Between 2019 and 2023, Africa's total arms imports fell by 52% compared to the previous five years, largely due to significant reductions by Algeria and Morocco.

Russia accounted for 24% of Africa's arms imports between 2019 and 2023, according to a report issued yesterday by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The report, focusing exclusively on major weapons (such as aircraft, anti-air defense systems, armored vehicles, missiles, ships, satellites, etc.), indicates that other key suppliers of arms to African countries over the last five years include the United States (16%), China (13%), and France (10%).

Overall, Africa accounted for 4.3% of global arms imports over the last five years, against 37% for Asia & Oceania, 30% for the Middle East, 21% for Europe, and 5.7% for the Americas.

According to SIPRI, Africa’s major arms imports dropped by 52% over the period, compared to the 2014-2018 period, due notably to substantial decreases by two of North Africa's largest importers: Algeria (down 77%) and Morocco (down 46%).

The report also reveals that Sub-Saharan African countries made up 2.2% of the total global imports of major arms between 2019 and 2023. Their combined imports were 9% lower than during the 2014-2018 period and the largest arms importers in the region over the last five years have been Nigeria (accounting for 16% of Sub-Saharan Africa's total), Angola (9.2%), and Senegal (9.2%).

Several arms-exporting countries are vying for the market in Sub-Saharan Africa. China has overtaken Russia as the leading supplier of major arms to the region, with its share of arms imports by Sub-Saharan African states reaching 19% during the 2019-2023 period, compared to 17% from Russia, 11% from France, and 6.3% from Turkey.

Additionally, Egypt is the sole African nation to feature in the top 10 global importers of major arms during the 2019-2023 period, securing the seventh position worldwide. Its acquisitions include over 20 combat aircraft and a fleet of 10 significant warships.