5open jobs
4organisations hiring
0violent events in 3 months
To prepare a mission or a new post: the essential context, region by region. This briefing does not replace your organisation's security briefing on arrival.
Guinea's deep Muslim heritage arrived via the neighboring Almoravid Empire in the 11th century. Following Almoravid decline, Guinea existed on the fringe of several African kingdoms, all competing for regional dominance. In the 13th century, the Mali Empire took control of Guinea and encouraged its already growing Muslim faith. After the fall of the West African empires, various smaller kingdoms controlled Guinea. In the 18th century, Fulani Muslims established an Islamic state in central Guinea that provided one of the earliest examples of a written constitution and alternating leadership. European traders first arrived in the 16th century, and the French secured colonial rule in the 19th century.
In 1958, Guinea achieved independence from France. Sekou TOURE became Guinea’s first post-independence president; he established a dictatorial regime and ruled until his death in 1984, after which General Lansana CONTE staged a coup and seized the government. He too established an authoritarian regime and manipulated presidential elections until his death in 2008, when Captain Moussa Dadis CAMARA led a military coup, seized power, and suspended the constitution. In 2009, CAMARA was wounded in an assassination attempt and was exiled to Burkina Faso. In 2010 and 2013 respectively, the country held its first free and fair presidential and legislative elections. Alpha CONDE won the 2010 and 2015 presidential elections, and his first cabinet was the first all-civilian government in Guinean history. CONDE won a third term in 2020 after a constitutional change to term limits. In 2021, Col Mamady DOUMBOUYA led another successful military coup, establishing the National Committee for Reconciliation and Development (CNRD), suspending the constitution, and dissolving the government and the legislature. DOUMBOUYA was sworn in as transition president and appointed Mohamed BEAVOGUI as transition prime minister. The National Transition Council (CNT), which acts as the legislative body for the transition, was formed in 2022 and consists of appointed members representing a broad swath of Guinean society.
presidential republic
While the political environment is currently stable, there is ongoing tension between the government and opposition parties.
Protests linked to economic challenges, such as electricity shortages, occur from time to time. Tensions can rise quickly. Public gatherings and demonstrations can start with little or no warning and may turn violent. In the past, protestors have damaged public buildings, and there have been fatalities and injuries among protestors and bystanders.
Stay away from demonstrations, especially near military installations, and monitor reliable, local and international media for updates. If you see crowds forming or signs of unrest, move promptly to a safe location.
Fulani (Peuhl) 33.4%, Malinke 29.4%, Susu 21.2%, Guerze 7.8%, Kissi 6.2%, Toma 1.6%, other/foreign 0.4% (2018 est.)
French (official), Pular, Maninka, Susu, other native languages
Muslim 85.2%, Christian 13.4%, animist 0.2%, none 1.2% (2018 est.)
Country profiles: The World Factbook (CIA), public domain, last edition (2025-2026).
growing but primarily agrarian West African economy; major mining sector; improving fiscal and debt balances prior to COVID-19; economy increasingly vulnerable to climate change; slow infrastructure improvements; gender wealth and human capital gaps
15.1 MPopulation2025
38.5 %Urban population2025
$1,877GDP per capita2025
7.4 %GDP growth2025
3.6 %Inflation2025
11.7 %Extreme poverty (international line)2018
5.2 %Unemployment2025
39.6 %Adult literacy2018
33.3 %Internet users2024
53.8 %Access to electricity2024
2,154refugees hosted2025
172asylum seekers2025
104,318refugees and asylum seekers from the country2025
Indicators: World Bank (CC BY 4.0); refugees and displaced people: UNHCR Refugee Data Finder. Latest available year for each figure.
Guinean (or National) Armed Forces (Forces Armées Guinéennes): Army, Air Force, Navy, National GendarmerieMinistry of Security: National Police (2025)
Informative list, to be complemented by your organisation's security analysis and NGO security forums.
UK government (FCDO) travel advice. Some guidance is aimed at British nationals; always follow your organisation's instructions.
No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
Follow FCDO:
Organised violence events recorded by UCDP, July – September 2026.
No organised violence event recorded in the country over this period.
There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
Terrorist attacks in Guinea cannot be ruled out.
Attacks could be indiscriminate including in places visited by foreigners. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of local authorities.
While the political environment is currently stable, there is ongoing tension between the government and opposition parties.
Protests linked to economic challenges, such as electricity shortages, occur from time to time. Tensions can rise quickly. Public gatherings and demonstrations can start with little or no warning and may turn violent. In the past, protestors have damaged public buildings, and there have been fatalities and injuries among protestors and bystanders.
Stay away from demonstrations, especially near military installations, and monitor reliable, local and international media for updates. If you see crowds forming or signs of unrest, move promptly to a safe location.
Border areas of Guinea are often tense with an increased military presence. Security has improved but things can still be tense, particularly at big events such as elections.
For assistance or to report a crime in Conakry, call the local police Commissaire on +224 622 86 94 71.
Criminals posing as police or military, armed with military weapons, have robbed drivers and their passengers at gunpoint, particularly at night. Violent carjackings are a threat, especially in the outlying suburbs of Conakry. Reduce the risk of vehicle crime by:
There are occasional reports of hold-ups and armed robbery on the roads to:
If you plan to arrive in Conakry on a flight after dark, arrange your airport transfer before you travel.
Break-ins are common, and burglars may be armed. There is also a high level of street crime – mugging, pickpocketing and bag-snatching. Take precautions by:
The British Embassy in Conakry is aware of police extorting cash from foreigners and Guineans.
Take particular care if you trade gold and diamonds. This trade attracts criminal gangs and can involve kidnapping and extortion. There are reports of trading scams involving diamonds, gold export and gold certification.
The criminal justice process in Guinea falls below international standards. If you are arrested or detained due process may not be followed and delays should be expected. Pre-trial detention is common and can last for many months.
Local prison conditions are harsh, often without regular food and water. The main prison in Conakry suffers from serious overcrowding.
Always carry photo ID such as a passport.
Do not become involved with illegal drugs of any kind.
If you commit a drugs crime, you are likely to be prosecuted. There are heavy penalties for those convicted.
Photography and filming in many areas is highly restricted. This includes:
It’s illegal to photograph or film anything of strategic value such as airports and bridges. Do not photograph military or police installations or government buildings, or you could be arrested.
Individuals may prefer not to be photographed. If in doubt, ask, or do not take pictures.
Credit cards are not widely used in Guinea and obtaining hard currency is very difficult. There are a few ATMs in Conakry that accept foreign cards, but they give only small amounts of currency. They are also unreliable. Banks in Conakry accept international credit cards and exchange money.
Exchanging foreign currency on the street is illegal. Foreign nationals have been arrested and held in military custody for using unofficial money changers even for small amounts, including at the airport.
Same-sex sexual activity is illegal. Penalties range from 6 months to 3 years in prison and a fine of 500,000 to 1 million Guinean francs.
Same-sex relationships are not widely accepted or understood. Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
You need an export licence to take precious stones out of Guinea. Gem smuggling is illegal, and anyone convicted can expect a severe prison sentence. Local prison conditions are harsh.
If you are planning to drive in Guinea, see information on driving abroad.
You’ll need to have both the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP) and your UK driving licence with you in the car. You cannot buy an IDP outside the UK, so get one before you travel.
Most major hotels and travel agencies offer cars for hire, with a driver if required.
Road travel can be hazardous, especially during the rainy season from May to October. Roads, even within Conakry and other principal towns, can be flooded and become impassable.
The standard of road maintenance is low. Many roads are unmetalled and have deep potholes as damage caused during the rainy season goes unrepaired.
Fuel is not always available at petrol stations. Carry an emergency supply on long journeys.
British Embassy staff avoid road travel outside the Conakry region at night. If staff choose to hire transport for personal journeys, they are encouraged to satisfy themselves in advance of the vehicle’s roadworthiness and the driver’s competence. The use of moto-taxis and shared taxis/tuk-tuks is not advised.
Taxis and long-distance buses are generally poorly maintained, overcrowded, and the drivers are often unqualified.
Police and local militia maintain checkpoints across the country. They check vehicle and passenger documentation and baggage. Corruption and extortion are common at roadblocks. Occasionally, checkpoints can be a pretext for armed robbery.
The authorities may close the Guinea-Sierra Leone border at short notice.
There have been reports of piracy attacks against vessels in Guinean territorial waters.
60.9yearsLife expectancy2024
92.1per 1,000 live birthsUnder-5 mortality2024
494per 100,000 live birthsMaternal mortality2023
286.1per 1,000 people at riskMalaria (new cases)2024
0.21per 1,000 peoplePhysicians2022
74.2 %Basic drinking water access2024
Before you travel check that:
This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
In remote areas you will have to arrange local transport. In Conakry, call local clinics.
Clinique Pasteur: +224 621 35 01 01 or +224 664 26 98 53
International Clinic: +224 654 05 55 55 or +224 654 09 99 99
Clinique Ambroise Paré: +224 631 40 10 40
Hôpital de l’Amitié Sino-Guinéenne: +224 621 08 88 62
Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
At least 8 weeks before your trip:
See what health risks you’ll face in Guinea, including:
There are occasional outbreaks of Ebola in Guinea. The last one was in 2021. Cholera and malaria are also present in Guinea and have similar early symptoms to Ebola. You can read more information on Ebola and similar diseases.
There are some well-stocked pharmacies in Conakry but few outside the capital. Check that medicine is genuine.
The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
Medical facilities are poor. Equipment is basic and often not sterile. Carry basic medical supplies and a first aid kit.
For serious medical treatment, medical evacuation to Europe is necessary. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.
FCDO has a list of medical providers in Guinea where some staff will speak English.
Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
Passport Index Data (passportindex.org), MIT licence. Indicative, for a tourist stay; always check with the embassy or consulate. (17 February 2026)
This information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Guinea’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
The authorities in Guinea set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Guinean Embassy in the UK.
To enter Guinea, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive.
Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.
You must have a visa to visit Guinea for up to 90 days. Make sure you apply for the correct visa – British nationals have been refused entry with the wrong one.
You can apply online for an e-visa for private and business travel. You must apply several days in advance and upload scanned documents, including a yellow fever vaccination certificate. When you arrive in Guinea, take your e-visa registration receipt to the entry checkpoint, where border officials will issue your visa.
To enter Guinea, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination if you’re coming from a country listed as a transmission risk.
For more details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, including yellow fever, see TravelHealthPro’s Guinea guide.
There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Guinea. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
There is no limit on cash you can bring into Guinea. When you leave, you cannot take more than 100,000 Guinean francs, or 5,000 US dollars or the equivalent in euros.
Before you arrive, register with the coordination bodies: they share alerts, cluster meetings and useful contacts.
Clusters: health, nutrition, protection, WASH, food security, shelter, education, logistics, emergency telecommunications and CCCM. OCHA publishes their meetings and contacts in each country where they are activated.
Organisations hiring in the country, based on open jobs on the site:
Violence over the last 3 months, jobs and passages of official advice that mention the region.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
For assistance or to report a crime in Conakry, call the local police Commissaire on +224 622 86 94 71.
Criminals posing as police or military, armed with military weapons, have robbed drivers and their passengers at gunpoint, particularly at night. Violent carjackings are a threat, especially in the outlying suburbs of Conakry. Reduce the risk of vehicle crime by:
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
No organised violence recorded over the period.
This briefing gathers public information to prepare a mission. It does not replace your organisation's security analysis, your security focal point's instructions or the country's authorities.