Algeria topped the list of military spending in Africa in 2025, while Morocco ranked second. This scenario reflects the escalating military rivalry between the two countries, driven by their longstanding dispute over the Sahara issue. DR ‹ › The arms race between Morocco and Algeria continues to shape military spending trends in Africa, contributing significantly to rising armament levels in North Africa in 2025, against a broader backdrop of increasing global defense expenditures. According to a report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, military spending in Africa rose for the third consecutive year, reaching $58.2 billion, an increase of 8.5% compared to 2024 and 45% compared to 2016. This reflects a sustained upward trend across the continent, with North Africa emerging as a key driver. In this context, total military spending in North Africa reached $35 billion in 2025, up 9.3% year-on-year and 67% compared to 2016, highlighting the accelerated pace of armament in the region. Algeria topped the continent, with military spending rising by 11% to $25.4 billion in 2025, making it Africa's largest defense spender by a wide margin. Its military expenditure accounts for 25% of government spending, the second-highest share globally, after Ukraine, which remains at war with Russia. Morocco follows, with a significant gap Morocco ranked second, with military spending reaching $6.3 billion in 2025, up 6.6%. This increase reflects the kingdom's continued efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities in a tense regional environment, particularly amid its ongoing rivalry with Algeria. According to the report, rising expenditures in both countries are largely driven by longstanding tensions, notably over the disputed territory of Western Sahara, where tensions persisted throughout 2025. Globally, military spending rose by 2.9% to reach $2,887 billion in 2025, marking the eleventh consecutive year of growth. Over the decade from 2016 to 2025, global spending increased by 41%, although the growth rate in 2025 was the slowest since 2021. Despite a decline in spending by the United States, the world's largest military spender, sharp increases in Europe and continued growth in Asia and Oceania offset the drop. As a result, global military spending excluding the United States rose by 9.2% in 2025.
