As African nations increase investment in surveillance, intelligence gathering and homeland security technologies to tackle terrorism and organised criminal networks, companies linked to Israel are steadily expanding their operations across the continent.
Mer Group has reportedly secured a €32 million agreement to provide homeland security systems, aerial surveillance and intelligence solutions to a government in West Africa, according to a report by The Jerusalem Post.
The company stated that the two-year contract includes the delivery of operational technologies, technical assistance and ongoing professional support, as African governments continue increasing spending on integrated security systems to address terrorism, cross-border criminal activity and domestic security threats.
Chief Executive Officer Avi Shechter said the agreement represents another step in the company’s expansion strategy within the defence sector and reflects growing international demand for its military technology and homeland security solutions.
Previous West African contracts
The newly announced deal comes after another agreement revealed by Mer Group in November 2025 involving homeland security and intelligence projects for government agencies in a West African nation, with projected revenues estimated at roughly €20 million, according to IsraTech.
Under that arrangement, the firm delivered intelligence systems, cyber defence tools, infrastructure protection technologies, and detection and alert solutions, with implementation expected to last between 12 and 18 months.
As with many of its earlier operations across Africa, Mer Group did not identify the country involved or disclose detailed information about the technologies supplied or how they would be utilised.
Although confidentiality is common in defence and intelligence agreements, particularly those involving surveillance technologies, the lack of transparency surrounding such contracts has repeatedly raised accountability concerns in several African countries.
Comparable issues surfaced during investigations into the Pegasus spyware created by NSO Group, which allegedly allowed certain governments to monitor journalists, activists, opposition politicians and diplomats.
The controversy highlighted the increasing deployment of foreign surveillance and intelligence systems throughout Africa, especially in situations where limited public information exists about their use and oversight.
Israeli-linked firms deepen African presence
Over the last decade, Israeli-connected companies have steadily strengthened their footprint in Africa’s intelligence and electronic surveillance industry, supplying everything from cyber intelligence platforms to border monitoring systems.
Industry assessments identified Verint Systems and NSO Group among major players operating within surveillance markets in several regions, including parts of Africa.
Other businesses, including Mer Group, have established activities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Nigeria and the Republic of Congo.
Elbit Systems has also maintained operations in Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria and South Africa, focusing mainly on defence electronics, aerospace technologies and surveillance equipment.
The expanding role of Israeli defence and intelligence firms reflects growing demand from African governments seeking advanced monitoring technologies to address insurgencies, organised crime and regional instability.
However, analysts and rights organisations have continued to express concerns about the deployment of surveillance technologies in politically sensitive settings without stronger public scrutiny and oversight mechanisms.
Growing order backlog
The newest West African agreement adds to several defence contracts secured by Mer Group since the beginning of the year, bringing the total value of its recent deals to approximately $94.35 million (NIS 275 million).
These agreements increased the company’s order backlog to about $289.24 million (NIS 843 million) by the close of 2025, with most projects expected to be carried out over the next four years.
Shechter stated that the company plans to further expand its operations in the military and defence industry while also exploring growth opportunities in sectors such as data centres and communications infrastructure.