Benin signed the Army Trade Treaty (ATT) on 3 June 2013, at the opening signing ceremony in New York. It then ratified the treaty on 7 November 2016 [1] [2].

Benin has taken significant measures to comply with the three ATT articles and contribute to a more responsible and regulated arms trade. For example, it has established a focal point at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. There is also the creation of a body responsible for the coordination and management of the Arms Trade Treaty. This is the National Commission for the Fight against the Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons (CNLCPAL). This commission carries out, among other things, awareness-raising and training activities for national actors concerned by the ATT, such as law enforcement, customs and civil society [1]. The country also a law has which sets the regime for arms, ammunition and other related materials [2]. Benin has also set up an export control system for conventional arms to ensure that they are not transferred to destinations where they could be used to commit violations of human rights or international humanitarian law [3].

Our desk research and interviews confirm that Benin is not an arm exporter. Benin has no arms manufacturing facilities [1] [2]. Therefore, this sub-indicator is scored as Not Applicable.

Burundi has just signed the Arms Trade Treaty on June 3, 2013 but has not yet ratified it. [1] [2]

Burundi has not yet ratified the ATT, therefore this indicator is marked as Not Applicable. [1]

Burundi is not an arms exporter, therefore this sub-indicator is scored as Not Applicable.[1]

Cameroon signed the Arms Trade Treaty on 03 December 2014 and ratified it on 18 June 2018.[1] It is legally binding on states that have signed and ratified the treaty. The aim of the treaty is to establish common standards for the international transfer of conventional arms. It is important to note that this treaty results from lessons learned from the devastating effects of the Cold War. It was established in the early 1990s to combat the proliferation of conventional weapons.[2] It is important to note that weak legislation on the arms trade hinders socio-economic development. Africa loses around 18 billion dollars to armed violence, which is equivalent to the total annual development aid for the continent. As an Oxfam report points out, armed conflict typically reduces an Africa nation’s economy by about 15%.[3] However, it is important to note that the treaty appears to concern arms-exporting countries much more.

Despite searches from research participants and open sources, there is insufficient evidence to assess the compliance of Cameroon with the three articles of the ATT. [1][2]

Cameroon is not an arms exporter; therefore, this sub-indicator is scored as Not Applicable.[1]

The country signed the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on 3 June 2013 and ratified it on 26February 2015. [1]

The government has adopted a strategy for reforming the national security sector based on all dimensions of human security. In accordance with the provisions of the Arms Trade Treaty, Côte d’Ivoire has so far submitted all its annual reports. In the context of the safe and secure management of arms and ammunition stockpiles, our country has taken a number of measures, including the construction and rehabilitation of defence and security force armouries, capacity building for arms and ammunition stockpile managers, the marking of armed forces weapons and the establishment of databases on arms and ammunition, in accordance with the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms, Light Weapons, Their Ammunition and Other Related Materials [1] [2].

Côte d’Ivoire is not an arms exporter [1]. This sub-indicator is therefore rated ‘Not applicable’.

Ghana has signed the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on 24th September 2013. Ghana’s parliament ratified the treaty on 22nd December 2015, with the treaty entering into force 90 days later. (1) (2) (3))

Ghana does not export arms; therefore, the compliance to article 7.1.iv will not be applicable to Ghana. (1) The country has complied with article 11.5 that emphasises the importance of cooperation to prevent the diversion of arms and compliance with article 15.6. Ghana has therefore taken several measures in curbing the smuggling of arms through its territory by making arrests and seizing weapons. (2) The Ghana Revenue Authority in September 2021 seized some arms at the Jubilee terminal at Tema; this is a demonstration of Ghana’s commitment to the ATT. (3) Despite cases where it has been reported that some parts of Ghana are used as routes for the smuggling of arms. (4)

Ghana is not an arm exporter according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) data fact sheet, and therefore this sub-indicator is scored as Not Applicable. (1)

Kenya is not a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty [1]. In 2006, Kenya was among the six member states that co-authored the initial UN resolution and declared public support for the Treaty [2]. There is existing evidence to suggest there are loopholes in Kenya not being a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty. Small and light weapons remain binding constraint in Kenya as it fuels banditry [5].
In 2020, Odipo and former Cabinet Secretary were allegedly charged for fake arms deal [3]. They allegedly impersonated a miltary officer. In March 2024, the courts extended time for the former Cabinet Secretary, Hon. Echesa to appear in the Ksh.39 billion fake arms treaty [4].

While Kenya is not a signatory of the Arms Trade Treaty, it has made significant progress in the region such as committing to marking official firearms and ammunition [1]. The National Police has marked 98% of its firearm stock while the Kenya Defence Forces is at 70% [2]. In particular, Kenya seems to be working on Article 3 and 11 of the ATT, despite not being a party. In 2020, President Uhuru Kenyatta destroyed 5,144 illicit firearms that had been recovered illegally [3].

Kenya is not considered a significant arms exporter according to SIPRI [1]. However, Kenya does engage in limited domestic arms production and may export small quantities, particularly to meet local security needs and potentially to neighboring markets [2].
Kenya has developed a National Action Plan (NAP) for SALW spearheaded by the Secretariat team on Kenya National Focal Point on Illicit Small Arms and Light Weapons. Equally, the government has adopted community policing officially.
Kenya launched a Sh4 billion Gun factory in Ruiru in 2021, which seeks to lower the cost of acquiring weapons for security agencies and enhance a sustainable national security industrial base that creates jobs for the Kenyan youth. The factory has a single-shift annual production capacity of 12,000 assault rifles [3].

Liberia signed the ATT 4 June 2013, ratified it 21 Apr 2015, and the ATT entered into force 20 July 2015.[1]

Liberia was the first ECOWAS member state to fully domesticate the ATT by amending its Firearms and Ammunition Control Act of 2015 to align with the Treaty’s provisions. This amendment expanded the scope of the law beyond small arms and light weapons to encompass all conventional arms as required under Article 2 (Scope) of the ATT. Additionally, the Liberia National Commission on Small Arms (LiNCSA) was restructured into the Liberia National Commission on Arms (LiNCA), granting it a broader mandate to oversee all arms control activities in the country.[1] This reform reflects compliance with Article 5 (General Implementation System), which requires States Parties to establish and maintain a national control system covering the full scope of the Treaty.
In March 2024, Liberia hosted the Monrovia Workshop, the first pan-African platform aimed at enhancing the universalisation and effective implementation of the ATT. The workshop, organised in partnership with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR) and supported by the ATT Voluntary Trust Fund, brought together representatives from 19 African states. Discussions focused on sharing experiences, identifying challenges, and proposing effective measures for ATT implementation.[2]
Liberia has actively participated in international forums related to the ATT. Notably, the country presented a report on its ATT implementation progress during the Tenth Conference of States Parties to the ATT in August 2024 in Geneva, Switzerland, in collaboration with UNIDIR.[3] This is consistent with Article 13 (Reporting), which requires States Parties to provide annual reports on authorised or actual imports and exports of conventional arms.
Despite these advancements, Liberia continues to face challenges in fully operationalising its arms control mechanisms. Issues such as limited resources, the need for continuous capacity building, and ensuring effective enforcement of the amended laws remain areas requiring attention.

Liberia has established the National Arms Commission. Though the arms embargo have been lifted since 2016, legislative oversight on arms has not evolved to the point of arms export.[1][2] The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) Arms Transfers Database, covering major conventional weapons transfers from 1950 to 2024, does not list Liberia as a notable exporter of major arms. This indicates that Liberia has not engaged in significant formal arms export activities in recent years.[3] The Norwegian Initiative on Small Arms Transfers (NISAT) database, which documents authorised small arms and light weapons transfers from 1962 to 2015, does not record any significant arms exports from Liberia during that period. It is important to note that the NISAT database has not been updated since 2017, and therefore lacks data beyond 2015.[4]

Madagascar signed the ATT on 25th September 2013, and ratified it on 22nd September 2016. The treaty entered into force on 21st December 2016. [1] [2]

Since the ratification, the country has endeavored to comply with the various articles of the ATT. For instance, Madagascar condemns the use of cluster munitions and calls for a ban on their manufacture. [3] The country ws as also been planning to create the National Weapons Commission of Madagascar (CONAMAD) with responsibility for weapons management but no information has been found on its actual creation [5] Moreover, Madagascar does not export any weapons . [1][2] The government of Madagascar submits annual reports on its exportations and importations of classical weapons based on the requirement of article 13(3). The 2023 report shows no imports nor exports of weapons declared.[4]

Madagascar does not export any weapons [1][2]. Therefore, this sub-indicator is scored as Not Applicable.

Mali voted for the adoption of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), signed on 3 June 2013, and ratified it on 63 December 2013.[1] The Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs recently announced on July 4, 2024 before the National Transitional Council that Mali had finalised an agreement for the manufacture of ammunition and the assembly of armoured vehicles on Malian territory.[2][3][4][5]

Mali has recently strengthened its legal framework in the fight against illicit manufacturing and trafficking of firearms [1]. In addition to the 2004 law,[2] a national action plan for the period 2014-2018 already existed in addition to some fairly interesting literature.[3] This adoption by the CNT provides the country with new legislation on firearms and ammunition, more aligned with existing international and regional instruments in this area, such as the Firearms Protocol, as well as the ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW). This act represents the culmination of Mali’s significant efforts in the implementation of its international commitments in the fight against the illicit manufacturing and trafficking, as well as the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, a real scourge in the Sahel countries. These legislations also tackle transparency and other related aspects.

Mali is not an arms exporter, so this sub-indicator is scored Not Applicable.[1] [2]

On 3 June 2013, Mozambique signed the ATT Treaty [1]; on 14 December 2018, it deposited the Treaty [1]; and by Resolution No. 11/2018 of 27 June. It ratified the Arms Trade Treaty, adopted by Resolution A/RES/67/234B of the United Nations General Assembly on 2 April 2013 [2].

Since the ratification of the ATT in 2018, Mozambique has not yet submitted an Annual Report [1]. Between 2013 and 2019, Mozambique experienced political-military tension, a low-intensity war in the central region involving the Government and RENAMO and since 2017 it has been carrying out counter-insurgency military operations in Cabo Delgado against a terrorist insurgent group with links to the Islamic State [2]. This means that Mozambique may have received imports of defence products that have not been publicly confirmed, to face these threats [3]. In 2017, the Krool Report indicated that defence products supplied to three companies, EMATUM, Mozambique Asset Management – MAM and PROINDICUS, owned by the Defence and Security Forces, were received for the protection of Mozambique’s Exclusive Economic Zone [4]. To face the terrorist insurgency in Cabo Delgado, the Mozambican Defence and Security Forces have received support from SADC, the European Union, Rwanda, the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates and other partners, which allows for transfers of weapons and other defence products [3]. In January 2023, it was reported that a Russian ship carrying weapons for Tanzania was refuelling at the Beira Fishing Port [5]. Therefore, Mozambique has not yet submitted an annual report, but there is an intense dynamic of transfer of defence products [3].

Mozambique is not a weapons producer yet, but Article 8 of the regulation on defence products, approved by Decree No. 34/2007 of 10 August, establishes that the State promotes and encourages the national production of equipment for the Defence and Security Forces, including the production of defence products, which includes weapons [1]. Article 30 of this legal instrument states that the Republic of Mozambique must periodically notify the United Nations, through diplomatic channels, of the manufacture, acquisition, import, export and disposal of weapons of war, as defined in this decree [2]. However, discussions on the acquisition of weapons are held within the Executive and the Security Forces, taking into account the Military Program [3, 4].

Niger signed the ATT on 24th March 2014 and ratified on July 24, 2015 [1]. The ATT establishes a framework for preventing and eradicating the illicit trade in conventional arms, as stated in Article 1. Niger also ratified the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons in 2006 (4, 5), demonstrating its formal commitment to controlling the proliferation of arms in the region. However, the future of Niger’s adherence to the ECOWAS Convention is now uncertain following its decision to withdraw from ECOWAS. Alongside Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger announced its “irreversible” withdrawal from the bloc, effective January 29, 2025, with a transition period extending to July 29, 2025. These developments, coupled with the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), signal a shift in Niger’s regional alignment.

Niger ratified the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on July 24, 2015 [1]. The treaty obligates States Parties to demonstrate compliance through initial and annual reports as outlined in Article 13. These reports can be made public or kept private via the ATT Secretariat’s website. However, as of January 2025, Niger has not submitted any reports, indicating non-compliance with reporting requirements [3]. Article 1 of the ATT emphasizes preventing and eradicating the illicit trade in conventional arms and their diversion.
At the Ninth Conference of States Parties to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) held in Geneva from August 21 to 25, 2023, Niger reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the ATT. The transitional authorities of Niger confirmed their continued adherence to international treaties, ensuring that previously ratified agreements remain in force [5]. As part of its efforts to regulate arms and strengthen control measures, Niger has developed a Draft Firearms Bill (Avant-Projet de Loi sur le régime général des armes en République du Niger). This bill is designed to incorporate key provisions of the ATT into Niger’s national legal framework, along with those from:
• The ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW).
• The Firearms Protocol.
• Other relevant international agreements ratified by Niger.
The drafting of this Firearms Bill was supported by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with a national validation workshop held in October 2022 to finalize the legal framework. The bill aims to:
• Prevent arms diversion, as required under Article 1 of the ATT and Article 18 of the ECOWAS Convention on SALW.
• Enhance import control measures, aligning with Articles 4, 5, and 6 of the ECOWAS Convention and Article 8 of the ATT.
• Ensure national compliance with international arms control standards [5].
Niger also signed and ratified the ECOWAS Convention on Small Arms and Light Weapons in 2006 (4, 5). However, the future of Niger’s adherence to this Convention is uncertain due to its decision to withdraw from ECOWAS. Alongside Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger announced its “irreversible” withdrawal from the bloc, with an official departure date of January 29, 2025, and a transition period extending until July 29, 2025. These three nations have formed a new group, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), further distancing themselves from ECOWAS. Niger’s ability to address illicit arms transfers is further strained by practical challenges, including growing insecurity along its borders with Mali, Nigeria, and Libya. The porous nature of these borders hampers systematic control and complicates efforts to combat cross-border insecurity.

Niger is not an arms exporter, and therefore this sub-indicator is scored as Not Applicable. [1].

Nigeria signed and ratified the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on August 12, 2013 [1]. In 2016, Nigeria’s Ministry of Defence stated that “Nigeria believes strongly in the regulation of arms trade of conventional weapons and with a process guided by policies, procedures, and practices that would regulate their import and exports; as well as their transfer and end use [2]. As one of the pioneer signatories to the Treaty, Nigeria has consistently demonstrated active involvement in the activities of the ATT [3].

Although Nigeria signed and ratified the ATT in August 2013, it has not fully succeeded in domesticating it [1].
As noted by a military officer, “the government has also established the National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW), to Control the Proliferation of SALW across the country strengthen the regional mechanism for the control, prevention, and regulation of small arms and light weapons” [5]. The National Procurement Act, defence policy, and NCCSALW mandate aim to restrict arms transfers likely to contribute to human rights violations or regional instability. As Defence Minister Magashi reaffirmed in March 2025, Nigeria is committed to enforcing prohibitions on illicit arms proliferation consistent with ATT obligation [3].
While Nigeria publishes annual defence procurement data and has instituted internal record-keeping through NCCSALW-supported systems, there is evidence that documentation regarding arms transfers and official exports remains limited and largely confidential—raising questions about full implementation of Article 8 [4].
Nigeria ratified the ATT on August 12, 2013—becoming a pioneer in Africa. However, the ATT Monitor Report 2024 highlights that Nigeria has not submitted reports in 2022, and the reports from 2018 to 2021 are not publicly available [6]. This suggests non‑compliance with formal reporting obligations.
While Nigeria has taken important steps towards complying with the ATT, significant challenges remain in fully implementing and enforcing the treaty’s provisions especially regarding illicit trafficking and unregulated artisanal production [2].

Nigeria is primarily an importer and not an exporter of arms [1]. Nigeria imported $17.6M in military weapons in 2022, becoming the 24th largest importer of military weapons in the world [2]. However, the country is poised to begin local production of military equipment with the recent signing of the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON) Bill into Law by President Bola Tinubu. The bill which repeals and replaces the initial law empowers the defence corporation to manufacture, store, and dispose of ordnance [3]. The Federal Government has recently commenced discussion with about 50 local and internal firms for local production of firearms in the country [4].

In its commitment to the ATT, Senegal fully contributed to the negotiation process that led to its adoption. It signed the treaty in New York on 03 June 2013 and ratified it on 25 September 2014. [1]

The country has complied with each of the three articles of the ATT as indicated in a report. The prohibition of Article 6 is reflected in national legislation in the Law n° 66-03 regulating firearms and ammunition (amended). [1] As for article 7, the country conducts risk assessments via the Commission Nationale de Lutte contre la Prolifération des Armes Légères et de Petit Calibre (CNLP-ALPC). However, national procedures are not fully transparent and the government has not published specific risk assessment criteria. [2] Finally for article 11, Senegal participates actively in ECOWAS small arms controls and has integrated stockpile management and marking initiatives. [3]

Senegal is not an arms exporter, and therefore this sub-indicator is scored as Not Applicable. [1] .

South Africa has signed the ATT on 25th September 2013, and later ratified on 22 DecemberArms Trade Treaty2014. [1]

In terms of the latest Arms Trade Treaty Baseline Assessment, South Africa is in full compliance with the treaty. [1] The baseline assessment is the initial report required under the Treaty to show that the signatory has implemented the relevant provisions to comply with the treaty. According to this assessment, South Africa is in full compliance with:
Article 6 (Prohibitions): Legally prohibits arms transfers where they would violate UNSC sanctions or international humanitarian law (covered by National Conventional Arms Control Act 41 of 2002).
Article 7 (Export and assessment): Implements rigorous risk assessments before authorizing transfers, including end-use verification.
Article 11 (Diversion): Maintains systems to detect and prevent diversion, including pre-shipment checks and post-delivery verification.

Additionally, NCACC Annual Report 2023 confirms adherence to export control standards and treaty provisions [2].

The National Committee on Conventional Arms Control provides oversight of arms exports to ensure compliance with relevant legislation. The National Committee is composed of cabinet members and provides a high-level annual report to the Joint Standing Committee on Defence on the value of exports and compliance with relevant legislation. [1] However, this is ex-ante and Parliament’s influence is limited in the following:
– It does not approve individual export authorisations;
– Scrutiny occurs after the fact, and only in summary form;
– Civil society and media access to detailed licensing decisions is restricted [2].

South Sudan is not a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty. [1]

South Sudan is not a signatory to the Arms Trade Treaty. Therefore, this indicator is marked Not Applicable.

There is no evidence that South Sudan is an arms exporter, instead available reports show that the country is a net importer of arms. [1] [2] [3]. Therefore, this indicator is marked Not Applicable.

Uganda has neither signed up to nor ratified the ATT [1]. In December 2021, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Security Sector Program organized a National Consultative Meeting in Entebbe, Uganda, to promote awareness of the ATT and discuss its potential implementation. During this meeting, Mr. Nakhaima, a representative from Uganda’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, indicated that Uganda was in the process of acceding to the treaty, having consulted relevant actors and awaiting cabinet resolution [2].
Despite these discussions, there have been no official reports confirming that Uganda has taken further steps to sign or ratify the ATT.

Uganda has neither signed up to nor ratified the ATT, and therefore this indicator as indicator is marked as Not Applicable. [1]

​According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Uganda has not been identified as a significant exporter of major conventional arms. Uganda is not listed among the notable arms-exporting countries [1].

Zimbabwe signed the Arms Trade Treat on 14 December 2014, but it is yet to be ratified. [1][2][3]

Zimbabwe has not ratified the ATT, and therefore this section is scored as Not Applicable.

The evidence suggests that Zimbabwe is not an exporter of arms, and therefore this sub-indicator is marked as Not Applicable. [1] [2]