The U.S. Department of State issues travel advisories under a four tier system ranging from Level 1 which advises “exercise normal precautions” to Level 4 which urges “do not travel” because of life threatening dangers.

For the purpose of this report, only African countries under the most severe categories Level 3 “reconsider travel” and Level 4 “do not travel” are highlighted as these pose the gravest risks to travelers according to the U.S. Department of State. Nigeria and 15 other African countries are currently affected by this negative advisory.

The United States issues travel advisories primarily to protect its citizens abroad by alerting them to security, health, and political risks they may face in foreign countries.

The advisories serve both as warnings and guidance, helping travelers make informed decisions before and during their trips. They are also a diplomatic tool, signaling Washington’s assessment of stability and safety in different regions.

To determine the advisory level for each country, the U.S. Department of State relies on a wide range of inputs.

These include intelligence and security assessments from U.S. embassies and consulates, reports from the FBI, CIA, and Department of Defense, as well as data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on health risks.

They also factor in crime statistics, terrorism threats, civil unrest, natural disasters, kidnapping risks, and the host government’s ability to assist in emergencies.

On the other hand, other nations placed at Level 1 and Level 2 are considered relatively safer destinations where the risks are significantly lower.

Countries under Level 1, which advises travelers to exercise normal precautions, are seen as generally stable, with conditions similar to what U.S. citizens might experience at home, though routine care is still encouraged.

Those under Level 2, which calls for exercising increased caution, are judged to have moderate risks such as elevated crime rates, occasional protests, or localized security concerns that travelers should watch for but which do not rise to the level of widespread or life threatening danger.

Countries under high risk advisory as of September 2025

The above table highlights 16 African countries currently placed under the United States’ highest travel advisory levels as of September 2025.

Each entry lists the destination, its advisory level, the main risk indicators, and the date of the most recent update.

Africa features prominently on this list due to overlapping crises that have intensified across the continent. Persistent armed conflicts, terrorism, weak governance, porous borders, and fragile health systems continue to destabilize entire regions.

In many cases, governments lack full control over their territories, creating space for extremist groups, armed militias, and organized crime to flourish.

Some nations have remained on the list for the longest period, including Sudan, Mali, and Ethiopia, all of which have faced strict advisories since 2023.

Their continued inclusion reflects ongoing civil wars, extremist insurgencies, and political instability that show little sign of resolution.

In contrast, a number of countries were added more recently in 2025, such as Burundi in April, Guinea-Bissau in March, Mauritania in July, Nigeria in July, and Uganda in April. Their newer entries underscore how deteriorating security conditions are drawing additional African states into the highest risk categories. (Adapted from a report by Business Insider Africa)

Update news