Niger has been placed under the United States’ strictest travel warning as security conditions across the country continue to deteriorate.
In a notice issued on January 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of State added Niger to its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” list, urging American citizens to avoid all travel to the West African nation. The advisory points to growing threats from terrorism, kidnappings, violent crime, and ongoing civil unrest, alongside limited access to emergency and healthcare services.
According to U.S. officials, the worsening situation has made it impossible to guarantee the safety of foreign nationals outside the capital, Niamey. As a result, the United States says it cannot provide routine or emergency consular assistance in most parts of the country.
The advisory highlights recent militant activity as a major concern, including a reported gunfight involving Islamic State–linked fighters at Niamey’s Diori Hamani International Airport. Authorities say such incidents underscore the increasing risks facing both residents and visitors.
Strict security measures remain in place nationwide. Foreigners traveling beyond Niamey are required to move with military escorts, while U.S. government personnel are subject to curfews, the use of armored vehicles, and restrictions on public gatherings, restaurants, and open-air markets. American citizens still in Niger have been advised to adopt similar precautions.
Niger’s inclusion brings the number of African countries under the U.S. government’s highest travel alert to eight. Others on the list include Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, the Central African Republic, and parts of the Sahel, a region grappling with persistent insurgency and political instability.
Level 4 advisories are reserved for countries facing extreme security risks, such as active armed conflict or widespread terrorist activity. Beyond travel concerns, such warnings often have far-reaching effects, including reduced tourism, slowed foreign investment, and limited diplomatic operations as embassies scale back their presence.
