Terrorism undermines Africa in many ways, affecting people's lives, the continent's stability, and its capacity to grow. In recent years, a few African countries have been plagued by the scourge of terrorism, with numerous extremist organizations spreading fear, and instability. Terrorism in Africa has had a profound and far-reaching impact, taking a high toll on both human lives and socioeconomic growth.
- Business Insider Africa presents the 10 African countries with the highest rate of terrorism.
- This list is courtesy of the Institute for Economics and Peace.
- Burkina Faso has the highest rate of terrorism in Africa and the world.
The eleventh edition of the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) by the Institute for Economics & Peace revealed that compared to other parts of the world, sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, and South Asia are significantly more affected by terrorism. In 2023, these three areas accounted for 94% of all terrorism-related deaths, with sub-Saharan Africa alone contributing slightly less than 59% of all deaths.
“The epicenter of terrorism has now conclusively shifted out of the Middle East and into the Central Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa. There were just under four thousand deaths from terrorism in the Sahel in 2023, or 47 percent of the total. The increase in terrorism in the Sahel over the past 15 years has been dramatic,” the report reads partly.
The socio-economic impact of terrorism in Africa is profound. In addition to the loss of lives, terrorist activities disrupt essential services such as healthcare, education, and access to clean water. Displacement resulting from insecurity and violence exacerbates poverty and food insecurity, pushing already vulnerable populations into deeper deprivation.
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Furthermore, terrorism deters foreign investment and hampers economic growth. The instability and insecurity associated with terrorist activities create an unfavorable business environment.
With that said, here are the 10 African countries with the highest rate of terrorism, according to the Institute for Economics and Peace’s Global Terrorism Index, as seen inits report.
