The United States is planning a major restructuring of its visa-processing operations across Africa, with reports indicating that the number of embassies and consulates handling visa applications could be reduced from nearly 50 to just 20 locations.

The proposed move, approved by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, is expected to affect visa services across the continent in the coming weeks.

20 African Cities Selected as Visa Hubs

According to reports citing US officials and an internal memo, the decision was communicated to American diplomats and consular chiefs during a conference call held on May 29.

Under the proposed arrangement, visa-processing services will be concentrated in 20 designated hubs across Africa.

The selected locations include Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, Addis Ababa, Dakar, Kampala, Kigali, Kinshasa, Lomé and Yaoundé, among others.

Other approved centres include Abidjan, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Dar es Salaam, Djibouti, Luanda, Malabo, Monrovia, Port Louis and Praia.

Implementation Date Yet to Be Confirmed

Although the restructuring plan has reportedly received approval, US authorities have not officially announced when the changes will take effect.

The proposal is expected to reshape visa application procedures for travellers across several African countries, particularly in locations that may lose direct visa-processing services.

Part of Wider Diplomatic Changes

The reported decision comes months after the administration of US President Donald Trump reportedly recalled ambassadors from more than two dozen countries, with African nations among the most affected.

Observers say the latest development could further alter the US diplomatic footprint across the continent, particularly in the area of consular services and visa administration.