In the Beninese Armed Forces, the list of civilian and military personnel is well known and annually updated in the event of new recruitment, resignation or otherwise. It is held by the Department of human resources [1]. It should be noted that the Institute of Statistics makes the effort to produce a statistical document of the number of civil servants, but the number of military personnel does not appear because of security reason [2]. Indeed, due to reasons of security of the national territory, it is not safe that the number of military personnel is revealed, because this leads any ill-intentioned individuals to have their way to the Beninese Armed Forces. A risk that a souvereign State should not take. Furthermore, there is an internal unit in charge of controlling the effectiveness of the names on the list. It is an ID-based-control [2].

Information related to the number of militray personnel is not published. [1] Security reasons are often put forward to explain this lack of transparency, particularly looking at the current security situation Benin is facing [2] [3].

The military has not been presented with the problem of ghost soldiers in the last five years. This is justified by the fact that even if the number is not made public, the control of the number of personnel is carried out on a regular basis, when the personnel is taking office, and also during the exercise of the mandate [1]. The control is done annually by cross checking the list and the identity card of the personnel. Moreover, there is the rating system which also occurs once a year. In accordance with article 60, no soldier is rated in a unit or service if he or she has not served effectively and continuously for six months within the unit or service. The rating is carried out with complete objectivity [2].

No official information is provided on this subject . Originally, the Burundian army was supposed to be made up of twenty-five thousand men. Today, however, the figure has changed considerably and it is becoming difficult to specify the number of military and civilian personnel in Burundi’s national defence force There is a silence, particularly about the number of military personnel in the Burundian army,[1]. Even the civilian servants in charge of human resources find it difficult to give precise figures.[1][2]. No official information is provided on this subject [2].

Military and civilian personnel figures are never published. [1][2]

In recent years, it has been suggested that the volume of salaries paid to the army is higher than that actually paid to soldiers in the Burundian army. This can be explained by the fact that there are reports of non-military civilians or members of rebel movements operating in the sub-region working alongside the military .[1] [2] [3]

The number of civilian and military personnel in Cameroon is not accurately known or publicly accessible. Transparency in the defense sector is minimal, with personnel data treated as highly sensitive and shielded from public scrutiny or independent verification. Official documents, such as defense budgets or national reports, omit detailed and reliable statistics, reflecting a lack of institutional accountability [1] [2]. The government justifies this secrecy under the pretext of national security, particularly in response to ongoing conflicts in the Far North and Anglophone regions. Access to defense sector data is highly restricted, and audits are not feasible, further entrenching opacity [2]. Even within the Ministry of Defense, fragmented systems and weak oversight mechanisms undermine the integrity of personnel records, as confirmed by a senior ministry official in Yaoundé [2].

In Cameroon, the number of civilian and military personnel is neither accurately known nor publicly accessible [1]. Transparency in the defense sector is extremely low, with personnel data considered sensitive and withheld from public scrutiny . Official documents, including budgets, omit specific personnel statistics, reflecting a lack of accountability and the fraudulent recruitment practices, including nepotism and bribery, further taint the process [2] The government cites security concerns related to ongoing conflicts in the North-West, South-West, and Far North regions as reasons for this opacity. No independent body has full access to personnel data, and restrictions on access limit audits by organizations like the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), entrenching mismanagement [3].

While “ghost soldiers” are often cited as a major issue in many contexts, no official evidence of such personnel exists within the Cameroonian military have been found. However, issues related to payroll discrepancies and challenges in reconciling actual personnel records with payroll data persist, [1]. Personnel data is treated as highly classified under the justification of national security, especially in light of ongoing conflicts in regions like the Far North and the Anglophone regions. While some opacity may be justified for operational security, the complete lack of transparency prevents independent verification and fosters opportunities for corruption [2]. However, civil society organizations and oversight bodies, including the National Anti-Corruption Commission (CONAC), highlight systemic corruption and administrative inefficiencies, such as “ghost soldiers” on payrolls, fraudulent recruitment practices, and discrepancies in personnel records [3] [4]

The number of personnel in the Ministry of Defence and the armed forces is not officially published. In 2015, the military programming law for 2016-2020 indicated that the personnel totalled 24,300, excluding the gendarmerie, but the programming law has not been updated since [1, 2].

Côte d’Ivoire does not officially and systematically disclose the strength of its forces. However, this remains common practice because the country’s security is at stake and defence secrecy takes precedence over any desire for transparency. Estimates may nevertheless appear in certain official documents such as military programming laws, but not in the last five years [1, 2, 3].

There are no statistics on ghost soldiers, although deserters are sometimes identified. There is no indication that the country has faced the problem of ghost soldiers in the last five years [1, 2].

There is no public information on the number of military personnel within the Ghana Armed Forces. Available data from the World Bank, however, estimates Ghana’s military size to be 16,000 personnel, with the latest update in 2020. (1) (2). The 16,000 personnel, as stated, is an estimate by the World Bank as of 2020, which is the latest. There are, however, no government sources to verify this since it is not publicly available.

Information on the number of Civilian and Military Personnel are not made available publicly. (1)(2)

Recent reports have raised concerns about the possibility of “ghost soldiers” within the Ghana Armed Forces—a phenomenon where payments are made to individuals who do not actually exist or are no longer serving in the military. This issue has significant implications for financial accountability and transparency within the armed forces. (1) A 2022 media report highlighted several red flags, including audits of missing required signatures, suggesting potential efforts to inflate the personnel roster. Such inflation could be aimed at fraudulently accessing peacekeeping funds, which are often allocated based on the number of deployed personnel. (2)

The numbers are accurately kept by the Public Service Commission (PSC) and published annually in the Status of Compliance with values and Principles in Articles 10 and 232 of the Constitution [1].

Partial data is publicly available: macroeconomic trackers indicate Kenya had around 24,000 armed forces personnel in 2020 [1]. However, this is data collected by the World Bank, and not officially disclosed by the government. Meanwhile, the PSC noted that the MoD has 95.5% non technical staff and 1.5% technical staff. The PSC also notes that they are under-established meaning they are understaffed [2].
Therefore, staffing data is published, but aggregated and lacking clarity on the split between military and civilian roles, and with no recent comprehensive breakdown.

Kenya hasn’t had issues with ghost soldiers domestically [1]. However, a UN audit in 2021 revealed that cash awarded to Kenya for fighting Al-Shabaab militia in Somalia for the half-year period through December 2020 fell by Sh8 billion after an audit uncovered unauthorised payments to ghost soldiers [2].

The Ministry of National Defense collects data on personnel. While the data collected are reported to be accurate, it is often used internally and not shared with the general public.[1] In part, this strategy is meant to conceal data that might otherwise reveal the strength of the military or defence sector.
Therefore, personnel-related data is considered classified. The total number of civilian staff and military personnel are regularly updated but remain classified.[2]

The strength of the military as well as civilian staff is not publicly disclosed by the MoD.[1][2] Armed forces personnel, total in Liberia, were reported at 2000 in 2020, according to the World Bank[3] and the CIA World Factbook indicated over 2,000 active troops in 2023,[4] but this is only an estimate as the MoD does not regularly publish them in its reports.

The issue of ghost employees was present in Liberia public sector for years including the security and defence.[1] The AFL in 2005 was dissolved and rebuilt from scratch, unlike the Liberia National Police(LNP), which was reformed. This meant a fresh new process of recruitment led to the rebuilding of the AFL. Old soldiers who were desirous of re-enlisting had to reapply like everyone else. The recruitment process was rigorous, involving thorough vetting to eliminate individuals with histories of human rights abuses or criminal activity.[2]
This process cleaned up the system of ghost soldiers which set clear and achievable numerical targets of men and women in arms. The initial target of a 2,000-strong force was achieved, and the new AFL has since maintained strict personnel accountability measures, including routine roll calls and headcounts, making it difficult for ghost names to persist.[3] This meticulous approach ensured that only qualified individuals were enlisted, eliminating the issue of ghost soldiers within the AFL.[4]
While ghost employees remain a challenge in Liberia’s broader public sector,[5] the AFL’s complete restructuring and stringent recruitment protocols have somehow eradicated this issue within the military.

A Department in charge of staffing exists within the Human Resources Department. It has a “Statistical Study Division” which is responsible for the statistical analysis of personnel from the Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces. It ensures the collation of data obtained from the entities making up the Armed Forces, the archiving of data, staff reviews and processes all encrypted personnel information [1]. However, the Ministry does not communicate on the statistics of its civilian and military personnel [2]. The Ministry of Labor, Employment and Public Service had published the distribution of all Malagasy civil servants according to their ministry of assignment except for the Ministry of Defense [2].

The Ministry of Defense does not release statistics on its civilian and military personnel to the public. The subject is considered sensitive [1] [2]. Moreover, The Ministry of Defense does not specifically have people in charge of human resources. At present, they do not have exact statistics on the numbers of civilian and military personnel, but they did not mention that this information was confidential [3].

Officially, the armed forces have not communicated on the problem of “ghost soldiers”. However, everything suggests that they exist. According to statements by the authorities, nearly 40,000 civil servants, including military personnel, are ghosts [1][2].

The number of civlian and military personnel is not officially disclosed as it is classified as defence secrets. According to World Bank data, the number of military personnel was estimated at 41,000 in 2020.[1][2]

The figure for civilian personnel is not known, or at least has not been made available to the public.[1][2]

With a view to setting up a system of bank accounts for officers and men in the ranks, the Ministry of Finance has identified more than 3,000 ghosts or fictitious soldiers in April 2024. In a comparison between the figures given by the Commissariat and those of the Ministry of Defence as part of its aid to the Malian army, the European Union found a difference of 6,541 in the number of soldiers in the Malian armed forces.[1][2]

The number of civilian and military personnel is not accurately known or officially collected since the issue related to civilian and military personnel is classified as secret under the State Secrets Law [1]. The Statute of the Armed Forces of Defence of Mozambique, approved by Decree No. 20/2018, of April 26, presents the categories and positions: general officers, senior officers, junior officers, sergeants and enlisted rank soldiers [2].

The number of civilian and military personnel is not accurately known or officially collected because aspects related to civilian and military personnel is classified as secret under the State Secrets Law [1]. The Statute of the Armed Forces of Defence of Mozambique, approved by Decree No. 20/2018, of April 26, presents the categories and positions: general officers, senior officers, junior officers, sergeants and enlisted rank soldiers [2]. Every year, through a press conference led by the Ministry of National Defence, the number of people registered through the military census process is presented, but the number of recruits remains a secret. For example, in 2024, 280,787 young people were registered throughout the national territory and in the diaspora [3].

Ghost soldiers have been a problem for the military for the past five years and the matter was reported by opposition MPs in the Assembly of the Republic in May 2022 [1] and by the Inspectorate-General of Defence and the Vice-Minister of Economy and Finance in August 2023 [2]. Reports suggest that between 6,000 and 7,000 ghost soldiers—amounting to an estimated 30% to 50% of the army—were receiving salaries without serving in the military, leading to significant financial losses and operational inefficiencies [1]. To curb this issue, the government has introduced measures such as the Electronic Financial Management Systems [3] and the National Electronic Human Resources Management System of the State known as e-SNGRH [4]. Additionally, the implementation of the mandatory “Proof of Life” mechanism aims to enhance control over personnel records. Under this system, state employees and agents must physically appear at registration centers annually, during their birth month, to update their records and verify their employment status [4].

The number of military and civilian personnel in Niger is partially available to the public, but only in an aggregated and summarized format. Information regarding recruitment numbers, training efforts, and future personnel expansion plans has been publicly disclosed by official government sources, including the Ministry of Defense’s website and statements from senior officials. In an interview with the Minister of Defense, General Salifou Mody, it was revealed that 12,792 new personnel had been recruited, and 18,377 personnel received specialized training in areas such as health, telecommunications, engineering, and electronics. He also highlighted that, despite international embargoes, Niger managed to increase recruitment and training by 66% compared to 2023 [1]. Additionally, official government sources indicate that Niger has a long-term strategy to expand the military’s strength. A law on the status of the Army, adopted by the National Assembly in November 2020, outlines a phased increase in military personnel. According to the plan, the armed forces were set to expand from 25,000 personnel in 2020 to 50,000 by 2025, and ultimately to 100,000 by 2030 [2]. While this information is publicly available through government sources and official statements, there is no evidence of a regularly published and detailed breakdown of personnel numbers, such as force distribution, composition by rank, or differentiation between civilian and military personnel in defense budgets or official reports. The lack of consistently updated and disaggregated data means that only aggregated figures are shared with the public. Since aggregated and summarized personnel figures are disclosed through official government sources, but detailed, regularly updated, and comprehensive breakdowns remain unavailable.

Since the Ministry of Defense officially discloses summarized and aggregated figures about personnel numbers, but detailed, disaggregated data (e.g., by rank, unit, or specific functions) is not publicly available. [1] [2]

Given a relatively small size of the army, the large-scale phenomenon does not seem plausible. However, it cannot be denied that theoretically, “ghost” soldiers could exist. The ongoing security crisis in Niger, marked by terrorist attacks and insurgent activities, has resulted in high numbers of military casualties [1]. However, the government does not consistently publish accurate casualty figures, especially after the military coup, when transparency deteriorated further. SInce the military took control, public access to information regarding military operations and personnel has diminished [2]. The abolition of oversight mechanisms, including the dissolution of the National Assembly, means there is no independent body to verify personnel numbers, recruitment, or attrition. The lack of transparent communication prevents scrutiny over military payroll records, increasing the likelihood that names of deceased or non-existent soldiers remain on payrolls to divert funds. Due to widespread opacity in reporting military deaths, the absence of independent oversight, and historical cases of financial mismanagement in the defense sector, the likelihood of ghost soldiers being an issue in the past five years is high.

The number of civilian and military personnel in Nigeria is not accurately known or officially collected. The total armed forces personnel in Nigeria were reported at 223000 in 2022 [1]. While the total number of military personnel are often estimated or mentioned by the Minister of Defence, it is almost impossible to ascertain the exact or estimated number of civilian personnel in the ministry due to prevalence of ghost workers in Nigeria’s civil service [2]

Despite the introduction of the Nigerian Army Biometrics Enrolment Exercise (NABEE) in 2009, and the subsequent incorporation of the military into the IPPIS [1], there has not been disclosures of the exact numerical strength of military and civilian personnel of the Ministry of Defence. Information on the number of civilian and military personnel are not made publicly available. At best, what is available on the website of the ministry of defence is services and units that are under the military and civilian component of the ministry [2].

In the past, the phenomenon of ghost soldiers was reported in the Nigerian military, especially during the height of Boko Haram insurgency (between 2012-2015). However, in 2021, The Economist accused the Nigerian military of having considerable number of ghost soldiers who only exist on its payroll [1]. The military was quick to debunk the report as misleading and non-factual [2]. Although there is no recently reported case of ghost soldiers in the Nigerian military in the past five years, the Nigerian Army, Navy, Airforce and the Police as well the intelligence agencies, were among federal government agencies directed by the House of Representatives Ad hoc Committee probing employment racketeering and gross mismanagement of the IPPIS to appear before it on August 2, 2023 [3].

Senegal’s military personnel include around 15,000 in the army, 1,500 in the navy, 1,500 in the air force, 9,500 in the national police force and 11,000 in the gendarmerie. However, the figures are only published by external sources and not by official sources. [1] [2] [3]

There is no official source providing the number of military and civilian in the senegalese armed forces. Most unofficial sources of information on the number of soldiers in a country’s army are unreliable because they are classified as defence secrets. [1] [2]

There is no evidence suggesting the existence of ghost soldiers in Senegal over the last five years. [1] [2]

Personnel numbers are published annually in the Department of Defence’s Annual Report according to programmes as recorded in the Department’s human resource management system and can generally be considered accurate. [1] This score is given on the basis of annual reporting.

Personnel numbers are available across the Department of Defence’s programmes in the Department’s Annual Report. Although, personnel numbers are disaggregated by salary bands, disaggregated information on personnel numbers by ranks generally cannot be determined from this information. [1]

Aavailable evidence suggests South Africa’s Defence Force does not have a systemic ‘ghost soldier’ problem. The DoD’s payroll is audited annually by the Auditor-General without flagging inflated personnel numbers. [1]
A single isolated case was reported in 2025, where six individuals were arrested for defrauding the SANDF of R11 million through false payroll claims. This indicates an isolated criminal event, followed by an investigation, rather than an institutional practice. [2]

There is an overall concern over ghost workers in South Sudan public service. [1] In the Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs, the lack of accuracy is best exposed using information from the ministry of defence. In its own website, the ministry states that ‘As of 2018, the SPLA was estimated to have 185,000 soldiers as well as an unknown number of personnel in the small South Sudan Air Force.’ [2] Not only is the data on the ministry’s website dated, it also admits to have an unknow number of personnel within its ranks.

The Ministry of Defence has summarised on its website the number of its personnel, estimating the number to be 180,000 as of 2018. [1] These figures have likely changed with the inclusion of former opposition fighters into the military. [2] Also, the accurate number of military and civilian personnel are not readily available to the public. The argument provided by the unity government against the provision of the number of security personnel publicly relates to national security and mistrust between the government and the opposition. The opposition also failed to provide accurate number and disposition of their forces ahead of cantonment, screening, selection and training for unification as provided for under the R-ARCSS.

Overall, the number of people working in South Sudan’s public sector is unclear. There has been allegations of ghost workers syphoning millions of dollars from the payroll without any services rendered. [1] [2]

The number of personnel on the UPDF is not publicly disclosed for security reasons [1]. However, the number of active personnel is estimated to be around 40,000- 40,000 and the reserve personnel is approximately 10,000- 20,000. Uganda’s military comprises the Uganda People’s Defence Force (UPDF), which includes the army, air force, and navy. As of 2021, the estimated size of the UPDF was around 45,000 active personnel, with an additional 35,000 reserves [2].

The number of personnel on the UPDF is not publicly disclosed for security reasons, but estimates f active and reserve personnel for the UPDF. are mentioned on the official website. [1] [2]

There are reports and allegations of ghost soldiers in the UPDF. President Museveni while on a tour of Karamoja region was confronted with new reports of an inflated army nominal roll, commonly referred to as ghost soldiers. The matter came up for debate during a two-day Defence Forces Council meeting at Morulinga State Lodge in Moroto. There are claims of non-existent personnel on the payroll. Soldiers who have deserted or are absent without leave continue to receive pay. However, the UPDF authority is vigilant and it is addressing the question of the ghost soldiers. [1] [2]

The exact number of civilians and military personnel within the defence forces is not accurately known [1] [2]. In military terms, this is referred to as ‘strength,’ which denotes the total number of personnel within the institution [1] [2]. Several challenges hinder the accurate number of military personnel. The data is manually compiled at the unit level, then submitted to the Brigade, which consolidates the strength from multiple units. This consolidated number is subsequently sent to Army Headquarters, where the final aggregation of strength from various brigades is conducted [3]. Errors can occur at any stage of this process—at the battalion level, brigade level, or even at Army Headquarters [3].

Information about the number of military personnel and civilians, is not made public [1,2]. None of the public members know how many military personnel and civilians are serving in the defence forces [3]. The idea of not sharing information about strength is viewed as a security issue [3].

Ghost soldiers remain an issue in the military [1]. Soldiers continue to be marked present in the battalion roll call/register, by mere battalion clerks yet the soldier is no longer serving [2]. Some soldiers might go on Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL) and continue to receive their full salaries [2]. But importantly, an issue of concern is that the Army Data Processing Unit (ADPU) and the Zimbabwe Army Pay and Records, where soldiers salaries are done, may continue paying soldiers who are no longer serving the army and collect their money from the bank [2].