Is It Safe to Travel to Togo in 2026?
Togo - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Last updated: · Source: U.S. Department of State
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north.
Is It Safe to Travel to Togo in 2026?
Togo is currently rated Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution by the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. government has limited ability to offer emergency or routine services to U.S. citizens outside of Lome due to safety risks. U.S. government employees need special authorization to travel to certain areas due to safety risks.
Key concerns cited in the advisory:
- crime
- terrorism
- civil_unrest
- kidnapping
- health
Active restrictions in Togo:
- Security escort may be required
May not travel to areas north of Dapaong without special authorization.
Note: A state of emergency is currently declared in Togo or parts of Togo. Check the latest reports before finalizing travel plans.
Traveler Impact
Solo travelers face a significant risk of violent crime, especially in urban areas and crowded markets, where carjackings and robberies are common.
Business travelers may encounter operational disruptions due to the limited ability of U.S. consular services to assist outside Lome, alongside potential safety risks in travel to northern regions.
Families with children face heightened risks from crime and health issues, with limited healthcare access outside major cities and a high malaria risk requiring careful planning.
Remote workers can find decent connectivity in urban areas, but must be cautious of security risks and limited emergency services.
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of State, the CDC, the World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators, and Freedom House. All sources are updated regularly and cross-referenced to provide a composite safety picture for Togo.
Regional Safety Breakdown
Do Not Travel Zones
The U.S. State Department advises against all travel to the following areas due to extreme risk:
- Northern border region near Burkina Faso
- Areas north of Kande
▶Level 4 — Do Not Travel2 regions
▶Areas north of Kande
Do Not Travel due to risk of terrorism.
▶Northern border region near Burkina Faso
Do Not Travel due to risk of terrorism and kidnapping.
Togo has 2 distinct regions with varying advisory levels. Risk conditions differ significantly by area.
▶Safety and Stability Ratings
Threat Severity (0-10 scale)
Togo has an overall threat severity of 4.5 out of 10. Crime risk is rated 6.0/10, terrorism risk 5.0/10, and kidnapping risk 5.0/10.
Governance Indicators (World Bank, percentile)
Political Stability▶
Measures the likelihood that the government will be destabilized or overthrown by unconstitutional or violent means, including politically-motivated violence and terrorism. Higher percentile means greater stability.
Rule of Law▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which agents have confidence in and abide by the rules of society, including the quality of contract enforcement, property rights, the police, and the courts, as well as the likelihood of crime and violence.
Control of Corruption▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which public power is exercised for private gain, including both petty and grand forms of corruption, as well as capture of the state by elites and private interests.
Government Effectiveness▶
Captures perceptions of the quality of public services, the quality of the civil service and the degree of its independence from political pressures, the quality of policy formulation and implementation, and the credibility of the government's commitment to such policies.
Regulatory Quality▶
Captures perceptions of the ability of the government to formulate and implement sound policies and regulations that permit and promote private sector development.
Voice & Accountability▶
Captures perceptions of the extent to which a country's citizens are able to participate in selecting their government, as well as freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media.
Data from World Bank Worldwide Governance Indicators (2023).
Freedom Status: Partly Free — scored 42/100 by Freedom House (2024). View full freedom profile →
▶Entry Requirements and Health
Entry Information
Visa
Check embassy for details
Currency
West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Language
French
Notable restrictions:
- drug possession illegal including medical marijuana
- e-cigarettes prohibited
Vaccinations
Required:
- Yellow Fever: Vaccine is required for all arriving travelers ≥9 months old.
Recommended:
⚠ Malaria Risk: high
Recommended medications: Atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, mefloquine, tafenoquine
Active health notices:
- watchGlobal Measles: Measles cases are rising in many countries around the world. All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, according to CDC's measles vaccination recommendations for international travel.
Vaccination data sourced from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Consult a travel health professional before your trip.
Common Questions About Traveling to Togo
▶What is the current travel advisory level for Togo?
▶Is it safe to travel to Togo right now?
▶Do I need a visa to visit Togo?
▶What vaccines do I need for Togo?
▶Is Togo safe for solo travelers?
▶How bad is crime in Togo?
More Togo Data
Partly Free — 42/100 on the Freedom House index.
Governance indicators including rule of law, corruption control, and regulatory quality.
View all 195 countries color-coded by advisory level.
Read the full advisory on travel.state.gov.
Access this data programmatically. Free tier available.
On-demand country risk PDFs from 6 government sources.