Sahel Countries Lead Global List of Most Impacted by Terrorism in 2025 DateLine: Dakar, Senegal — January 4, 2026 Lead Paragraph.
The Sahel region in Africa has been identified as the epicentre of global terrorism, with Burkina Faso topping the list of the most affected countries, according to the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI).
The GTI report indicates a significant increase in extremist violence across the continent, with political instability, weak governance, and competition over natural resources exacerbating conflicts and terrorism in the region.
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The Sahel region accounts for over half of all terrorism — related deaths globally, with Burkina Faso being the hardest hit country.
The number of countries experiencing terrorist attacks has increased from 58 to 66, marking the highest number since 2018.
This surge in attacks is largely attributed to the activities of jihadist groups and separatist movements operating in the region.
The GTI report also highlights that the Sahel region accounted for 19 percent of all worldwide terrorist attacks in 2024. Political instability, weak governance, and competition over natural resources are identified as key factors contributing to the rise in terrorism.
Factors such as poverty, lack of economic opportunities, and historical colonial legacies have further compounded the situation.
Implications and Reactions. Vision of Humanity and Africa Business Insider both emphasize the Sahel as the epicentre of terrorism in Africa, with Vision of Humanity noting a significant increase in the number of countries affected by terrorism.
Africanews and Statista also underscore the Sahel’s role in the global terrorism landscape, providing specific data on the number of deaths and terrorist attacks in Burkina Faso and Niger.
Next Steps and Uncertainties.
The GTI report calls for a coordinated international response to address the root causes of terrorism in the Sahel region.
However, the situation remains fluid, and further details are expected as the situation continues to develop. Source.
The information presented in this article is based on the 2025 Global Terrorism Index (GTI) report and sources such as Vision of Humanity, Africa Business Insider, Africanews, and Statista.
Source: Africa.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
