The United States government has added Niger to its Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, citing deteriorating security conditions marked by terrorism, kidnapping, violent crime and civil unrest.
The advisory, issued by the U.S. Department of State on January 30, 2026, warned American citizens against all travel to the West African country, noting that U.S. authorities are unable to provide routine or emergency consular services outside the capital, Niamey.
It stated that a state of emergency remains in force across large parts of Niger, alongside movement restrictions and limited access to emergency and healthcare services.
U.S. officials pointed to recent security incidents, including a gun battle involving Islamic State-linked militants at the Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, as evidence of the worsening security environment and heightened risks to foreign nationals.
The advisory added that foreigners travelling outside Niamey are required to use Nigerien military escorts, while U.S. government employees face strict security measures, including the use of armoured vehicles, curfews and restrictions on visiting public places such as restaurants and open-air markets.
American citizens currently in Niger were advised to adopt similar safety precautions and to reconsider any movement within the country.
With Niger’s inclusion, the number of African countries under the U.S. government’s highest travel alert has risen to eight. Others on the Level 4 list include Libya, Mali, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Sudan, Somalia and parts of the Sahel region.
The Level 4 designation represents the highest risk category in the U.S. travel advisory system and is reserved for countries facing extreme security threats, including armed conflict, terrorism and widespread violence.
