The effects of the war industry

This Month in African Military Profiles

  • West Africa’s coastal states in focus
  • The Sahel insurgency continues its southward spread
  • Maritime security and counter-insurgency dominate defence priorities
  • Modernisation efforts challenged by structural constraints

West Africa’s Coastal Security Landscape

By Armand Liebenberg – Defence Analyst and Researcher, DefenceWeb

West Africa’s coastal states face an increasingly complex security environment shaped by the southward spread of Islamist insurgencies from the Sahel, persistent maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea, and growing political fragmentation across the region.

This month, we turn to Nigeria, Benin and Togo—three countries with markedly different defence capabilities and strategies, yet all adapting to an increasingly convergent threat environment.

Three themes stand out. First, the expansion of Islamist militant groups has become the defining security challenge. Benin and Togo have redirected limited military resources towards counter-insurgency operations in their northern regions, while Nigeria continues to confront multiple internal and regional security threats, including the long-running insurgency in its north.

Second, external defence partnerships remain central to capability development. All three countries continue to rely heavily on foreign partners for training, equipment and operational support, although Nigeria is placing increasing emphasis on strengthening its domestic defence industry.

Third, despite rising defence expenditure, modernisation efforts remain constrained by structural challenges. Currency volatility, corruption, limited resources and a deteriorating regional security environment continue to hamper long-term capability development.

This edition examines how these coastal West African militaries are adapting to one of Africa’s most demanding security environments.

NIGERIA – West Africa’s Heavyweight

Total Active Personnel: 135,000
Defence Budget (2024): $1.10 billion

Nigeria fields one of the largest, most capable and battle-experienced armed forces in sub-Saharan Africa, making it a cornerstone of West Africa’s security architecture.

Over the past two decades, the Nigerian Armed Forces have pursued an ambitious modernisation programme across the Army, Navy and Air Force, introducing new aircraft, armoured vehicles and naval systems, including an increasing number of domestically manufactured platforms.

Despite these advances, the military continues to face significant challenges. Currency and oil price volatility, corruption, maintenance shortfalls, logistics constraints and enduring security threats in northern Nigeria and the wider Sahel continue to limit operational effectiveness.

In short: A major regional military power undergoing steady modernisation while confronting deep-rooted structural challenges.

👉 Read the full Nigeria profile

BENIN – A Small Force Reforming Under Asymmetric Pressure

Total Active Personnel: 10,000–12,000
Defence Budget (2024): $222.21 million

Benin’s Armed Forces are a modest but increasingly active military adapting to the growing threat posed by Islamist insurgents operating along its northern border.

This evolving threat has shifted the force’s focus away from traditional territorial defence and regional cooperation towards sustained counter-insurgency operations. In response, Benin has increased defence spending, acquired new military equipment and strengthened defence partnerships with France, the United States, Belgium and China.

In short: A military under growing operational pressure, relying heavily on international partnerships to strengthen its capabilities.

👉 Read the full Benin profile

TOGO – Balancing Security Through Diverse Partnerships

Total Active Personnel: ~14,000
Defence Budget (2025): $209.96 million

The Togolese Armed Forces (FAT) are a small but increasingly active military transforming to counter the southward expansion of Islamist insurgent groups from the Sahel.

While continuing to play an important role in domestic political stability, the FAT has increasingly prioritised securing the country’s northern Savanes Region. Recent modernisation efforts have focused on improved armoured mobility, surveillance capabilities and diversified defence partnerships.

Nevertheless, ageing equipment, fiscal pressures and the demands of counter-insurgency operations continue to limit overall force effectiveness.

In short: A small but evolving military leveraging international partnerships to respond to a rapidly changing security environment.

👉 Read the full Togo profile

Regional Snapshot

Across these three countries, several common trends emerge:

  • The southward spread of Sahelian insurgencies is reshaping defence priorities.
  • Counter-insurgency operations are driving capability development and force deployment.
  • External defence partnerships remain essential for equipment, training and operational support.
  • Modernisation efforts continue to be constrained by fiscal pressures and structural challenges.