Listed as Least Concern as this species is widespread, adapts readily to modified habitats, and is not subject to any known threats.

This cobra is widespread in sub-Saharan Africa, ranging from Senegal to western South Sudan and East Africa (where it is widespread, but largely absent from northeastern Kenya and much of southern Tanzania), and across all climatic zones from the Sahel to the humid tropics (Trape and Mané 2006). It is known from every territory in mainland West Africa except Liberia, though only from southern regions of Mauritania and Mali (Trape and Mané 2006). Isolated subpopulations are known from Ethiopia and from Djebel Marra in eastern Sudan (Wüster and Broadley 2007). There is a subpopulation in southwestern Zambia (Branch 1998, Broadley 2003). It occurs from sea level to around 1,700 m asl.

In at least part of its range (Nigeria), this species is colonizing deforested areas and occurs in higher densities in disturbed surburban habitats and plantation-forest matrix than in native habitats, suggesting that the population is likely to be increasing in this area (Luiselli et al. 2002). It does not appear to be expanding its range in Tanzania. It is known from a single record in Ethiopia; all other historical records from this country were found on examination to represent Naja ashei (Largen and Spawls 2010).

This species occurs in savanna and open forest, and will also enter houses in search of domestic poultry and their eggs (Trape and Mané 2006). In a study in Nigeria, it was found to be most common in suburban habitats, and also occurred at high densities in areas with a mixture of plantations and forest, although it was rare in mature forest (Luiselli et al. 2002). It has been recorded from the capital cities of Burundi and Rwanda (Spawls et al. 2018). It is nocturnal and also feeds on amphibians, reptiles and rodents (Trape and Mané 2006). It is oviparous, laying 8–20 eggs.

There are no specific threats to this widespread, adaptable species.

There is a limited trade in this species. Between 2003 and 2005, 12 living specimens were exported from Togo (Segniagbeto et al. 2011) for unknown purposes. Jensen et al. (2019) recorded 30 animals advertised for export with claimed origins in Tanzania, Guinea and Egypt (the latter not considered a range state) to the North American and European pet trade between 2013 and 2017.

This species is present in many protected areas.