U.S. to Slash The Number of Embassies in Africa from 50 to 20

The Trump administration is moving to reduce the number of U.S. diplomatic missions in Africa that handle visa applications for foreigners seeking to enter the United States.

Currently, nearly 50 U.S. embassies and consulates across the continent process visas. That number will be lowered to 20 within the coming weeks, while no exact date has been set, the change is expected to take effect in June, the officials said. 

The reduction is part of a broader push by the administration to tighten controls on both immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuances. The goal is to limit overall immigration and crack down on individuals who enter on temporary visas but remain beyond their authorised stay. The administration has also reduced staffing levels at embassies and consulates worldwide.

The 20 hubs that will remain open for full visa processing are: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Ethiopia; Cape Town-South Africa, Senegal, Tanzania, Djibouti, Johannesburg-South Africa, Uganda, Rwanda, Congo, Nigeria, Togo, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Liberia, Kenya, Mauritius, Cape Verde and Cameroon.

Under the new system, citizens from non-hub countries will be required to travel to one of the 20 designated sites to apply for a visa. Consular offices in non-hub countries will remain open but will offer reduced services. They will continue to assist American citizens with passport renewals and emergency requests, as well as handle special cases involving national interests and diplomatic visa applications.