The administration of U.S. President has identified West Africa as one of the key regions in the global fight against terrorism, warning that extremist groups are increasingly shifting their operations to parts of Africa.
The position was outlined in the newly released 2026 United States Counterterrorism Strategy, which described sections of Africa as regions facing a “resurgent terror threat.”
According to the document, remnants of some of the world’s most dangerous terrorist organisations have relocated to Africa and Central Asia, taking advantage of ungoverned territories to strengthen their activities.
The strategy specifically named West Africa, the Sahel, the Lake Chad Basin, Mozambique, Sudan and Somalia as areas experiencing rising extremist threats.
Nigeria, which shares the Lake Chad Basin with neighbouring countries, has continued to battle insurgencies linked to Boko Haram and ISWAP for over a decade.
The Trump administration blamed the worsening security situation in parts of Africa on what it described as failed counterterrorism policies under former President .
The document stated that the United States now has two major objectives in Africa — preventing jihadist groups from establishing operational bases capable of launching attacks against America and its allies, and protecting Christians targeted by extremist organisations.
In a notable reference to Nigeria, the strategy highlighted recent actions taken by Trump over attacks on Christians in the country.
It quoted the U.S. president as saying on Christmas Day in 2025 that terrorists responsible for killings of Christians had been warned there would be severe consequences if the violence continued.
The strategy also indicated that the United States would maintain a limited military presence in Africa while expanding cooperation with governments fighting insurgency and terrorism.
According to the document, Washington plans to continue working closely with countries threatened by ISIS and al-Qaeda-linked groups.
In December 2025, the U.S. military carried out coordinated airstrikes against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria. Nigerian authorities confirmed that the operation, conducted in Sokoto State between December 25 and 26, was jointly approved and executed by both countries as part of ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
