Africa secured seven spots among the top ten global recipients of U.S. foreign assistance in fiscal year 2025, with Ethiopia leading the continent at $920 million, according to data from Visual Capitalist and ForeignAssistance.gov. The figures track funds actually disbursed during the fiscal year rather than newly approved allocations, highlighting deep humanitarian footprints across East, Central, and West Africa even as global funding priorities shifted toward Ukraine following Russia’s 2022 invasion.
Ethiopia and the Democratic Republic of Congo Lead Continental Disbursements
Ethiopia ranked fourth globally and first in Africa, pulling in $920 million in fiscal year 2025. ForeignAssistance.gov records show that virtually all of this backing arrived as nonmilitary aid, addressing severe food insecurity, population displacement, and mounting health emergencies across the country. That heavy volume places Ethiopia directly behind Ukraine, Israel, and Jordan in worldwide U.S. funding totals.
Just behind is the Democratic Republic of Congo, which received $750 million to rank fifth globally and second in Africa. Approximately 99% of that funding was classified as nonmilitary assistance. Prolonged armed conflict and persistent insecurity in the eastern provinces continue to drive massive humanitarian needs for displaced populations.
Nigeria, Sudan, and Kenya Receive Major Humanitarian Funding
Nigeria absorbed $730 million in fiscal year 2025, taking third place in Africa and sixth globally. That assistance targeted health initiatives, development programs, and humanitarian operations alongside smaller security components, reinforcing ties with one of the continent’s largest economies.
Sudan secured $709 million as the fourth-largest African recipient and seventh globally. Civil conflict that erupted in 2023 displaced millions, forcing U.S. allocations to concentrate heavily on emergency food, shelter, and medical support rather than military backing.
Kenya received $655 million, placing fifth in Africa and eighth worldwide. Around 96% of Kenya’s funding went toward nonmilitary efforts, while roughly $27 million was categorized as military assistance, according to the Pew Research Center. Kenya functions as a key regional partner in East Africa, balancing emergency relief with long-term institutional development.
Mozambique, Uganda, and South Sudan Manage Deep Regional Crises
Mozambique gathered $584 million in fiscal year 2025, ranking sixth regionally and ninth globally. Nearly $575 million of that total was recorded as nonmilitary aid, countering poverty, natural disasters, and ongoing displacement tied to conflict in the northern province of Cabo Delgado.
Uganda absorbed $513 million, making up the seventh-largest African recipient and 10th globally, with 98% classified as nonmilitary. The funding addresses domestic development and health alongside large refugee populations fleeing neighboring conflicts.
South Sudan collected $507 million, placing eighth in Africa and 11th worldwide. Years of internal instability and food insecurity sustain high dependency on international aid for basic healthcare and survival.
Somalia and Tanzania Complete the Top Ten Global Recipients
Somalia received $498 million in fiscal year 2025, ranking ninth on the continent and 12th globally. Decades of political instability, militant threats, and climate shocks sustain high demand for ongoing international relief.
Tanzania rounded out the top tier with $480 million, placing 10th in Africa and 15th worldwide as the final African nation in the global top 15, per ForeignAssistance.gov data. Support there spans health initiatives and broader development programs tied to its strategic role in East Africa.
Humanitarian Crises Drive High Aid Volumes to Ethiopia and Sudan
What percentage of U.S. foreign aid to African nations is military versus nonmilitary?
The vast majority of disbursements to the top African recipients consist of nonmilitary aid. Countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique received high percentages of their funding as nonmilitary assistance, while Kenya recorded roughly $27 million in military assistance out of $655 million.
Why are countries like Ethiopia and Sudan receiving such high volumes of assistance?
Disbursements are closely tied to severe humanitarian crises, including widespread food insecurity, active internal conflicts, and the displacement of millions of people. Sudan’s funding surged following the outbreak of fighting in 2023, while Ethiopia faces food insecurity, displacement, and health challenges.
How do fiscal year 2025 disbursements differ from new aid approvals?
The figures tracked by Visual Capitalist reflect funds actually disbursed and delivered to recipient nations during fiscal year 2025, rather than new spending packages newly authorized or pledged by the U.S. government during that annual cycle.
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