10 African countries with the strongest military in 2026

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Nigeria has been ranked as the third-strongest military power in Africa in the 2026 Global Firepower Index, behind Egypt and Algeria.

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The latest ranking, which assesses the military capabilities of countries worldwide using its Power Index (PwrIndx), places Egypt at the top of the continent with a score of 0.3651, maintaining its position as Africa’s leading military force.

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Algeria retained second place despite recording a slight decline, with a PwrIndx score of 0.4849, while Nigeria remained third with a score of 0.6097.

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South Africa held onto fourth place with a PwrIndx of 0.6843, while Ethiopia climbed the rankings to fifth with a score of 0.8525.

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Morocco also moved up the rankings to sixth, recording a PwrIndx of 1.0368, ahead of Angola, which slipped to seventh with 1.1045.

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The Democratic Republic of the Congo rose to eighth with a PwrIndx of 1.3051, followed by Sudan in ninth with 1.3563. Tunisia completed the continent’s top 10 strongest militaries with a score of 1.7823.

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The Global Firepower Index evaluates military strength using more than 60 individual factors, including manpower, equipment, logistics, financial resources, geography and natural resources. A lower PwrIndx score indicates greater military capability.

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Africa’s 10 strongest militaries in 2026

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• Egypt – 0.3651
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• Algeria – 0.4849
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• Nigeria – 0.6097
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• South Africa – 0.6843
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• Ethiopia – 0.8525
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• Morocco – 1.0368
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• Angola – 1.1045
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• Democratic Republic of the Congo – 1.3051
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• Sudan – 1.3563
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• Tunisia – 1.7823
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