Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso, according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) ranking, lead global terrorism impact in 2026.
The GTI is a study that analyses the impact of terrorism across countries. The Institute for Economics & Peace publishes it annually. The formation of the list focuses on four parameters, including incidents, fatalities, injuries, and hostages.
Top 5 African Countries Impacted by Terrorism
On this year’s list, Somalia, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, and Burkina Faso ranked among the top five, coming after each other with real close margins. The ranking covers 163 countries worldwide. 
5. Somalia
Somalia is seventh on the list with 90 incidents, 317 fatalities, 270 injuries, and no hostages in 2025. It has a terrorism index of 7.391 out of 10.
4. Mali
Mali is fifth on the list with 106 incidents, 341 fatalities, 89 injuries, and 65 hostages in 2025. It has a terrorism index of 7.586 out of 10.
3. Nigeria
Nigeria is fourth on the list with 171 incidents, 750 fatalities, 243 injuries, and 67 hostages in 2025. It has a terrorism index of 7.792 out of 10.
2. Niger
Niger is third on the list with 88 incidents, 703 fatalities, 157 injuries, and 70 hostages in 2025. It has a terrorism index of 7.816 out of 10.
SEE ALSO: U.S. Troops in Nigeria: Combatting ISIS or a Threat to Sovereignty?
1. Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is second on the list with 59 incidents, 846 fatalities, 110 injuries, and 96 hostages in 2025, giving it a terrorism index of 8.324 out of 10.
The GTI records sub-Saharan Africa as the epicentre of terrorism, as it has six of the ten countries most impacted by terrorism.
Ironically, the report says deaths from terrorism fell by 28 per cent. Incidents also decreased by 22 per cent, marking the lowest figures since 2007. Still, Western terrorism fatalities rose sharply by 280 per cent to 57 in 2025. This GTI says the increase was largely driven by antisemitism, Islamophobia, and political terrorism
In an article by Vision of Humanity published on March 18, 2026, the Islamic State (IS) and its affiliates remain the deadliest terrorist organisation in 2026. They are responsible for about 17 per cent of all attacks worldwide.
Nigeria’s position in the 2026 report is especially alarming because of its trajectory. According to the Global Terrorism Index ranking, Nigeria recorded the largest increase in terrorism-related deaths globally, with fatalities rising by 46% in one year.
While the rest of the world records a decline in attacks, the sub-Saharan countries have become the new frontline, driven by weak governance, economic strain, and increasingly organised extremist networks.
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