Africa’s security landscape is as diverse as its geography—and so are the sizes and compositions of its military forces. Using the latest data from GlobalFirepower.com, we’ve visualized the top 20 African nations ranked by total military manpower in 2025. This includes active duty personnel, reserve forces, and paramilitary units. The numbers reveal much more than just troop counts—they tell a story of regional priorities, historical contexts, and emerging defense strategies.
Top 20 African Militaries (2025) – Ranked by Total Military Manpower
| Rank | Country | Active Military | Reserve Forces | Paramilitary | Total Military Manpower |
| 1 | Egypt | 440,000 | 480,000 | 300,000 | 1,220,000 |
| 2 | Algeria | 325,000 | 135,000 | 150,000 | 610,000 |
| 3 | Morocco | 195,800 | 150,000 | 50,000 | 395,800 |
| 4 | Nigeria | 230,000 | 0 | 50,000 | 280,000 |
| 5 | Eritrea | 120,000 | 130,000 | 0 | 250,000 |
| 6 | DR Congo | 166,580 | 31,000 | 10,000 | 207,580 |
| 7 | Sudan | 92,000 | 85,000 | 17,500 | 194,500 |
| 8 | South Sudan | 185,000 | 0 | 0 | 185,000 |
| 9 | Ethiopia | 162,000 | 0 | 0 | 162,000 |
| 10 | South Africa | 71,235 | 29,350 | 50,000 | 150,585 |
| 11 | Libya | 32,000 | 0 | 100,000 | 132,000 |
| 12 | Angola | 107,000 | 0 | 10,000 | 117,000 |
| 13 | Tanzania | 27,000 | 80,000 | 6,500 | 113,500 |
| 14 | Tunisia | 89,800 | 0 | 12,000 | 101,800 |
| 15 | Kenya | 50,000 | 0 | 25,000 | 75,000 |
| 16 | Uganda | 45,000 | 0 | 10,000 | 55,000 |
| 17 | Cameroon | 40,000 | 0 | 12,500 | 52,500 |
| 18 | Zimbabwe | 29,000 | 0 | 21,800 | 50,800 |
| 19 | Mali | 40,000 | 0 | 4,800 | 44,800 |
| 20 | Niger | 25,000 | 0 | 5,000 | 30,000 |
Egypt: A Regional Giant in Numbers and Influence
With 1.22 million personnel, Egypt clearly leads the continent. This figure includes 440,000 active troops, 480,000 reserves, and a notable 300,000 paramilitary forces. Egypt’s military strength reflects its long-standing role as a regional power, with investments in modern equipment, air defenses, and naval capacity that extend its reach beyond North Africa and into the Middle East.
Its paramilitary forces, which include units like the Central Security Forces, contribute significantly to domestic control and regional stability operations.
Algeria and Morocco: North Africa’s Strategic Duo
Algeria, Africa’s second-largest military force with 610,000 total personnel, has long prioritized military self-reliance. Its mix of active (325,000), reserve (135,000), and paramilitary (150,000) personnel underscores a broad security framework, one shaped by regional tensions, especially in the Sahel.
Morocco, ranking third, fields nearly 396,000 military personnel. While smaller than its eastern neighbor, Morocco maintains a robust reserve force and leverages its Western ties for advanced training and equipment procurement. Its strategic position and stability in North Africa make it an increasingly vital player in regional security.Nigeria: West Africa’s Military Anchor
At 280,000 total troops, Nigeria leads West Africa in military manpower. Despite having no reserve forces reported, its sizable active duty numbers and 50,000 paramilitary troops point to a force shaped by internal challenges—from insurgencies in the northeast to coastal security concerns in the Niger Delta. Nigeria’s defense strategy often blends military presence with regional peacekeeping responsibilities.
The Horn of Africa: Rising Militarization
Smaller states like Eritrea surprise with significant manpower (250,000 total), driven largely by conscription policies and prolonged national service. Meanwhile, Ethiopia, Africa’s second-most populous nation, holds 162,000 active troops but lacks reserves or paramilitary units. Ongoing border concerns and internal instability keep military readiness a key priority.
Neighboring Sudan and South Sudan, both facing political volatility, retain large military presences with 195,000 and 185,000 respectively—highlighting the persistent reliance on military power in post-conflict governance.
Central and Southern Africa: Modest but Strategic
Countries like DR Congo (207,580 total) and South Africa (150,585 total) have diverse defense profiles. DR Congo’s size and internal conflicts necessitate a strong troop presence, even with limited reserve capacity. South Africa, on the other hand, balances a smaller active force with professional training and advanced capabilities, especially in peacekeeping and regional intervention roles.
Libya’s emphasis on paramilitary forces (100,000) over regular troops reflects the nation’s fragmented security landscape post-2011.
East Africa: Efficiency Over Size
Kenya maintains a modest but effective force of 75,000, including 25,000 paramilitary units. While its total ranks only 15th, Kenya’s disciplined forces have earned international respect through counterterrorism operations and contributions to regional peacekeeping.
Countries like Tanzania (113,500 total) and Uganda (55,000 total) strike a balance between domestic security needs and regional commitments, particularly in the Great Lakes region.
Smaller States, Big Commitments
Even lower-ranked countries like Zimbabwe, Mali, and Niger continue to invest in defense amid growing instability in the Sahel and Central Africa. Though manpower is limited, the strategic value of these nations in multinational efforts such as the G5 Sahel cannot be overlooked.
Final Thoughts: More Than Just Numbers
Africa’s military strengths can’t be measured by numbers alone. While Egypt, Algeria, and Morocco dominate in terms of headcount, many smaller forces punch above their weight through regional cooperation, specialized training, and external partnerships.
In an increasingly volatile global landscape, the shape of African militaries will continue to evolve—balancing internal security, border defense, and peacekeeping responsibilities. As new threats emerge, manpower is only one piece of a much larger defense puzzle.