Africa
Can you drink the tap water in Africa?
Last reviewed September 2026
Across most of Africa, tap water should not be assumed safe to drink without treatment. A handful of countries score better, but for travelers bottled or filtered water is the norm almost everywhere. On our index the 54 countries in Africa average 32/100 — but that average hides a wide spread, from Seychelles (63) down to Central African Republic (14). Scores above 70 mean tap water is generally safe to drink. 40–69 means treat it with caution — filtering or bottled water is wise. Below 40 means it’s best avoided straight from the tap.
Tap water safety in Africa, ranked
Every country in Africa, highest score first. Tap any country for its full breakdown.
Traveling in Africa: what to do about tap water
Because the range across Africa is so wide, the safe rule is to check the specific country before you go rather than assume the region is uniform. In any country scoring under 70, treat the tap water — a rolling boil handles microbes, a certified filter or sealed bottled water covers the rest, and it is worth being cautious with ice and raw produce too. Where a country scores 70 or above, the tap water is generally safe to drink and a refillable bottle is the cheaper, greener choice.
See also our guide on tap water safety while traveling and the full methodology.
Common questions about tap water in Africa
Can you drink the tap water in Africa?+
It varies by country. Of the 54 countries in Africa on our index, 0 rate as safe to drink, 11 are best treated with caution, and 43 are best avoided from the tap. The safest is Seychelles (63/100); the least safe is Central African Republic (14/100).
Which country in Africa has the safest tap water?+
Seychelles, scoring 63/100 — drink with caution. Open its page for the full breakdown.
Do you need bottled water in Africa?+
In the countries that score below 70 you should filter, boil, or buy bottled water; where a country scores 70+ the tap water is generally safe and bottled water is optional. Check the individual country before you travel — the range within Africa is wide.