US keeps Level 3 rating for Nigeria and Level 2 for Ghana and Moldova

Nigeria sits at Level 3 "Reconsider Travel" and Ghana and Moldova at Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" after State Department refreshes in June and July that kept the underlying risk ratings intact.

Nigeria's map keeps shrinking for U.S. travelers

The Nigeria advisory, last touched July 12, still tells U.S. citizens to reconsider any travel to the country, citing terrorism, kidnapping, civil unrest, crime and maritime crime. Inside that, 23 of 36 states now carry a Level 4 "don't Travel" designation, Reuters reported.

The Level 4 zones cover Borno, Yobe and northern Adamawa for terrorism and kidnapping; Bauchi, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina and Zamfara largely for kidnapping and armed crime; and the coastal areas of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta and Rivers (Port Harcourt excepted) for maritime crime and kidnapping. Practically, that leaves Lagos, Abuja and a handful of southwestern states as the corridors most nomads and business travelers actually use and the Embassy has already authorized some Abuja staff to depart under an April revision. Anyone routing through the country should register with the STEP program before flying and keep proof of accommodation, return tickets and local contacts ready at immigration.

Ghana adds a health flag, Moldova holds on Transnistria

Ghana's advisory was reissued July 9 at Level 2. The refresh added a health risk indicator and dropped "unrest" from the list of concerns in the northern border zones, though the State Department still tells travelers to reconsider trips to the Upper East, North East, Upper West and areas west of the N12 in Savannah Region because of crime and thin police coverage. The text also flags targeted violence against women and LGBTQ+ visitors, including mob attacks and harassment, which is worth weighing before booking long-term stays or coworking runs outside Accra and Kumasi. U.S. government staff need special authorization to enter the northern regions, a useful benchmark for what "increased caution" looks like on the ground.

Moldova remains Level 2, with the standard warning against entering Transnistria, where U.S. consular access is limited and local authorities aren't internationally recognized. Overland travelers heading to Odesa should also confirm the current status of Ukraine border crossings before setting out, since routing shifts with the war. Long-stay planning for all three countries sits in the Ghana, Nigeria, Moldova country guide.