top international education stories from Africa

1. US student visa turmoil hits African students hard

During a year that saw students across the globe struggle to secure US visa appointments as the Trump administration tightened the process – and at one point paused interviews altogether – the ensuing chaos hit African students particularly hard. Especially affected were students from South Sudan, whose nationals had all their US visas revoked in what was touted an “unfair” blanket visa ban.

2. Students from 21 African countries slapped with three-month US visa rule

This summer, The PIE News reported that 21 African countries had been subjected to a new visa rule from the Trump administration meaning that after three months, students would have to re-apply for a new student visa if they left and re-entered the US – meaning additional fees and administrative burdens. Nigeria, the eighth largest sending market to the US, was among the countries affected, with critics labelling the policy “simply not practical”.

3. West Africa becomes regional hub for international education

Although still a major sending market, West Africa is making its mark on the international education landscape by becoming an increasingly popular study destination in its own right. West African destinations are emerging as the continent’s fastest-growing region for international student searches, seeing 25% growth between April and July 2025, according to Keystone data.

4. Trump’s expanded travel ban knocks hopes for young Africans

In another move affecting Africa-US relationships, in December, the Trump administration added another 20 countries – including Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and South Sudan – to its travel ban, barring nationals from these countries without an existing visa from entering the US. In a moving opinion piece for The PIE, Bimpe Femi-Oyewo, founder of a Nigerian education consulting firm, shared her sadness over the move.

5. UK visa crackdown rumoured to target Nigerians over asylum fears

Just before the publication of the UK’s long-awaited immigration white paper in May, rumours were rife that the UK would make it harder for people from certain countries with high rates over visa overstaying or asylum claims to enter the country. Among the countries facing tougher scrutiny, it was suggested, were Nigeria, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Although the whispers turned out to be unfounded, with the white paper not making any such recommendations, the UK is paying special attention to the number of international students claiming asylum once in the UK – suggesting the government could be positioning itself to take a more hardline position.