The number of violent incidents involving jihad groups in Africa has increased by +300% between 2010-2017, while the number of African countries experiencing sustained militant activity has more than doubled to 12 over the period, according to Africa Center.

The number of African countries experiencing sustained militant Islamist group activity has grown to 12: Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Kenya, Libya, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia, and Tunisia). In 2010, there were just five (Algeria, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and Somalia.

There has been a shift in the face of Islamist militancy in Africa over the 8-year time frame. In 2010, it was largely dominated by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) and al Shabaab. Now it is shared with Boko Haram and the Islamic State (ISIS). The number of active groups has also grown steadily. In 2010, there were five recognized militant Islamist groups operating on the continent: al Qaeda (in Egypt and Libya), al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM), al Shabaab, Hizbul Islam, and Boko Haram. By end of 2017, the number was over 20.