Morocco has emerged as Africa’s largest arms importer, according to new data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute—and the regional context makes the numbers particularly striking. Moroccan weapons imports rose 12% between 2021 and 2025 compared to the previous five-year period, driven by a sustained military modernization program. This occurs amid a backdrop of tensions with neighboring Algeria. The United States supplied roughly 60% of deliveries, followed by Israel at 24%, and France at 10%. In contrast, Algeria’s imports fell sharply by 78%, though analysts urge caution given Algiers’ traditionally secretive procurement practices. Meanwhile, arms imports across the rest of Africa dropped 41% over the same period, making Morocco’s trajectory all the more remarkable.
RFI
