FULL LIST: Nigeria, others make 2025 Africa’s most formidable military forces

Nigeria has attained the third position among African countries with the most formidable military forces in the 2025 Global Firepower Military Strength Index.

The list, according to Global Firepower’s annual report, examined 145 countries based on over 60 metrics. The countries were rated based on troop numbers, equipment capabilities, financial resources, logistical efficiency, and geographical advantages to assess military strength.

At the top of the list is Egypt, followed by Algeria. Nigeria is placed third, while South Africa comes fourth.

Below is the full list of African countries with the most formidable military forces.

N.B.: In brackets is each country’s rank in the world

1. Egypt (19)

2. Algeria (26)

3. Nigeria (31)

4. South Africa (40)

5. Ethiopia (52)

6. Angola (56)

7. Morocco (59)

8. Democratic Republic of the Congo (66)

9. Sudan (73)

10. Libya (76)

11. Kenya (83)

12. Chad (84)

13. Mozambique (89)

14. Tunisia (90)

15. Tanzania (92)

16. Cameroon (93)

17. Ivory Coast (102)

18. Mali (104)

19. Zambia (109)

20. Ghana (110)

21. Zimbabwe (111)

22. South Sudan (113)

23. Uganda (114)

24. Namibia (116)

25. Niger (119)

26. Eritrea (120)

27. Republic of the Congo (121)

28. Botswana (122)

29. Mauritania (123)

30. Senegal (125)

31. Burkina Faso (129)

32. Madagascar (130)

33. Gabon (133)

34. Liberia (138)

35. Sierra Leone (140)

36. Somalia (142)

37. Central African Republic (143)

38. Benin (144)