Dar es Salaam. Tanzania has been ranked as one of the eight safest countries in Africa, making it a desirable tourist destination, according to a recent review by Altezza Travel.
Altezza Travel, a Tanzanian destination management company with over 10 years of impeccable service and a strong reputation, is renowned for organising unforgettable safaris and hiking adventures across the country.
Altezza Travel Assistant Director, Mr Dickson Muganda, has shared the findings with The Citizen, noting that the review, conducted in early January 2025, sought to counteract misleading portrayals of Africa as an insecure continent.
“The analysis shows that the negative reports about Africa are false and ill-intentioned. The continent has safer countries than many European nations,” said Mr Muganda.
He said the review involved selecting the top 7-10 leading countries and ranking them based on various safety indices.
Furthermore, he said Tanzania secured the eighth position, followed by Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Namibia, Zambia, Ghana, and Mauritius, which emerged as the safest country on the continent.
8. Tanzania
With a population of 68.6 million, Tanzania is known for its political stability and safety.
The country, with its capital in Dodoma and economic hub in Dar es Salaam, offers steady economic growth, driven by trade, investment, and tourism.
Tanzania is renowned for its unique natural beauty, including the Serengeti, Ngorongoro Crater, and Mount Kilimanjaro, which draw global attention.
Tourism is a key sector of Tanzania’s economy, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors annually for safaris, beach holidays in Zanzibar, and cultural experiences in Stone Town.
The country is also famous for the Great Migration, tree-climbing lions, and Lake Tanganyika, the world’s second-deepest lake.
In 2023, Tanzania rose 11 places in the Global Peace Index, surpassing countries like Thailand, France, and China.
Its terrorist threat level is lower than the UK, the US, and many European nations.
However, Tanzania faces challenges in human development, ranking 167th out of 193 on the UN Human Development Index, indicating room for further improvement.
Other countries in the top rankings
Egypt, with a population of 112.7 million, benefits from its strategic location between the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
It ranks 105th for peace and 20th for terrorism risk, mainly due to regional tensions.
However, its crime rate is lower than in countries like the UK, US, and France.
6. Tunisia
Tunisia, with a population of 12.3 million, offers direct access to Europe across the Mediterranean.
It ranks 73rd globally for peace and has a relatively low crime rate compared to countries like Canada, Ireland, and the UK.
5. Morocco
With a population of 39.2 million, Morocco is Africa’s economic hub.
It ranks higher than countries like Nepal, France, and China for peace, with no significant terrorism threat.
Its crime rate is lower than in the UK, US, Sweden, and other benchmark nations.
4. Namibia
Namibia, with a population of 2.8 million, is known for its political stability and low crime rate.
It ranks highly in the Peace and Terrorism Indices and outperforms countries like Kenya and Zambia in safety rankings.
Zambia, with a population of 21.1 million, has enjoyed political stability since its independence in 1964.
It ranks second-lowest globally for terrorism risk and has a crime rate lower than countries such as Greece, Ireland, and the UK.
Ghana, with a population of 34.5 million, is known for its independent judiciary and multiparty democracy.
It ranks highly in the Global Peace Index, surpassing countries like France and China. Its crime rate is lower than in Canada, Greece, and Australia.
1. Mauritius
Mauritius, with a population of 1.3 million, is Africa’s safest nation, ranking highly in the Global Peace Index.
It has the lowest terrorism threat level and a crime rate lower than in the UK, New Zealand, and Belgium.
The country leads in globalization and has remained conflict-free for the past five years.
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Tanzania Confirms Second Marburg Outbreak After WHO Chief Visit
Dar es Salaam — Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan has declared an outbreak of Marburg virus, confirming a single case in the northwestern region of Kagera after a meeting with WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
The confirmation follows days of speculation about a possible outbreak in the region, after the WHO reported a number of deaths suspected to be linked to the highly infectious disease.
While Tanzania’s Ministry of Health declared last week that all suspected cases had tested negative for Marburg, the WHO called for additional testing at international reference laboratories.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”Amelia Clemence, public health researcher
Subsequent laboratory tests conducted at Kagera’s Kabaile Mobile Laboratory and confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one positive case, while 25 other suspected cases tested negative, the president told a press conference in Dodoma, in the east of the country today (Monday).
“The epicentre has now shifted to Biharamulo district of Kagera,” she told the press conference, distinguishing this outbreak from the previous one centred in Bukoba district.
Tedros said the WHO would release US$3 million from its emergencies contingency fund to support efforts to contain the outbreak.
Health authorities stepped up surveillance and deployed emergency response teams after the WHO raised the alarm about nine suspected cases in the region, including eight deaths.
The suspected cases displayed symptoms consistent with Marburg infection, including headache, high fever, diarrhoea, and haemorrhagic complications, according to the WHO’s alert to member countries on 14 January. The organisation noted a case fatality rate of 89 per cent among the suspected cases.
“We appreciate the swift attention accorded by the WHO,” Hassan said.
She said her administration immediately investigated the WHO’s alert.
“The government took several measures, including the investigation of suspected individuals and the deployment of emergency response teams,” she added.
Cross-border transmission
The emergence of this case in a region that experienced Tanzania’s first-ever Marburg outbreak in March 2023 has raised concerns about cross-border transmission, particularly following Rwanda’s recent outbreak that infected 66 people and killed 15 before being declared over in December 2024.
The situation is particularly critical given Kagera’s position as a transport hub connecting four East African nations.
Amelia Clemence, a public health researcher working in the region, says constant vigilance is required.
“We never know when an outbreak might occur in a neighbouring nation. So we ensure infection prevention control assessments at every point of care as routine as a morning greeting at our workplaces.”
The Kagera region’s ecosystem, home to fruit bats that serve as natural reservoirs for the Marburg virus, adds another layer of complexity to disease surveillance efforts.
The virus, closely related to Ebola, spreads through contact with bodily fluids and can cause severe haemorrhagic fever.
Transparency urged
Elizabeth Sanga, shadow minister of health for Tanzania’s ACT Wazalendo opposition party, says greater transparency would help guide public health measures.
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“This could have helped to guide those who are traveling to the affected region to be more vigilant and prevent the risk of further spread,” she said.
WHO regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti says early notification of investigation outcomes is important.
“We stand ready to support the government in its efforts to investigate and ensure that measures are in place for an effective and rapid response,” she said, noting that existing national capacities built from previous health emergencies could be quickly mobilised.
The situation coincides with leadership changes in Tanzania’s Ministry of Health, with both the chief medical officer and permanent secretary being replaced.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Sub-Saharan Africa English desk.
Source: allafrica.com
