How Intelligence is Shaping Africa's Counterterrorism Strategies in Global Affairs
In an era where terrorism is evolving rapidly, Africa remains one of the most affected regions, particularly in the Sahel, the Horn of Africa, and parts of the Central and West Africa. While kinetic military operations continue to play a role in counterterrorism efforts, intelligence is emerging as the defining factor in shaping effective strategies.
From AI-powered surveillance to human intelligence (HUMINT) and intelligence-sharing networks. African nations are leveraging intelligence to stay ahead of terrorist groups like Boko Haram, Al-Shabaab, and the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP). But is it working? And how is intelligence shaping counterterrorism within Africa’s broader role in global security affairs?
The Role of Intelligence in Africa’s Counterterrorim Efforts
Terrorism in Africa is multifaceted. Unlike in other parts of the world, where lone-wolf attacks dominate. African terrorist organisations operate as well-structures insurgencies, controlling territories, taxing local populations, and waging prolonged conflicts against national governments. This requires a shift from reactive security responses to proactive intelligence-driven strategies.
1. Technological intelligence: AI, Drones, and Big Data Analytics
African security agencies are increasingly using advanced technologies to combat terrorism. Artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics play a crucial role in identifying patterns in terorrist financing, recuritment, and movement.
Kenya, for example, has integrated biometric technology and AI-driven surveillance to track terrorist movements across its borders. According to Colonel Yahya Mohamed, Deputy Director of Kenya’s National Counter Terrorism Centre:
“We are working closely with international allies to incorporate cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and data analytics to enhance our border security infrastructure.” (The Star Kenya)
Drones have also become a critical tool. In the Lake Chad Basin, the Nigerian military deploys Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) to gather real-time intelligence on Boko Haram movements. A report by the African Centre for Strategic Studies found that drone surveillance has contributed to a 65% reduction in Boko Haram’s operational mobility since 2021.
However, many African states still lack the capacity to produce or acquire high-tech intelligence tools, leading to heavy reliance on Western and Chinese technology providers.
2. Multi-agency intelligence collaboration: A turning point
One of the biggest shifts in Africa’s counterterrorism approach has been the integration of intelligence-sharing between different security agencies.
Traditionally, African law enforcement, military, and intelligence units operated in silos, making counterterrorism efforts fragmented and ineffective. However, the multi-agency model, successfully applied in Kenya, Nigeria, and Uganda, has significantly improved intelligence coordination.
For example, in Kenya, the National Police Service, Kenya Defence Forces, and National Intelligence Service (NIS) now collaborate under a joint intelligence-sharing framework, leading to more than 70% decrease in terror attacks between 2020 and 2023 (Nation Africa).
“The fight against terrorism is no longer just about weapons and soldiers. Intelligence - timely and actionable intelligence - is what makes the real difference.”
Major General (Rtd) Philip Kameru, Kenya’s Director-General of Intelligence
This approach is now being replicated in other parts of Africa, including Nigeria’s Operation Safe Corridor, which focuses on deradicalization, intelligence gathering, and reintegration of former militants.
3. Community-oriented intelligence: the Human factor
Beyond technology and inter-agency collaboration, human intelligence (HUMINT) remains Africa’s most valuable counterterrorism asset.
Terror groups like Al-Shabaab and Boko Haram thrive by blending into local communities. This makes community policing and intelligence gathering at the grassroots level critical in disrupting terrorist networks before they strike.
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) highlights that local communities are often the first line of defense:
“Community members are best placed to recognize suspicious activities in their areas - including those associated with radicalization and extremism.” (ISS Africa)
A good example is Somalia’s Danab Special Forces, which integrate local knowledge with military operations to track Al-Shabaab operatives. This strategy has resulted in successful intelligence-led raids that have weakened Al-Shabaab’s leadership in recent years.
Africa’s Counterterrorism in Global Affairs: Intelligence and International Cooperation
Africa’s counterterrorism strategy does not exist in a vacuum. The continent has become a crucial battleground in the global fight against terrorism, drawing in major international actors like the United States, France, Turkey, and China.
1. U.S. Military and Intelligence Support in Africa
The United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) continues to play a major role in intelligence gathering and counterterrorism operations in Africa.
Recently, the U.S. relocated aircraft and special operations forces to West Africa to counter increasing terrorist threats in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso.
“Our intelligence networks are working closely with African governments to disrupt terrorist financing, recruitment, and operational networks before they strike.” (Wall Street Journal)
- U.S. military officials
Furthermore, the U.S. has been launching targeted airstrikes against Al-Shabaab operatives in Somalia, demonstrating how intelligence-driven precision warfare is changing counterterrorism dynamics in Africa.
2. France and the Sahel: A Diminishing Role?
France has historically played a major role in counterterrorism intelligence in West Africa, particularly through Operation Barkhane. However, growing anti-French sentiment has led to a reduction in France’s military footprint, with countries like Mali and Burkina Faso expelling French forces in favor of partnerships with Russia’s Wagner Group.
This shift has created intelligence gaps, raising concerns about a resurgence of jihadist activity in the Sahel. According to the International Crisis Group (ICG), jihadist groups in Mali have expanded their territorial control by over 30% since 2022, partly due to weakened intelligence-sharing mechanisms.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While intelligence is shaping Africa’s counterterrorism strategies in powerful ways, challenges remain:
Weak intelligence infrastructure in some countries limits effectiveness.
Corruption within security agencies leads to intelligence leaks.
Human rights concerns arise from mass surveillance and profiling of communities.
Over-reliance on Western intelligence creates security dependencies.
For intelligence to be a long-term game-changer in African counterterrorism, governments must invest in:
Indigenous intelligence capabilities (AI-driven data analytics, drone technology, and cybersecurity).
Stronger legal frameworks to regulate intelligence operations while protecting civil liberties.
More regional intelligence-sharing mechanisms, particularly through the African Union’s Continental Early Warning System (CEWS).
Final Thoughts: The Intelligence War in Africa is Just Beginning
As terrorist organizations in Africa continue to adapt and expand their influence, intelligence will remain the most critical weapon in counterterrorism efforts.
The future of Africa’s security will not be decided solely on the battlefield; it will be determined in intelligence rooms, where surveillance footage, intercepted communications, and local informant reports shape counterterrorism decisions.
With stronger intelligence infrastructure, better coordination, and ethical oversight, Africa’s counterterrorism efforts can shift from reactive military campaigns to proactive intelligence-driven security frameworks, ensuring not just national security but also regional stability in global affairs.
About the Author: Jasleen Gill is an International Relations graduate with a minor in Criminal Justice and concentration in Peace and Conflict studies, with a strong focus on security, diplomacy, and conflict resolution. Passionate about global governance, humanitarian action, and intelligence analysis, she explores the dynamics of war, peacebuilding, and international security, with a particular interest in Africa’s evolving role in global affairs.
Intelligence is crucial to not just win wars, but also build and maintain peace. It was thanks to mobilization of the OSINT community that Ukraine was able to conduct offensives in Kherson Kharkiv, and Kursk. Similarly, iintelligence has opened up several opportunities for African Counterterrorist operations, assisting in Agencies to narrow down their focus onto the best cost-to-return strategies.