Niger

Recommended Vaccinations For Niger

For Most Travellers

Hepatitis B Vaccine

There is a significant risk of infection with hepatitis B for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

Hepatitis A Vaccine

There is a significant risk of exposure to hepatitis A for this country, therefore, the vaccination is recommended.

For Some Travellers

Rabies Vaccine

Vaccination against rabies is recommended for travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) who may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk and should be vaccinated.

Typhoid Fever Vaccine

There is a risk of exposure to typhoid fever in this country through consumption of unsafe food and water. Since exposure to unsafe sources is variable within this country, the vaccination against typhoid fever is generally recommended, especially when visiting smaller cities or rural areas, where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever Vaccine

**There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travellers aged 9 months and older. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also state that the yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged 9 months or older travelling to areas south of the Sahara Desert, and that the vaccination is not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to areas in the Sahara Desert.**

Meningitis Vaccine

Because this country is located in the sub-Saharan meningitis belt, vaccination against meningitis is recommended if travelling during the dry season (December to June).

Cholera Vaccine

The U.K. NaTHNaC recommends the oral cholera vaccine for some travellers whose activities or medical history put them at increased risk, travelling to areas of active cholera transmission. These risk factors include: aid workers; those going to areas of cholera outbreaks who have limited access to potable water and medical care; travellers for whom the vaccination would be considered potentially beneficial, such as chronic medical conditions.

Recommended Medications For Niger

For Some Travellers

Anti-malarial Drugs

Recommended anti-malaria medications include Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine or tafenoquine. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported.

Diseases To Be Aware of for Niger

For Most Travellers

Chikungunya Fever

Chikungunya fever occurs in this country.

Hepatitis A

There is a significant risk for hepatitis A virus exposure in Niger through contaminated food or water.

Hepatitis B

There is a significant risk for acquiring hepatitis B in Niger.

Cholera

Cholera outbreaks occur in Niger. The risk to travellers is low unless living or working in poor sanitary conditions, drinking untreated water or eating poorly cooked or raw seafood in this country.

Dengue Fever

Outbreaks of dengue fever may occur.

For Some Travellers

Malaria

All areas of Niger are at high risk for malaria.

Schistosomiasis

**There is a risk of schistosomiasis in this country.**

Sleeping Sickness (Type 1)

African trypanosomiasis (“sleeping sickness”) occurs in this country. Travellers to urban areas are not at risk.

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis occurs in Niger. Travellers to Niger are at risk for tuberculosis if visiting sick friends or family, working in the health care field, or having close prolonged contact with the general population.

Meningitis

Meningitis outbreaks may occur in Niger. Travellers who visit during the dry season (December to June) or expect to have prolonged contact with the local population are especially at risk.

Typhoid Fever

Unvaccinated people can become infected through contaminated food and water in Niger, especially when visiting smaller cities, villages, or rural areas where food and water sources may be contaminated.

Yellow Fever

**There is a risk of yellow fever transmission in this country. This country requires a yellow fever vaccination certificate for all travellers aged 9 months and older. The World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also state that the yellow fever vaccination is recommended for all travellers aged 9 months or older travelling to areas south of the Sahara Desert, and that the vaccination is not recommended for travellers whose itineraries are limited to areas in the Sahara Desert.**

Zika Fever

Zika fever may occur in this country.

Rabies

Rabies occurs in Niger. Travellers involved in outdoor activities (e.g., campers, hikers, bikers, adventure travellers, and cavers) may have direct contact with rabid dogs, bats, and other mammals. Those with occupational risks (such as veterinarians, wildlife professionals, researchers) and long-term travellers and expatriates are at higher risk.

Safety & Security in Niger

Personal Safety

Niger faces serious security challenges that affect personal safety throughout the country. Armed robbery and violent crime occur regularly across the country, particularly in Niamey where thefts, muggings, and break-ins can happen at any time. Niamey’s Gaweye Hotel area, National Museum, Petit Marche, and the Kennedy Bridge are particularly prone to crime, and you should avoid walking alone or crossing bridges over the River Niger on foot. Following a military coup in July 2023, Niger has been governed by a transitional government, and the political situation remains unstable with the potential for civil unrest. Demonstrations occur frequently and can turn violent without warning. Kidnapping poses a very high threat throughout the country, including in the capital. Terrorist groups, including ISIS-Sahel, JNIM, Boko Haram, and ISIS-West Africa, continue planning attacks and kidnappings with little warning. Multiple terrorist attacks have occurred in recent years, including a March 2025 mosque attack in Kokorou that killed 44 people. In May 2025, the U.S. Embassy modified its security posture due to heightened kidnapping concerns, requiring armored vehicles for all personnel travel. Hotels with armed Nigerien security presence offer the safest accommodation options. Access to medical care is limited throughout Niger, with facilities lacking adequate supplies of basic medications, especially outside larger cities. Over 2.6 million people in Niger need humanitarian assistance, including more than 507,000 internally displaced persons. Border areas with Mali, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Libya, and Chad experience particular security challenges from armed groups who conduct pipeline sabotage, kidnappings, extortion, and violent raids.

Extreme Violence

Niger experiences significant extreme violence from multiple terrorist organizations that exploit the country’s extensive borders and sparsely populated regions. Terrorist groups active in Niger include ISIS-Sahel, Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM), Boko Haram, and Islamic State-West Africa Province (ISIS-WA). In 2023, terrorist organizations carried out at least 299 attacks in Niger, marking a significant increase from 180 attacks in 2022. Violence occurs on two main fronts, with attacks from ISIS-Sahel and JNIM in the West and Northwest, and from ISIS-WA and Boko Haram in the Southeast. The first seven months of 2023 saw at least 7,800 civilian deaths from extremist violence, representing a significant increase from 2022. Recent major attacks include a March 2025 mosque attack in Kokorou village that killed at least 44 worshippers and injured 20, an attack in September 2024 that killed 27 soldiers in Niaktire, and an August 2024 incident in Maine Soroa that killed eight humanitarian workers. In May 2024, 20 civilians were killed in a village attack in Diambala. Armed groups in the Dosso region have committed serious violations against civilians, including pipeline sabotage, kidnappings, extortion, and violent raids. Insecurity continues in the Liptako-Gourma area in the Tillaberi region and the Lake Chad Basin in the Diffa region. Following the July 2023 coup, counterterrorism operations declined, allowing terrorist groups to expand their activities. Niger continues to face insecurity in several regions despite government commitments to promoting peace and stability. Violence has spread from Mali into neighboring countries including Niger and Burkina Faso, making the Sahel one of the most brutal security crises in the world. The region has experienced more than 6,000 terrorism-related deaths annually for three consecutive years, making up more than half of global fatalities.

Political Unrest

Niger experienced a military coup on July 26, 2023, when General Abdourahamane Tchiani and presidential guard forces detained President Mohamed Bazoum and established the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP). The coup marked Niger’s fifth military takeover since independence from France in 1960 and the first since 2010. General Tiani appointed himself head of state, suspended the constitution, dissolved state institutions, and ordered the closure of borders with a nationwide curfew. All political party activities were suspended until further notice and remain suspended as of 2025. In August 2023, Tiani announced a three-year transition to democratic rule, but no concrete steps toward elections have materialized and no timetable for elections exists. In April 2024, the CNSP abolished local and regional councils that had been elected in 2020. The coup drew international condemnation, with ECOWAS imposing sanctions in August 2023 and threatening military intervention. These sanctions were lifted in February 2024 for humanitarian purposes. In January 2024, Niger announced its withdrawal from ECOWAS along with Mali and Burkina Faso. Since the coup, media freedom has been severely restricted. Authorities have threatened, harassed, and arbitrarily arrested journalists, many of whom are self-censoring due to fear of reprisals. In January 2024, the interior minister suspended activities of Maison de la Presse, an independent media organization. Former President Bazoum and his family remain detained in undisclosed locations, with human rights groups expressing grave concern about their treatment and conditions. The CNSP has arrested and detained at least 30 officials from the ousted government and people close to the deposed president. Demonstrations occur frequently in Niger and can become violent without warning. Street protests, while generally peaceful, may turn confrontational at any time and can lead to civil unrest. The political and security situation remains unpredictable with a heightened military presence near government buildings. In February 2024, the CNSP removed financial controls on military spending, exempting both military and presidential spending from procurement and reporting rules. The unpredictable economic situation and potential supply disruptions may result in shortages of necessities.

Areas To Avoid

You should avoid all travel to the Malian border area, Diffa region, northern Agadez, and the Lake Chad region due to terrorism. Terrorist groups have crossed the border and launched multiple deadly attacks on Nigerien security forces in these areas. The Tillaberi region in western Niger experiences ongoing insecurity from ISIS-Sahel and JNIM, with frequent attacks on both civilians and security forces. The tri-border area where Niger meets Mali and Burkina Faso, known as Liptako-Gourma, has become a hotbed for violent extremism and should be avoided. The Diffa region near the border with Nigeria faces attacks from Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa Province. Banditry, smuggling, and other criminal activity is common in border areas, particularly Maradi, Tillaberi, and Diffa. The southern and western parts of the Dosso region have armed groups that commit serious violations against civilians. Northern Agadez experiences lawlessness with many carjackings, kidnappings, and robberies, and you should not venture beyond Agadez city. Hold-ups and robberies have occurred on public buses between Tahoua and Agadez and between Agadez and Arlit. The border with Mali should not be attempted under any circumstances. Residual landmines exist in the northern region of Agadez, and off-road driving should be avoided. Border areas with Algeria, Nigeria, and Benin also pose security risks. Some land borders remain closed and others may close without warning. Attacks on major roads and transport routes by terrorists are increasing, particularly through the use of landmines and other explosive devices, including on the road between Ouagadougou and Niamey. In Niamey, avoid the areas around the Gaweye Hotel, National Museum, and Petit Marche, as these areas are particularly prone to muggings. Do not cross the bridges over the River Niger on foot at any time. Nighttime attacks on tourists have occurred in most of the country, particularly on the Agadez to Arlit, Agadez to Tahoua, and Tillabery to Niamey roads, and within the city of Zinder. Traditional markets and areas near hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners require extreme vigilance.