The Global Peace Index (GPI) ranks countries by safety using three core areas: ongoing conflict, societal security, and militarization. Analysts consider crime, political instability, violent unrest, and military activity to calculate a peace score. Higher scores mean lower levels of peace.
Below are the ten most dangerous countries in Africa, according to the latest GPI rankings out of 163 nations worldwide.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Countries in Africa
1. Sudan (GPI 3.327, World Rank 162)
Sudan is the most dangerous country in Africa. The nation has been engulfed in violent power struggles since the collapse of Omar al-Bashir’s regime in 2019. In 2023, open war between rival military factions broke out, reducing cities like Khartoum to battlegrounds. Civilians are caught in the crossfire, with widespread displacement and rising hunger.
Basic services have collapsed in many regions. Aid agencies struggle to operate due to looting and targeted attacks. Armed militias control large areas, and ceasefires are rarely respected. Despite the violence, Sudan is rich in culture and history, especially along the Nile. But today, even historic sites lie behind frontlines or in unsafe zones.
2. South Sudan (GPI 3.324, World Rank 161)
Since gaining independence from Sudan in 2011, South Sudan has rarely known peace. Ethnic violence, weak governance, and a fragile peace agreement keep much of the country unstable. Clashes erupt frequently in rural regions, displacing families and destroying livelihoods.
The humanitarian situation is dire. Nearly 75% of the population relies on aid. Poor infrastructure, flooded roads, and armed groups hinder access to remote communities. Oil remains the country’s economic backbone, but corruption and conflict block development. Wildlife and wetlands in places like the Sudd remain largely unexplored due to the risks.
3. Democratic Republic of the Congo (GPI 3.264, World Rank 158)
The DRC has vast mineral wealth but suffers from decades of war, corruption, and political instability. Armed groups battle for control of resources in the east, especially in North Kivu and Ituri. Kidnappings, ambushes, and mass displacement are common in those regions.
The national army is underfunded and struggles to contain insurgencies. Disease outbreaks, including cholera and Ebola, frequently overwhelm health services. Despite the instability, Congo is home to rainforests, volcanoes, and endangered mountain gorillas. Travel is possible in some parts, but only with expert guidance and close monitoring of security updates.
4. Mali (GPI 3.095, World Rank 154)
Mali has seen escalating conflict since 2012, when Tuareg rebels and Islamist groups seized northern cities. Though French-led forces pushed them back, insurgents regrouped and spread across central Mali. Attacks now threaten even the capital, Bamako.
Military coups in 2020 and 2021 further weakened civilian rule. Extremist groups target villages, UN forces, and aid workers. Tourism, once drawn to Timbuktu’s ancient libraries and Saharan culture, has nearly vanished. Foreign missions operate under heavy security, and much of the country is under travel restrictions.
5. Somalia (GPI 3.091, World Rank 153)
Somalia has lacked a stable central government for over three decades. Militant groups like al-Shabaab continue to carry out bombings, assassinations, and raids across the country. The capital, Mogadishu, is a frequent target, and rural areas are often under militant control.
Clan-based politics and limited governance make law enforcement inconsistent. Drought, famine, and mass displacement worsen the crisis. Foreigners are advised not to travel unless essential, and then only under armed escort. While Somalia has a rich maritime history and vibrant traditions, most of the country remains inaccessible to outsiders.
6. Central African Republic (GPI 3.009, World Rank 150)
The Central African Republic (CAR) has been plagued by coups, rebellions, and sectarian violence for decades. Armed groups control large parts of the countryside, while UN peacekeepers attempt to maintain security in key towns.
Road travel is unsafe, and humanitarian convoys are often attacked. Clashes between militias and government forces flare without warning. CAR is rich in diamonds and timber, but corruption and instability block economic development. Its dense rainforests and cultural diversity remain largely inaccessible due to widespread violence.
67. Burkina Faso (GPI 2.969, World Rank 149)
Burkina Faso faces a growing jihadist insurgency linked to groups like al-Qaeda and ISIS. Attacks on civilians, police stations, and convoys occur regularly, particularly in the north and east. Over two million people have been displaced by violence.
The government declared a state of emergency in multiple provinces. Education and healthcare systems are collapsing in contested zones. Despite being home to national parks and cultural landmarks, the security risk overshadows any tourism potential. Roadblocks, ambushes, and IEDs make travel outside major cities highly dangerous.
8. Nigeria (GPI 2.907, World Rank 147)
Nigeria has multiple security crises. In the northeast, Boko Haram and its offshoot ISWAP continue their insurgency. In the northwest, bandits carry out mass kidnappings and extortion. The southeast sees separatist unrest, and intercommunal violence affects central states.
The government has struggled to contain the violence, despite military operations. Major cities like Lagos and Abuja are relatively stable, but rural regions face high risk. Nigeria’s economic potential remains strong, powered by oil and a massive population. But the security situation, especially outside urban centers, remains volatile.
9. Ethiopia (GPI 2.845, World Rank 144)
Ethiopia has experienced a significant decline in peacefulness largely due to ongoing internal conflicts, often along ethnic lines. War has broken out in several regions including Tigray, Oromia, Amhara, and beyond. Some areas are completely cut off from outside access. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with millions requiring assistance and limited access to essential services.
Tourism in Ethiopia was once thriving. But many of those sites now lie in regions considered unsafe or unstable. Until lasting peace takes hold, travel beyond a narrow corridor is risky and unpredictable.
10. Niger (GPI 2.792, World Rank 141)
Niger is under siege. In July 2023, a military coup overthrew the elected government. The new junta suspended the constitution and drew global condemnation. At the same time, extremist groups linked to al-Qaeda and ISIS operate in the west and southeast.
Government presence is weak outside the capital, Niamey. There are frequent attacks on military convoys, police posts, and villages. Kidnappings and roadside ambushes are common. The border areas with Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria are some of the most dangerous in the region.
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Why is Africa So Dangerous?
According to the 2024 Global Peace Index (GPI), 18 of the 30 most dangerous countries are in Africa. This means 60% of the world’s least peaceful nations are on the African continent.
Africa has a higher number of dangerous countries because of a combination of historical damage, weak governance, and ongoing power struggles.
Much of the instability seen in Africa today is the result of colonialism. European powers carved up the continent to serve their own interests, not the needs of the people living there. Borders were drawn with no regard for ethnic, religious, or linguistic groups. When colonial governments left, they handed power to local elites. In many cases, those in power never gave it up and held onto it with force. In some areas, identity-based politics fuel division – ethnic, religious, or regional. When leaders play these cards to stay in power, violence often follows.
Corruption is a major driver of instability. In many African countries, national wealth is hoarded by a small elite. Instead of investing in roads, hospitals, or schools, they enrich themselves. As a result, the government fails to deliver basic services. When people lose trust in institutions, armed groups and militias step in to offer protection, money, or identity. Warlords replace state authority.
Is Africa Safe for Tourists?
While some regions are unsafe due to conflict, terrorism, or crime, much of Africa is safe for tourists.
The continent is huge and diverse, with over 50 countries, each with its own security profile. Popular destinations like Morocco, Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, and Rwanda receive millions of tourists every year with few issues. These places have strong tourism sectors, established infrastructure, and areas that are well-managed and secure.
The key is to treat Africa like you would any other large continent: research the specific country, not the region. Stay alert, use common sense, and follow local guidance. Most visitors to Africa have safe, unforgettable experiences.
Is Tanzania Safe?
Tanzania is one of the safest countries in Africa. It has remained peaceful since independence in 1961. The nation has been great at avoiding the civil wars, coups, and large-scale ethnic conflicts that have affected many of its neighbors.
After independence, President Julius Nyerere made national unity a top priority. He saw tribalism as a threat to stability and took steps to prevent it. The government promoted Swahili as a national language to unify people across ethnic lines. Schools, military service, and government programs often placed people in different regions, mixing tribes and breaking down local loyalties. Political parties were banned from organizing along ethnic or religious lines. These policies helped create a shared national identity, even in a country with over 120 tribes.
Tanzania also avoided the resource-driven conflicts seen elsewhere. It has minerals, but not at the scale that attracts violent outside interests. While poverty and corruption still exist, the country has strong internal cohesion and a reputation for tolerance. Disagreements are usually handled through dialogue, not violence.
For visitors and residents alike, this foundation of unity makes Tanzania one of the most stable and welcoming countries in the region.
