As of July 2025, 12 African nations were listed under the official U.S. high-risk travel warning at Level 4: Do Not Travel and Level 3: Reconsider Travel, reflecting a complex mix of regional instability, weak governance, rising crime, and broader geopolitical tensions.

By contrast, the other two advisory levels which are Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions and Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution, indicate relatively minimal risks.

These levels are typically reserved for countries with isolated security concerns or low-level threats that do not significantly disrupt travel or daily activity.

The table below shows the list of African countries currently on the U.S. Department of State’s travel warning list as of July 2025.

S/N Country Advisory Level Date Updated

1 Libya Level 4: Do Not Travel July 16, 2025

2 Somalia Level 4: Do Not Travel May 14, 2025

3 Burkina Faso Level 4: Do Not Travel April 16, 2025

4 South Sudan Level 4: Do Not Travel March 8, 2025

5 DRC Level 4: Do Not Travel January 29, 2025

6 Nigeria Level 3: Reconsider Travel July 15, 2025

7 Mauritania Level 3: Reconsider Travel July 15, 2025

8 Burundi Level 3: Reconsider Travel April 29, 2025

9 Uganda Level 3: Reconsider Travel April 23, 2025

10 Guinea-Bissau Level 3: Reconsider Travel March 24, 2025

11 Niger Level 3: Reconsider Travel March 21, 2025

12 Chad Level 3: Reconsider Travel March 18, 2025

African nations top list

While the U.S. Department of State routinely issues travel advisories to safeguard its nationals abroad, the growing number of African nations under elevated warnings indicates a renewed strategic caution toward the continent.

The increasing prevalence of armed conflict, political unrest, and transnational threats has prompted Washington to tighten its stance, citing deteriorating security environments and limited consular access as major concerns.

From the table, 12 African countries are currently under high-risk U.S. travel advisories. Libya, Burkina Faso, and Somalia top the Level 4: Do Not Travel list, while Nigeria, Mauritania, and Burundi appear under the Level 3: Reconsider Travel category—mainly due to ongoing conflict, insecurity, and governance-related challenges.

These advisories reflect not just the risks to travelers, but also the deepening fragility of state institutions across parts of the continent. (Business Insider Africa, but headline rejigged)