North African Arms Race Escalates as Morocco and Algeria Boost Military Spending

According to a report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), North Africa’s military spending reached $30.2 billion in 2024, an increase of 8.8% compared to 2023 and 43% compared to 2015. Algeria and Morocco alone account for 90% of this spending.

Morocco’s military spending increased by 2.6% in 2024, reaching $5.5 billion. This increase is explained by a rise in the personnel budget of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR). Similarly, it is part of a broader global trend, where military spending has seen a spectacular jump of 9.4% compared to the previous year.

In comparison, Algeria is doing better than Morocco. Algeria’s military spending, funded by its lucrative oil and gas revenues, has skyrocketed by 12% this year, reaching $21.8 billion. Algeria’s military budget is the largest in Africa. This consumes a disproportionate share of the country’s public spending, about 21%.

Globally, military spending has reached nearly $2,700 billion, its largest increase since the Cold War. This increase is justified by ongoing conflicts around the world. Defense budgets have also increased significantly in Europe and the Middle East, according to the same report.