Arms: Morocco dethroned Algeria and took the lead in imports in Africa

According to data from the SIPRI institute, the country ranks 28th globally with 1% of global imports, recording a 12% increase compared to 2016-2020. Its Algerian neighbor falls to 33rd place with a drastic 78% decline, although this decline can be nuanced by the strong opacity surrounding some of its transactions.

On Bladi.net: Sipri 2026: Morocco dethroned Algeria and became the leading arms importer in Africa

The sources of supply show divergent strategic orientations. Rabat relies heavily on Western allies, with the United States in the lead (60%), followed by Israel (24%) and France (10%). Algiers maintains its anchor with Russia (39%), complemented by China (27%) and Germany (18%).

On Bladi.net: Morocco and Algeria are fighting for the title of... "Africa’s armaments champion"

This Maghreb dynamic stands out from an Africa whose imports have fallen by 41% to represent only 4.3% of the global volume. Conversely, international arms transfers have soared by 9.2%, driven by geopolitical hotspots and demand dominated by Ukraine, India, and Saudi Arabia.