Africa remains the epicentre of global terrorism, with Sub-Saharan Africa accounting for 59 per cent of all terrorism-related deaths worldwide. There is a need for enhanced counter-terrorism initiatives that addresses the interconnectedness between security, development and human rights. In 2024 alone, the African Union Counter-Terrorism Centre recorded over 3,400 attacks on the continent, which resulted in over 13,900 fatalities (United Nations, 2025). Different terrorist groups operating at various locations on the continent are responsible for perpetrating these attacks.
The most notable among the terrorist groups in Africa are:
1. Jama’at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM): Formed in 2017, JNIM is a coalition of several jihadist groups, including al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), Ansar Dine, the Macina Liberation Front, and al-Mourabitoun. It is affiliated with al-Qaeda and operates mainly in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.
2. Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISGS): This group emerged in 2015 after splitting from al-Mourabitoun and pledging allegiance to the Islamic State (ISIS). ISGS operates primarily in the border areas of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger and is known for its brutal attacks on both civilian and military targets.
3. Boko Haram: While originally based in Nigeria, Boko Haram has extended its operations into the Sahel, particularly in Niger and Chad. The group is infamous for its violent insurgency aimed at establishing an Islamic state in the region.
4. Ansaroul Islam: This group, based in Burkina Faso, was founded by Malam Ibrahim Dicko in 2016. It has been responsible for numerous attacks in northern Burkina Faso.
5. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM): Although part of JNIM, AQIM continues to operate as a distinct entity. It has a long history in the region, engaging in kidnappings, bombings, and other terrorist activities.
6. Katiba Macina (Macina Liberation Front): Led by Amadou Koufa, this group operates mainly in central Mali. It is part of JNIM and has been involved in numerous attacks against Malian and international forces.
Poverty
Africa is riddled with extreme poverty, with millions of people lacking access to basic needs and amenities. The majority of cases of poverty are as a result of unemployment, especially among the youth. Terrorists take advantage of the situation to their benefit by offering unemployed youth offers which are often hard to reject, given their living conditions. In such conditions, terrorist groups find it easy to recruit vulnerable individuals, offering them financial incentives, a sense of purpose, and a promise of a better life. For example, Boko Haram has exploited poverty in northern Nigeria, providing small sums of money and food to impoverished families in exchange for loyalty to the group.
With unemployment rates soaring in many African countries, disillusioned youth become easy targets for radicalisation. A 2024 report by the African Union highlights that over 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, and without meaningful employment, this demographic becomes a ticking time bomb for extremist recruitment.
In Ghana, the lack of access to meaningful economic opportunities has created challenges, particularly in the mining sector. Illegal mining has become a major environmental, security and health challenge for the nation as the rivers and waterbodies are polluted by able bodied youth who claim to have no other opportunities.
Climate Change
The livelihoods of millions of Africans are closely linked to agriculture, livestock, and fishing. However, climate change is disrupting these established lifestyles. Long periods of droughts in areas such as the Sahel have resulted in significant water shortages and desertification, pushing communities to compete for dwindling resources. This rivalry often escalates into conflict, which terrorist groups use to their advantage to broaden their reach.
In northern Nigeria for instance groups like Boko Haram have taken advantage of the desperation experienced by communities hit by environmental decline, offering food or security in return for recruitment. The strategic manipulation of local grievances by these groups highlights how climate-induced vulnerabilities can be exploited to foster radicalisation (CISA, 2025).
Additionally, the Lake Chad Basin, which was once a thriving ecosystem, has shrunk by 90% over the past few decades due to climate change. This has disrupted the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on fishing and farming, pushing many into the arms of Boko Haram (United Nations Development Programme, 2024). The link between climate change and terrorism is clear, environmental degradation exacerbates poverty and displacement, creating conditions that extremist groups exploit to expand their influence.
Weak Governance
Weak government institutions and political instability in various African countries provide a large gap in security making it very easy for the proliferation of arms amongst insurgent groups.
Terrorist groups often position themselves as alternatives to corrupt governments, claiming to uphold justice and provide for the needs of marginalized communities (ACSRT, 2024). For example, in Somalia, the weak central government has struggled to maintain control over large parts of the country, allowing Al-Shabaab to establish parallel governance structures in rural areas. These structures provide basic services and enforce Sharia law, winning the support of local populations (International Crisis Group, 2024). Without addressing governance failures in Africa, any efforts to combat terrorism will prove ineffective.
Even in states which seem to have governance structures in place, significant challenges remain with respect to law enforcement. The incidence of the persistence of illegal mining across many parts of west Africa is indicative of the lack of capacity to control territories or maintain the rule of law.
Corruption and Misuse of Resources
In many areas across the continent, incidents of corruption and misapplication of resources is consistently undermining trust of the citizenry in public institutions. Public anger is increasingly being exhibited during violence at elections and demonstrations. Such sentiments are exploited by terrorists to recruit particularly the youth find an appeal in their promises of a better life.
The Path Forward: Addressing the Root Causes
To effectively combat terrorism in Africa, a holistic approach is needed—one that addresses the interconnected challenges of poverty, climate change, and governance. This requires:
1. Investing in Economic Development: Creating jobs, improving education, and providing social services can reduce the appeal of extremist groups.
2. Building Climate Resilience: Supporting sustainable agriculture, water management, and disaster preparedness can mitigate the impacts of climate change.
3. Strengthening Governance: Promoting transparency, accountability, and the rule of law can restore public trust in governments and reduce the appeal of extremist ideologies.
4. Ensuring transparency and engagement with the public: In many African countries, government is seen as distinctly far away from the general populace and is therefore not visible. Regular engagement with the public through regular interaction provides the opportunity for exchange of ideas.
Conclusion
The management of governance and the responses to the above-enumerated challenges over the years have securitized counter-terrorism approaches on the continent. Although military strategies may be justifiable in combative situations, evidence has shown that they are not enough and, in most cases, have worsened the situation. More practical and lasting solutions must be targeted at preventative measures. No Country currently in the eye of the storm of terrorism and violent extremism can “bullet” itself out of the threat (AUCT, 2024). The fight against terrorism in Africa is not just a military battle; it is a fight for development, justice, and resilience. By addressing the root causes, the international community and African nations can work together to build a more secure and prosperous future for the continent. It is imperative, however, for African nations to see themselves as primarily responsible for ensuring an end to terrorism. They must first develop home-grown approaches and a roadmap that the international community can buy into to assist in addressing the challenge.
References
African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism. (2024). The Role of Governance in Countering Terrorism in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.acsrt-au.org
African Union Counter Terrorism Centre. (2024). The Quarterly Africa Terrorism Bulletin (Qatb). Edition 008
Centre for Intelligence & Security Analysis Ghana. (2025). The New Frontlines: Climate change as a catalyst for terrorism in Africa. https://cisanewsletter.com/index.php/the-new-frontlines-climate-change-as-a-catalyst-for-terrorism-in-africa/
Institute for Security Studies. (2024). Poverty and Terrorism in Africa: A Deadly Nexus. Retrieved from https://www.issafrica.org
International Crisis Group. (2024). Climate Change and Conflict in the Sahel. Retrieved from https://www.crisisgroup.org
United Nations. (2025). Africa Remains the Epicenter of Global Terrorism. Retrieved from https://press.un.org
United Nation. (2025). With terrorism at ‘Tipping point’ in Africa, Security Council speakers call for Development-Driven. Retrieved from https://press.un.org/en/2025/sc15971.doc.htm#:~:text=Africa%20remains%20the%20epicentre%20of,address%20the%20interconnected%20relationship%20among
United Nations Development Programme. (2024). Climate Change and Security in the Lake Chad Basin. Retrieved from https://www.undp.org
