Africa is the second-largest continent and second-most-populous continent on Earth. Africa spans over 11.6 million mi² (30 million km²) and has a population of approximately 1.4 billion people. Africa comprises 54 countries fully recognized by the United Nations, two independent states (Western Sahara and Somaliland) with little-to-no recognition, and nearly a dozen small, mostly island territories controlled by France, Spain, and other non-African countries. Africa is the poorest continent on Earth and includes a number of in-development countries and countries ruled by extremist regimes. All of these factors contribute to the fact that some African countries are much safer to visit than others. Africa has also been slow to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, which impacts the U.S. Department of State’s travel advisory for many African countries.

The Global Peace Index

The Global Peace Index (GPI) is an annual report that measures and ranks the peacefulness of 163 countries to determine the world’s most peaceful countries. The GPI is published annually by the Institute for Economics and Peace, which measures 23 indicators of peace, which are grouped into three categories: Ongoing International and Domestic Conflict, Societal Safety and Security, and Militarization. Example indicators include the number and duration of internal conflicts, relationships with neighboring countries, political instability, the level of violent crimes, and the level of perceived criminality in society. Each indicator’s results are then merged to create a single unified GPI value for each country. The lower the GDI score, the more peaceful—and by extension, the safer—the country is considered to be.

Top 10 Safest Countries in Africa (2022 GDI):

1. Mauritius — 1.54
2. Ghana — 1.72
3. Botswana — 1.75
4. Sierra Leone — 1.81
5. Gambia — 1.85
6. Senegal — 1.86
7. Tanzania — 1.89
8. Malawi — 1.91
9. Equatorial Guinea — 1.92
10. Namibia — 1.93

Business Insider has put together a list of five successful African business leaders to follow on Instagram.

These people frequently use their platform to share the best advice, business tips, updates on investment opportunities, or suggestions on raising much-needed funds. Plus, they also give you a sneak peek of what their lifestyle looks like outside of the business norm people know them for.

Four Somali nationals were killed and several others injured in South Africa following violent protests against the imprisonment of former President Jacob Zuma hit parts of South Africa. Several Somali-owned shops have been looted in separate areas of KwaZulu-Natal province.

In a statement, Somali foreign ministry expressed its deep concern about the riots and looting of Somali businesses. The government has called on the South African government to exert all its efforts to protect Somali nationals from brutal acts, to ensure the safety of their lives, their shops and the preservation of their rights. Somalia said it is proud of its historical relations with the people of South Africa during their struggle against apartheid and the extent of the multiple political, economic and strategic support it provided over a period.

Protests erupted last week in parts of KwaZulu-Natal, Zuma’s home province, after the ex-leader handed himself over to police to serve a 15-month jail term for contempt of court.

Last Friday, the high court dismissed Zuma’s application to have his arrest overturned in a case that has been seen as a test of the rule of law in the post-apartheid nation.

Zuma’s imprisonment has laid bare deep divisions in the governing African National Congress (ANC), as a party faction remains loyal to the former president and has been a potent source of opposition to his successor, Cyril Ramaphosa.