Top 10 African Countries With the Strongest Military in 2026

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Africa’s 10 strongest militaries in 2026

1. Egypt – 0.3651
2. Algeria – 0.4849
3. Nigeria – 0.6097
4. South Africa – 0.6843
5. Ethiopia – 0.8525
6. Morocco – 1.0368
7. Angola – 1.1045
8. Democratic Republic of the Congo – 1.3051
9. Sudan – 1.3563
10. Tunisia – 1.7823