In 2026, U.S. visa policy is entering a more restrictive phase for large parts of Africa and the Middle East. Countries including Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, and Zimbabwe now face higher application costs, expanded biometric requirements, mandatory disclosure of social media and digital histories, and longer processing timelines. At the same time, several Sahel states have responded with reciprocal measures, suspending or banning visas for U.S. citizens. What began as a security-driven adjustment to immigration screening has evolved into a broader diplomatic signal, reshaping mobility, bilateral relations, and perceptions of U.S. engagement across Africa and the Middle East.

Fourteen Egyptians where among 17 confirmed dead migrants after their boat capsized in rough seas south of Crete, highlighting once again the lethal risks of the Mediterranean route from North Africa to Greece.

Egypt has raised fuel prices for the second time this year, increasing gasoline, diesel, and CNG rates by up to 13% as part of IMF-backed reforms to reduce subsidies and stabilize public finances. The move, effective October 17, is expected to ripple across transport, food, and manufacturing sectors as inflation remains stubbornly above 11%.