The project is a UNODA/UNSCAR-sponsored project that seeks to enhance transparency in military expenditure reporting to the UN. Transparency in military expenditure reporting is a Confidence and Security Building Measure (CSBM) among states in the same region that goes a long way in allaying fears of hidden military strength. However, in recent reporting cycle to the UN military expenditure reporting instrument, only one country from Africa reported and that was Senegal. This is very poor.

This UNSCAR supported project is examining the reason why this is so through a 3-country study of Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal. Why do countries in West Africa fail to report their military expenditure to the UN Reporting instrument? There is evidence that they produce the data annually and this is available in some of their ministries’ websites. However, this is never reported to the UN instrument; why? This is the focus of the study.

The outcome of the study will be used in a capacity building workshop involving ECOWAS member states’ officials dealing with military (security) expenditure or expenditure of the security sector broadly.