Moroccan military spending falls, Algerian spending accelerates

According to this report, Moroccan military spending fell by 2.5% to $5.2 billion in 2023. This amounts to 3.64% of GDP. Algeria, on the other hand, saw its military expenditure increase by 76% to $18.3 billion. This is the highest level ever for Algeria and the strongest annual increase since 1974. The increase is explained by “a strong increase in gas export revenues to European countries.”

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“Algeria and Morocco represent by far the largest spenders in the sub-region (North Africa),” the report said. “Together they accounted for 82% of North African military expenditure in 2023.”

On the African continent, military spending increased by 22% to $51.6 billion in 2023. North African countries spent $28.5 billion on their militaries last year, up 38% from 2022. Countries in Sub-Saharan Africa spent $23.1 billion on weapons in 2023, up 8.9% than in 2022, but 22% less than in 2014. The 2023 increase is attributed to a 20% increase in Nigeria’s expenditure – the largest military expenditure in the sub-region – and significant increases in expenditure by several other countries, including Congo and South Sudan.

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The United States, China, Russia, India and Saudi Arabia continue to represent the world’s largest military spenders. Together they accounted for 61% of global military spending in 2023, reaching $2.4 trillion in 2023, the strongest increase in a decade, fueled by ongoing conflict. “This reflects the deteriorating state of peace and security in the world. There is no region where the situation is improving,” said Nan Tian, ​​researcher at SIPRI.