The United States is considering a significant reduction in the number of its embassies and consulates in Africa authorized to process visa applications, according to a report by the Associated Press citing internal State Department documents and U.S. officials.

Under the proposed restructuring, the number of diplomatic missions across Africa handling visa services would be reduced from nearly 50 to just 20 regional processing hubs.

Major cities expected to retain visa-processing responsibilities include Abidjan, Accra, Dakar, Nairobi, Lagos, Kigali, Yaoundé, and Johannesburg, according to the report.

The move is part of a broader effort by the U.S. State Department to streamline consular operations and concentrate resources in strategically located regional centers. Embassies that would no longer process visas are expected to continue providing diplomatic services and assistance to U.S. citizens.

If implemented, the changes could affect thousands of African travelers seeking entry to the United States. Applicants in several countries may be required to travel to neighboring states to attend visa interviews and complete administrative procedures.

Analysts say the restructuring could increase travel costs and waiting times for students, business travelers, tourists, and prospective immigrants from countries that lose local visa-processing services.

For Côte d’Ivoire, however, the reform could strengthen Abidjan’s position as a regional diplomatic hub. The city is among those expected to continue processing visa applications and could serve applicants from neighboring countries.

The proposal has not yet been formally announced by the U.S. government, and details regarding its implementation remain subject to change. Nevertheless, the reported plan comes amid broader efforts by Washington to reassess its overseas diplomatic footprint and improve operational efficiency.

The U.S. State Department did not immediately comment on the report.