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Congolese Soldiers go on patrol in Beni (AFP Photo)
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African military expenditure surged to $51.6 billion in 2023, marking a 22% increase from the previous year, driven primarily by sharp rises in spending by Nigeria, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to a new report by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
The DRC recorded the highest percentage increase in military spending globally, with its defense budget rising by 105% to $794 million as the country faced multiple security threats, including an estimated 200 militias and armed groups operating within its borders. Among these, the Red Tabara rebels have been particularly active, aiming to destabilize neighboring Burundi.
The significant increase in the DRC’s military budget coincided with heightened tensions with Rwanda and the government’s push to strengthen its armed forces. This followed a call for the early withdrawal of a United Nations peacekeeping mission.
In response to its growing defense needs, the DRC has turned to South Africa as a key military supplier. In 2023, South African defense firm Paramount delivered 25 Maatla armored personnel carriers to the DRC police and 20 Mbombe 4 armored vehicles to the military. The DRC is also acquiring aircraft from Paramount, including six Mwari intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) platforms.
Nigeria, Africa’s largest military spender, increased its defense budget by 20%, reaching $3.2 billion in 2023. This included a supplementary allocation that raised the regular military budget by an additional 34%. The rise comes amid ongoing security concerns, including insurgencies and organized crime across various regions of the country.
South Sudan registered the second-highest percentage increase in military expenditure globally, with spending climbing 78% to $1.1 billion. This follows a 108% increase in 2022. The growth reflects intensifying internal violence and the spread of insecurity from the civil war in neighboring Sudan.
Overall, the report underscores how rising insecurity and regional tensions are driving up defense spending across the African continent, signaling a shift in priorities as governments respond to evolving threats.
Source: ADF Magazine
