Terrorism is now the highest threat facing Africa, with the continent described as the epicenter of global terrorism [2].
This escalation threatens regional stability and human security as extremist groups expand their influence. The shift indicates that conflict zones are no longer isolated, as violence spills from the Sahel into West African coastal states [3].
UN experts said the terrorist threat from al-Qaida, the Islamic State group, and their affiliates remains high in conflict zones across Africa [1]. These groups are described as a pervasive threat [3]. According to reports from 2024, armed extremist groups fund their operations by exploiting organized crime to destabilize the region [1, 3].
Gen. Dagvin Anderson of the U.S. Africa Command said Africa has become the epicenter of global terrorism [2]. He said that addressing these threats will require sustained pressure [2]. This assessment aligns with a 2024 report from UN experts which highlighted high threat levels in African conflict zones and Afghanistan [1].
While some assessments suggest terrorism is declining as a U.S. national security priority [4], the situation on the ground in Africa reflects a different trend. The Global Terrorism Threat Assessment for 2026 continues to monitor these evolving dynamics [4].
Regional instability is compounded by the ability of these groups to integrate criminal activities into their operational models [3]. This synergy between terrorism and organized crime allows militants to maintain resources despite international counter-terrorism efforts [1, 3].
“Africa has become the 'epicenter of global terrorism,' and it will take 'sustained pressure' to address the threats”
The designation of Africa as the global epicenter of terrorism signals a geographic shift in extremist activity. As groups like ISIS and al-Qaida pivot toward the Sahel and coastal West Africa, the intersection of ideological warfare and organized crime creates a self-sustaining financial loop that complicates traditional military interventions.
