Prime Business Africa
The Canadian government just dropped one of its biggest travel‑risk updates in years, warning citizens to steer clear of 17 African countries because of spiralling insecurity, political turmoil and extremist violence.
Global Affairs Canada rolled out the advisories between Nov 13‑15, 2025 as part of a wider review that now covers 34 nations worldwide.
Why the red flags?
Canadian officials point to a perfect storm of threats: expanding extremist networks in the Sahel and Horn of Africa, a wave of military coups, communal clashes, mass protests, cross‑border crime, and fragile governance that leaves many states barely holding together.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“Avoid All Travel” – 8 hot spots
South Sudan
Burkina Faso
Central African Republic
Libya
Mali
Niger
Somalia
Sudan
Prime Business Africa reports that these nations are battling active insurgencies, militant attacks and a near‑collapse of political order. Canadian officials say these make them “extremely risky” for any Canadian traveler.
“Avoid Non‑Essential Travel” – 9 more countries
Madagascar
Ethiopia
Burundi
Chad
Democratic Republic of Congo (Kinshasa)
Eritrea
Mauritania
Nigeria
Tanzania
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Sahel’s Islamist Surge: Africa Risks Losing Control of Its Security
For these, Canadians are urged to weigh the purpose of any trip carefully and keep a close eye on local developments. The advisory cites ongoing unrest, communal violence and volatile politics as the main concerns.
What the government says
“The revised advisories were informed by worsening armed conflicts, fragile political transitions, and unpredictable security conditions across several regions in Africa,” a statement from Global Affairs Canada reads.
For the “Avoid All Travel” list, the warning is stark: citizens could face extreme danger, limited consular support and a tough time securing evacuation if a crisis hits.
