The index weighs manpower, equipment, logistics, and financial resources to produce a comparative “Power Index.”

In this report, we highlight the top 10 African militaries, outlining their key capabilities and strengths, alongside the latest defence budget figures converted into U.S. dollars.

1. Egypt

Egypt leads the African list with a large, well-equipped armed force and regionally significant naval and air assets.

Its military benefits from an extensive workforce, a sizeable tank and armoured vehicle fleet, and a large helicopter force that supports expeditionary and internal-security operations.

Egypt’s total military personnel is reported in the hundreds of thousands, with an active force of roughly 440,000 and significant reserve and paramilitary elements.

The site lists Egypt’s defence budget at about $5.88 billion.

2. Algeria

Algeria combines strong workforce reserves with modernised equipment imports and a notable inventory of land systems and air assets, optimised for conventional territorial defence.

Its active and reserve personnel form a substantial force, and its naval and air components provide strategic reach along the Mediterranean.

Global Firepower records Algeria’s defence budget at approximately $25.0 billion.

3. Nigeria

Nigeria projects power through its abundant human resources, a growing air fleet, and a substantial internal security apparatus, which is focused on counterinsurgency.

The country fields a substantial active force, approximately 230,000, and maintains paramilitary capabilities to address domestic threats and fulfill its peacekeeping commitments.

GFP reports Nigeria’s defence budget is near $3.16 billion.

4. South Africa

South Africa’s military is notable for its professional core, advanced defence industry capacity, and balanced capabilities across air, land, and sea.

The country operates modern aircraft and a capable navy for regional maritime tasks, and its force is trained for both conventional operations and peacekeeping.

The total number of active personnel is far smaller than that of some peers, but quality and technical sophistication remain strengths.

The estimated budget is about $2.27 billion.

5. Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s strength primarily rests on its workforce and a history of large-scale ground forces; the country fields a sizable army and maintains an air force suited to regional operations.

Its focus remains largely land-centric, geared toward territorial defence and internal security.

Global Firepower lists Ethiopia’s defence budget at roughly $2.10 billion.

6. Angola

Angola combines post-conflict modernisation with investments in land forces and a modest air and naval presence.

Its force structure emphasises army capabilities for internal security and border defence, supported by a steady but comparatively smaller defence budget, reported at about $1.10 billion.

7. Morocco

Morocco pairs a relatively large active force with a broad inventory of tanks, armoured vehicles, and combat aircraft, and it maintains a capable navy oriented toward Atlantic and Mediterranean operations.

The country’s investment in modernisation provides it with operational flexibility; GFP cites Morocco’s defence budget as approximately $13.4 billion.

8Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

The DRC’s ranking is driven by its large population and mobilisation potential, as well as a significant land force presence; however, force projection and sustainment are constrained by limited modernisation.

The active and reserve personnel numbers make the DRC a notable regional player on paper, although its defence budget is comparatively small, at around $0.80 billion.

9. Sudan

Sovereignty Council Chairman and Army Commander Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visits the newly established Al-Afadh camp in Al Dabbah, Northern State, where tens of thousands of Sudanese have taken refuge after being displaced by clashes following the Rapid Support Forces' takeover of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on October 26, in Al Dabbah, Sudan, on November 8, 2025. [Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images]

Sudan's Sovereignty Council Chairman and Army Commander Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visits the newly established Al-Afadh camp in Al Dabbah, Northern State, where tens of thousands of Sudanese have taken refuge after being displaced by clashes following the Rapid Support Forces' takeover of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on October 26, in Al Dabbah, Sudan, on November 8, 2025. [Photo by Stringer/Anadolu via Getty Images]

Sudan maintains a sizable army and paramilitary elements focused on internal security and regional operations.

Its capabilities are primarily land-focused, with modest air and naval elements.

According to Global Firepower, Sudan’s defence budget is approximately $342 million.

10. Libya

Libya’s ranking reflects a mix of legacy equipment, a sizable workforce on paper, and fragmented command dynamics following years of conflict.

The country retains a broad inventory of ground systems and some air assets, though operational coherence has varied.

GFP reports that Libya’s defence budget is approximately $3.06 billion. (Business Insider Africa)