Internal State Department memo outlines possible sweeping visa restrictions on major African partners, including Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, and Ghana
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nearly 40 African countries are at risk of facing U.S. travel bans or visa restrictions, according to an internal memo from the State Department, in what could become one of the most significant diplomatic shakeups in U.S.-Africa relations in recent years.
According to the Reuters report published Sunday, the classified cable outlines twelve grounds for imposing either full or partial travel restrictions on 36 countries across the African continent. The memo cites security concerns, unreliable identity documentation, lack of passport integrity, and some countries’ refusal or failure to repatriate deported nationals as primary justifications for the proposed measures.
If implemented, the restrictions would affect more than half of the African Union member states, including some of America’s key strategic partners such as Kenya, Nigeria, Egypt, Ghana, Ethiopia, and Ivory Coast.
Grounds for Restriction
The State Department memo, reportedly circulated internally last week, describes a set of twelve risk factors under which travel bans or sanctions could be triggered. These include:
- Countries issuing unreliable or fraudulent travel documents
- Weak passport security infrastructure
- Refusal to accept deportees from the United States
- Links to terrorism or extremist networks
- Involvement in anti-American or anti-Semitic activities
- Failure to meet international obligations in border security and visa systems
The document warns that failure to take corrective steps within 60 days may result in partial or total visa bans, which could affect categories including tourists, students, business travelers, and even diplomats.
Countries Named in the Memo
The list of African countries identified in the cable includes:
Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, Ghana, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Cameroon, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Gambia, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The United States has reportedly already taken preliminary action last week by imposing full travel bans on Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan.
Additionally, heightened restrictions were placed on Burundi, Sierra Leone, and Togo, limiting visa categories and introducing additional vetting requirements for travelers.
A U.S. government official familiar with the document said the new measures were “not punitive but protective,” arguing they are aimed at ensuring the integrity of U.S. immigration systems and protecting homeland security.
“We want to work in partnership with African nations to resolve these issues. But where there’s unwillingness or chronic non-compliance, we will act to safeguard American interests,” the official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.
High-Stakes Diplomacy
The sweeping nature of the proposed restrictions has alarmed foreign policy experts and regional observers, who fear the move could undermine years of diplomatic and economic cooperation between the U.S. and Africa.
“This could be interpreted as a hostile act by many African governments,” warned Dr. Nene Badu, a West Africa-based political analyst. “Countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and Ghana are critical U.S. partners in security, trade, and democracy promotion. This approach could backfire if not handled with tact.”
The travel restrictions come at a time when the United States is seeking to rebuild influence on the continent amid rising Chinese, Russian, and Turkish engagement in Africa. The Biden administration had previously emphasized mutual respect, investment, and partnership as key pillars of its Africa strategy.
However, critics argue that such sweeping measures may alienate allies and reinforce perceptions of unilateralism and discrimination.
“Imposing collective punishment on African nations for systemic weaknesses—many of which are tied to underdevelopment and post-colonial challenges—is both shortsighted and unfair,” said Dr. Amina Kande, a former African Union legal advisor.
African Leaders Yet to Respond
As of Tuesday morning, most of the affected African governments had not issued formal responses. However, diplomats in Addis Ababa, where the African Union headquarters is based, said discussions are already underway to formulate a continental position.
A Ghanaian diplomat told AfricaLiveNews under anonymity that Accra was “deeply concerned” by the developments and would seek urgent clarification from the U.S. Embassy.
“Ghana has long-standing security cooperation with the U.S., and any concerns raised should be addressed through diplomatic dialogue, not blanket restrictions,” the diplomat stated.
Kenyan authorities are also expected to request detailed information from Washington, particularly in light of ongoing security and intelligence partnerships between the two countries.
The government of Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, has historically been targeted by similar U.S. travel restrictions, particularly during the Trump administration in 2020, when visa bans were imposed on certain immigrant categories due to security concerns.
Broader Impact and Repercussions
The economic and social fallout from such restrictions could be far-reaching. In 2024, African nationals accounted for over 350,000 U.S. visa applications, with students, medical professionals, and business leaders forming a significant portion of travelers.
“The ripple effect will hit families, entrepreneurs, universities, and diplomatic relationships,” said Kweku Ansah, an immigration lawyer based in New York. “It will also fuel anti-American sentiment at a time when Washington needs more, not less, goodwill in Africa.”
The State Department cable reportedly gives affected countries a 60-day window to respond, take corrective action, or present plans to meet U.S. standards regarding deportation cooperation and travel document integrity.
Until then, immigration attorneys, advocacy groups, and international students are bracing for potential disruptions in visa processing, consular operations, and border entries.
What Happens Next
While the internal memo does not specify a precise date for implementation, policy analysts say the upcoming United Nations General Assembly in September 2025 could serve as a flashpoint for diplomatic negotiations—or tensions.
In Washington, the State Department has yet to issue a public statement on the cable, but several members of Congress are reportedly being briefed on the issue.
African civil society groups and diaspora organizations in the U.S. have begun mobilizing to lobby lawmakers and prevent the restrictions from taking full effect.
“The U.S. must remember that immigration policy is also foreign policy,” said Fatou Diallo, director of the African Diaspora Advocacy Coalition. “There’s still time to choose engagement over exclusion.”
As the 60-day countdown begins, the question now is whether dialogue and diplomacy can override distrust and deliver a solution that avoids a full-blown rift between the United States and much of Africa.
