: 129

Other info
Total Naval Asset: 111
Total Aircraft Strength: 260
Defense Budget: $13,400,000,000.

8. Democratic Republic of Congo (Power Index rating: 1.3111)

Democratic Republic of the Congo has the 8th most powerful military in Africa and is ranked 66 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.3111.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 166,580
Active Reserve Personnel: 31,000
Firepower
Tanks: 105
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 916
Self-Propelled Guns: 8
Towed-Artillery: 60
Rocket Projectors: 25

South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 46, a total of 8 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $796,560,000.

9. Sudan (Power Index Rating: 1.4756)

Sudan is the 9th most powerful country in Africa and the 4th most powerful military in North Africa. Sudan holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.4756.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 92,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 85,000
Firepower
Tanks: 224
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 2,900
Self-Propelled Guns: 100
Towed-Artillery: 287
Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems: 192

Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 165, a total naval asset of 6, and a Defense Budget of $342,000,000.

10. Libya (Power Index rating: 1.4449)

The country’s military is the 10th most powerful military in Africa and the 76th most powerful in the world. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.4449.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 32,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 43
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1,816
Self-Propelled Guns: 15
Towed-Artillery: 28
Rocket projectors: 25

Other info
Total Aircrafts strength: 143
Total Naval asset: 5
Defense Budget: $3,060,000,000.

11. Kenya (Power Index rating: 1.8135)

Kenya is ranked 83 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. The country has the second most powerful military in East Africa and holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.8135.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 50,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 188
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 4,128
Self-Propelled Guns: 18
Towed-Artillery: 53
Rocket Projectors: 0

Kenya’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 156, a total of 85 helicopters, 2 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $1,307,383,000.

12. Chad (Power Index rating: 1.8712)

Chad is ranked 84 of 145 out of the countries considered for the annual GFP review. The country holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.8712.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 33,250
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 90
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 3,316
Self-Propelled Guns: 10
Towed-Artillery: 10
Rocket projectors: 20

Chad’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 40, a total of 16 helicopters, 3 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $381,350,000.

13. Mozambique (Power Index rating: 1.9265)

Mozambique’s military is ranked 13th among the most powerful in Africa according to the 2025 Global Firepower Index, with a Power Index score of 1.9265.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 11,200
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 30
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 872
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 52
Rocket Projectors: 6

Mozambique’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 22, a total of 2 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $412,400,000.

14. Tunisia (Power Index rating: 1.9538)

Tunisia’s military is ranked 90 of 145 out of the countries, making it the 14th most powerful military in Africa. It holds a PwrIndx* score of 1.9538.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 89,800
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 90
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 7,913
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 85
Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems: 0

Other info
Total Naval Strength: 58
Total Aircraft Strength: 154
Defense Budget: $1,400,000,000

15. Tanzania (Power Index rating: 2.0416)

Tanzania’s military, ranked 15th most powerful in Africa according to the 2025 Global Firepower Index, is recognized for its professionalism and steady development. While it does not possess the most advanced equipment on the continent, the Tanzania People’s Defence Force (TPDF) maintains a well-organized and disciplined structure.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 27,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 80,000
Firepower
Tanks: 62
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1,072
Self-Propelled Guns: 6
Towed-Artillery: 0
Rocket Projectors: 0

South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 39, a total of 12 helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $1,406,745,000.

16. Cameroon (Power Index rating: 2.0501)

Manpower
Active Personnel: 40,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 430
Self-Propelled Guns: 18
Towed-Artillery: 52
Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems: 20

Cameroon’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 35, a total of 51 naval assets, and a Defense Budget of $559,952,000.

17. Côte d’Ivoire (Power Index rating: 2.1796)

Côte d’Ivoire ranks 17th among Africa’s most powerful militaries in the 2025 Global Firepower Index, with a Power Index score of 2.0416. Though modest in size, it fields 22,000 active personnel and 27,500 reserves, anchored by a fleet of 5 tanks.

Manpower
Active Personnel: 22,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 27,500
Firepower
Tanks: 5
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 656
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 2
Rocket Projectors: 3

South Sudan’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 49, a total of 5 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $669,600,000.

18. Mali (Power Index rating: 2.2379)

Manpower
Active Personnel: 40,000
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 10
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 570
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 10
Multiple-Launch Rocket Systems: 20

Mali’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 43, a total of 8 attack helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $650,386,000.

19. Zambia (Power Index rating: 2.3411)

Manpower
Active Personnel: 15,150
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 35
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 424
Self-Propelled Guns: 12
Towed-Artillery: 30
Rocket Projectors: 25

Zambia’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 77, a total of 32 helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $394,290,000.

20. Ghana (Power Index rating: 2.3775)

Manpower
Active Personnel: 15,500
Active Reserve Personnel: 0
Firepower
Tanks: 0
Armored Fighting Vehicles: 1,824
Self-Propelled Guns: 0
Towed-Artillery: 6
Rocket Projectors: 6

Ghana’s military also possess a Total Aircraft strength of 19, a total of 10 helicopters, and a Defense Budget of $308,500,000.

Top 20 Strongest Military in Africa (2025)

Methodology

The finalized Global Firepower ranking above utilizes over 50 individual factors to determine a given nation’s PowerIndex (‘PwrIndx’) score with categories ranging from military might and financials to logistical capability and geography.

Revised in June 2025.