Sub-Saharan Africa was the deadliest region for the eighth consecutive year, yet South Africa was spared acts of terrorism.
The newly released Global Terrorism Index 2025 lists South Africa as a country where terrorism had no impact in 2024. But that is not the case for several other African countries.
The Index, compiled by the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), found most of the impact of terrorism in the region and globally is concentrated in the Sahel region, contributing to over half of all terrorism deaths globally and 19% of attacks worldwide. The Sahel region refers to Senegal, Gambia, Mauritania, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Cameroon and Nigeria.
“The Sahel region hosts five of the 10 countries most affected by terrorism, reflecting the persistent insecurity driven by extremist groups such as Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State (IS). Despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts, the volatile security environment continues to challenge state authorities and international interventions, exacerbating humanitarian crises in countries such as Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger,” it said.
Burkina Faso retained its position as the country most affected by terrorism in 2024, recording the most deaths for the third consecutive year.
“In 2024, the country recorded the largest increase in terrorism deaths globally, rising by 94% to a total of 930, reversing previous improvements from 2022 when it had the second largest improvement.”
“Six of the 10 countries in the region recorded at least one fatality. Togo recorded its worst year for terrorism since the inception of the index, reflecting the spread of terrorist activity beyond the Sahel.”
The report said competition over the region's mineral resources contributed to ongoing instability.
“Gold is a major flashpoint in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. Niger supplies more than 25% of European uranium. Russian presence has grown significantly in the region while France is withdrawing. Niger illustrates the fragility of progress in the region. After achieving the second-largest improvement in 2022, it experienced a reversal in the last two years, recording a 94% increase in terrorism deaths to 930 fatalities in 2024, the largest surge globally.”
The index also found that:
- IS expanded its operations to 22 countries and remains the deadliest organisation, causing 1,805 deaths, with 71% of its activity being in Syria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
- Tehrik-e-Taliban (TTP) emerged as the fastest-growing terrorist group with a 90% increase in attributed deaths.
- Deaths in sub-Saharan Africa (excluding the Sahel) are now at their lowest since 2016, dropping by 10%.
- Terrorist attacks jumped by 63% in the West with Europe was most affected where attacks doubled to 67.
- In 2024, several Western countries reported one in five terror suspects as under 18 with teenagers accounting for most IS-linked arrests in Europe.
- Seven Western countriesare in the first 50 most affected countries on the GTI.
- anti-Semitic and Islamophobic hate surged globally, with the US seeing a 200% rise in antisemitic incidents in 2024.
IEP executive chairperson Steve Killelea said this year’s index highlighted two key concerns.
The shift towards online radicalisation has enabled potential terrorists to access extremist content and organise with minimal physical contact. Algorithmic radicalisation on popular social media sites can drive users towards progressively more extreme content over time
— Steve Killelea, IEP executive chair
“First, 98% of all terrorist deaths occurred in conflict zones, with 2024 recording the highest number of conflicts since the end of the WWII. Second, social tensions and dissatisfaction within the West are fuelling lone actor terrorism. Ninety-three percent of all fatal terrorist attacks were caused by lone actors. The best way to control terrorism is to stop or reduce the number of conflicts. In addition, the Gaza conflict has been, and still is, a catalyst for anti-Semitism and Islamophobia,” he said.
He explained the majority of Western attacks were carried out by individuals without formal group affiliations, who radicalise through social media, gaming platforms and encrypted messaging apps.
“The shift towards online radicalisation has enabled potential terrorists to access extremist content and organise with minimal physical contact. Algorithmic radicalisation on popular social media sites can drive users towards progressively more extreme content over time.”
According to the index, the West saw its first major rise in terrorist incidents since 2017 with attacks increasing from 32 to 52.
“Sweden, Australia, Finland, the Netherlands, Denmark and Switzerland registered their first attacks in more than five years. Germany was Europe's worst-performing nation, placing 27th globally following the Magdeburg Christmas market attack.”
“In the UK, under-18s accounted for 42% of 219 terror arrests last year, reflecting a broader Western trend where youths account for one in five terror suspects. They typically lack ties to established groups and can combine contradictory extremist ideologies.”
IEP also found terrorist groups were rapidly leveraging emerging technologies, using AI, encrypted messaging and cryptocurrency to expand their operations.
“Intelligence agencies report IS has markedly expanded its digital arsenal, producing AI-enhanced video content and sophisticated online magazines in multiple languages.”
“The group deploys encrypted messaging platforms and cryptocurrency for fundraising, while using AI to create localised propaganda aimed at foreign targets. Their reach now spans from Central Asia to North America, demonstrating how digital platforms have reshaped terrorist recruitment and operations.”
“This technological evolution poses new challenges for security services, as extremists increasingly exploit encrypted apps and dark web forums for radicalisation and operational planning. AI also creates opportunities for intelligence services to analyse larger amounts of information, and detect radicalisation earlier.”
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