PlatypusgewtAbove all, be smart. Know when to GTFO of an uncomfortable/dangerous situation. My friend spent a semester in Kenya and twice had to get off at another bus stop due to a public shooting happening downtown near his regular stop.Africa does not sound fun
I used to live in Senegal, on the west coast, for about 6 years. I cannot enjoy a party unless I know literally everyone there because so many of the markets in the city I lived in are pretty seedy for white people and I've always been taught to watch my back in large crowds.
Otherwise you're honestly pretty safe as long as you go to a stable country. Other than people getting pickpocketed in Sandaga Market or being sharked by sellers and taxi drivers I don't think I ever heard of anyone getting into trouble that we were acquainted with. Well there was one riot I saw, but we were able to avoid it and that was one riot over a period of six years anyways.