West African arms transfers nearly double as continental military imports face a decade long downward trend

West African arms imports nearly doubled as regional security falls, even as total African military spending dropped 41%. Explore the latest SIPRI data.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 17, 2026, 6:26 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from DefenceWeb

Divergent Trends in Continental Military Procurement

A comprehensive report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) has revealed a stark divide in the African arms trade landscape. Between the five year periods of 2016 to 2020 and 2021 to 2025, the total volume of major arms flowing into the continent dropped by 41 percent. However, this general decline masks a localized surge in West Africa, where military transfers rose by 82 percent. According to SIPRI researcher Katarina Djokic, this growth is a direct response to a rapidly destabilizing security environment in the Sahel. Nigeria remains the primary driver of this sub-regional trend, accounting for 34 percent of all West African imports as it seeks to modernize its forces against internal insurgencies.

Geopolitical Realignments Among Global Weapon Suppliers

The shifting demand for military hardware has attracted a diverse array of global suppliers competing for influence in sub-Saharan Africa. While the United States and China maintain significant market shares at 19 percent and 17 percent respectively, emerging actors are making rapid inroads. Türkiye has seen its exports to Africa rise substantially, positioning itself alongside more traditional suppliers such as Russia and France. In sub-Saharan Africa specifically, China has solidified its role as the dominant partner, supplying major arms to 23 different states. This diversification of suppliers indicates a move away from historical colonial dependencies as African nations seek varied tactical capabilities and strategic partnerships.

North African Rivalries Drive Heavy Defense Investment

Despite the continental drop in volume, North Africa remains the largest market for major arms on the continent, primarily due to the ongoing tensions between Morocco and Algeria. Morocco, which increased its imports by 12 percent, currently ranks as the 28th largest arms recipient globally. In contrast, Algeria’s officially recorded imports fell by 78 percent from their previous peak. However, SIPRI analysts suggest these figures may be underestimated due to the secretive nature of Algerian procurement and unverified reports of significant deals with Russia. The continued modernization of these two militaries underscores how localized territorial disputes can sustain high levels of defense spending even when regional trends suggest a co...