Nigeria has been ranked the third most powerful military force in Africa, according to the 2025 Global Firepower Military Strength Index, as reported Online on Monday.

The annual index, which assesses the military strength of 145 countries, is based on more than 60 factors, including troop size, weapon systems, defense budget, logistical capacity, and geographic advantages.

Egypt tops the list as Africa’s leading military power, followed by Algeria in second place. Nigeria’s climb to third place highlights its enhanced military strength, attributed to ongoing investments in defense personnel, modern equipment, and counter-terrorism initiatives. South Africa takes the fourth spot on the continent.

Below is the 2025 ranking of African countries in the Global Firepower Index, with their global positions in parentheses:

Egypt (19)

Algeria (26)

Nigeria (31)

South Africa (40)

Ethiopia (52)

Angola (56)

Morocco (59)

Democratic Republic of the Congo (66)

Sudan (73)

Libya (76)

Kenya (83)

Chad (84)

Mozambique (89)

Tunisia (90)

Tanzania (92)

Cameroon (93)

Ivory Coast (102)

Mali (104)

Zambia (109)

Ghana (110)

Zimbabwe (111)

South Sudan (113)

Uganda (114)

Namibia (116)

Niger (119)

Eritrea (120)

Republic of the Congo (121)

Botswana (122)

Mauritania (123)

Senegal (125)