Africa's Terrorism Crisis: Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and More

The 2026 Global Terrorism Index indicates that terrorism remains a critical security challenge in Africa, with six of the ten countries most affected by terrorism located in sub-Saharan Africa. Burkina Faso ranks second globally, with 846 terrorism-related deaths in 2025, a decrease from 1,532 in 2024.

Niger follows in third place, recording 703 deaths and 88 incidents, particularly in its western regions near Mali and Burkina Faso. Nigeria ranks fourth globally, with 750 terrorism-related deaths in 2025, marking a 46 percent increase from the previous year, primarily attributed to attacks by the Islamic State West Africa Province and Boko Haram, which accounted for 80 percent of the deaths.

Mali ranks fifth, facing ongoing attacks from armed groups like Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen. Somalia, in seventh place, continues to be threatened by the al-Shabaab group, which has launched significant offensives in central Somalia.

The Democratic Republic of the Congo ranks eighth, with 467 terrorism-related deaths, an increase of 28 percent from the previous year.