By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
Kenya, February 02, 2026 - Ethiopia is steadily emerging as one of Africa’s foremost military powers, achieving recognition in global defence rankings and reinforcing its strategic position in the Horn of Africa.
According to the latest Global Firepower Index, a recognised annual military strength assessment, Ethiopia ranks 47th out of 145 countries worldwide in 2026 and is placed among the top five militaries on the African continent.
This standing reflects sustained investment in personnel, equipment and operational capability amid evolving regional security dynamics.
Ethiopia’s military strength is anchored in its large available manpower, substantial active force presence and ongoing modernisation efforts.
With one of Africa’s largest pools of recruiting age citizens, the Ethiopian Defence Force (EDF) maintains robust personnel capacity, a key factor in its continental ranking.
The Global Firepower Power Index score of 0.8525, lower scores indicate greater capacity, places Ethiopia as a formidable defence actor on the continent, surpassed only by a handful of armies from Egypt, Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa.
Analysts say this ranking signals not just numerical strength but the ability to sustain force projection and contribute meaningfully to regional security frameworks.
Experts note that Ethiopia’s strategic role has been further amplified by its contributions to peacekeeping and regional missions, particularly under the African Union and United Nations mandates, although its troop deployments have occasionally been points of diplomatic strain with neighbours when not coordinated within agreed frameworks.
While detailed public data on specific force equipment is limited, analysts point to active efforts to enhance both land and air capabilities, with Ethiopian forces investing in a mix of conventional ground systems and aerial platforms.
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These improvements reflect a broader defence strategy focused on deterrence, sovereignty protection, and adaptability to asymmetric threats in the region.
The geopolitical landscape of the Horn of Africa, including persistent instability in neighbouring countries, cross-border security concerns and Ethiopia’s own internal security priorities, reinforces the imperative for a capable and responsive military apparatus.
External observers also highlight Ethiopia’s ongoing tensions and rapprochement efforts with countries like Somalia, where diplomatic and military interactions have at times fluctuated between cooperation and disagreement.
Ethiopia’s rising military profile carries implications beyond defence and security.
For regional stability, a capable army can act as both deterrent and stabiliser, particularly when integrated into collective security initiatives such as the African Union’s peace and security architecture.
Strong defence capabilities may also influence investor confidence in the broader Horn of Africa, where security conditions, whether improving or volatile, are a key consideration for capital flows, infrastructure projects, and cross-border commercial ventures.
At the same time, defence spending must be balanced with economic priorities; Ethiopia continues its ambitious development agenda, from renewable energy and digital infrastructure to expanded rural market access, even as it manages significant fiscal pressures and geopolitical complexities.
