Considering a move to Africa? Discover the top 10 safest countries across the continent, from Mauritius to Seychelles. Learn about the quality of life, political stability, and unique landscapes each offers, plus essential tips for expats.
October 4, 2024
By: Bobby Casey, Managing Director GWP
Anywhere between 5.4 to 9 million Americans live abroad, and there are various reasons for such huge moves. For some, it’s to pursue better opportunities, while for others, it’s to get fresh scenery or to escape the drawbacks of the nation.
Most Americans get a new start by relocating to Europe or Asia. But an often overlooked continent is Africa, where ample places are promising for an exciting new chapter in life.
If you’re now interested, then you might be wondering about the safest countries in Africa, especially since several areas don’t have the best reputation for security. To help you out, here’s a list of the top 10 safest countries in Africa.
The 10 Safest Countries in Africa
1. Mauritius
If you’re asking, “Where is the safest place to live in Africa,” then the answer is Mauritius. It’s by far the safest country in all of Africa.
Mauritius earned an overall global rank of 22 in the 2024 Global Peace Index, and it was the safest country in Africa for the 17th consecutive year. Even better is that it’s the only country in sub-Saharan Africa that hasn’t had internal or external conflicts in the last five years.
This island nation is known for its political stability, low crime rates, and multicultural society. It also has a strong healthcare system and good infrastructure. Since Mauritius has a strong economy based on tourism, manufacturing, and financial services, you can expect to have a high quality of life too, which is great for digital nomads.
2. Madagascar
Madagascar has an overall rank of 44 in the world and is also an island nation. It does face some economic challenges, but is a relatively safe country for both expats and travelers. After all, it earned the number two spot on the 2024 Global Peace Index.
Generally speaking, Madagascar is especially safe in tourist areas and major cities like Antananarivo and Nosy Be. You should stay vigilant though, as petty crimes (like pockpocketing) can occur in crowded areas.
The nation offers a unique and slower lifestyle that’s great for nature lovers. There are amazing beaches and the Avenue of the Baobabs. Do note that the infrastructure outside of urban areas can be underdeveloped though.
Another drawback is that healthcare in Madagascar can be limited; this is very true if you’re in the rural areas.
3. Botswana
Botswana is one of Africa’s most stable countries and has an overall rank of 50. It has a strong democratic tradition, low crime rates, and low levels of corruption. Plus, it has one of Africa’s highest Human Development Index scores.
You can expect a relatively high quality of life in Botswana, especially if you’re working in the country’s growing mining and tourism sectors. And nature lovers will thrive here, as the Chobe National Park is located in this country.
4. Ghana
Ghana is one of the safest African countries in the west and has a Global Peace Index ranking of 55. It’s pretty stable, and like Botswana, it has a strong democratic tradition. Thanks to its stable political system, there are comparatively low crime rates and safe cities.
What’s wonderful about Ghana is there are welcoming local communities and the quality of life is high for expats. In fact, the capital of Accra has a growing expat community, so you’ll feel right at home there. There’s rich and vibrant culture there too, so it’ll definitely be a memorable experience living in Ghana.
5. Zambia
You may be familiar with Zambia already because it’s a huge destination for wildlife tourism. This African nation comes in 57th on the Global Peace Index list and has a peaceful, welcoming, and politically stable atmosphere.
There are low levels of violent crime in Zambia, which makes it good for both individuals and families. There are also lots of nature and outdoor activities that’ll give you a new appreciation of Zambia’s natural beauty. Be sure to check out the renowned Victoria Falls!
6. Namibia
Namibia has a global ranking of 62 and offers a quieter and more tranquil lifestyle due to its small population. It’s very peaceful here, with a democratic government and low crime rates since the country’s trying to promote tourism. In particular, you’ll feel very secure in the capital of Windhoek, which is also the nation’s largest city.
Like many of the other countries on this list, Namibia has a high quality of life. If you like the great outdoors, you’ll have plenty to do; in addition to the beautiful deserts, there’s the Etosha National Park here.
7. Tanzania
Tanzania ranks 65th on the Global Peace Index list and is one of the safest places to be in East Africa. It’s home to the Serengeti National Park, which means it draws in large crowds of tourists. This motivates the government to make the country safe.
There are low crime rates in rural and touristic areas, and there’s a peaceful political climate. You’ll benefit from beautiful landscapes and eco-tourism. You can also count on quality of life to be high in certain areas since there are strong expat communities.
8. Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone has somewhat of a bad reputation because of its history with blood diamonds, as well as its civil war in the 1990s. However, despite its troubled past, the nation’s made significant strides toward peace and stability.
Today, Sierra Leone is a safer destination for both expats and investors and it ranks 66th on the Global Peace Index. Truthfully, there are still challenges related to infrastructure and healthcare, but it’s still a decent place to consider. There’s lots of natural beauty and an affordable cost of living in this country.
Of course, petty theft can occur here, but violent crime is relatively low compared to other parts of West Africa. Expats will be particularly safe in the capital of Freetown and popular areas like Lumley Beach.
Healthcare in Sierra Leone is improving, but in general, the public system is still underdeveloped. Most expats and wealthier locals rely on private clinics instead.
9. Liberia
Liberia’s another African country that has a checkered past due to blood diamonds, and it also had its own civil war in 2003. But in the last two decades, the country’s made huge progress (including political stability), although there’s still lots of room for improvement.
To stay safe, you should avoid urban areas like Monrovia. In addition, petty crime is pretty common, so keep your wits about you, especially at night.
The drawbacks of Liberia are that you probably have to go to private clinics for healthcare and the cost of living is high compared to other African countries.
10. Seychelles
Seychelles isn’t actually on the Global Peace Index, but it’s definitely worth a mention since it’s one of the safest countries in Africa and it has very low levels of crime. The nation is made up of 115 islands and the nature found there is absolutely stunning.
Petty crimes are rare, and Seychelles has been politically stable for decades. There’s also a strong healthcare system, and you’ll have good access to basic medical care.
Most importantly, you’ll have an extremely high quality of life as an expat. While the cost of living can be high as well, other factors make up for it. For example, Seychelles has gorgeous beaches and a laid-back lifestyle. The infrastructure is well-developed too.
Set Your Sights on the Safest Countries in Africa
What could be more exciting than moving to a continent you’ve never been to before? Africa has so much to offer, and each country has different lifestyles and nature to see.
Now that you know what the safest countries in Africa are, you can pick a destination confidently. Plus, you’ll be able to find an expat community that’s welcoming and feels just like home.
Contact us now if you want to move to Africa and protect your assets in the process. We at Global Wealth Protection can help with tax optimization.
