List of U.S. Embassies Trump administration allegedly wants to shut down in Africa leaked; Ghana and Nigeria excluded

A leaked State Department document, obtained by CNN, reveals that President Donald Trump is planning to close approximately 30 U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide, with several African nations on the list.

The proposed closures are part of a broader effort to shrink America’s diplomatic footprint, driven by the administration’s cost-cutting agenda and the influence of the Elon Musk-backed Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

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Notably, Nigeria is not among the countries targeted for closure, a detail that has sparked discussion on X about its strategic significance.

The document outlines the closure of 10 embassies and 17 consulates, primarily in Africa and Europe, but also in Asia and the Caribbean. In Africa, the plan includes shutting down embassies in several nations and a consulate in South Africa.

The closures, which require congressional approval, could impact U.S. influence in regions where competitors like China are expanding their presence.

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The State Department’s proposed budget for 2026 is $28.4 billion, a steep 48% cut from the current $54.4 billion, reflecting the administration’s focus on reducing federal spending.

U.S. Diplomatic Missions in Africa Proposed for Closure:

• Central African Republic
• Republic of Congo
• Eritrea
• Gambia
• Lesotho
• South Sudan
• South Africa (Durban consulate)

Aside Africa, the plan targets embassies in Malta, Luxembourg, Grenada, and the Maldives, as well as consulates in France (Bordeaux, Lyon, Marseille, Rennes, Strasbourg), Germany (Düsseldorf, Leipzig), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Mostar, Banja Luka), the UK (Edinburgh), South Korea (Busan), Indonesia (Medan), and Cameroon (Douala).

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The document also proposes reducing the U.S. diplomatic presence in Somalia and Iraq, key areas for counterterrorism efforts, raising concerns about national security implications.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has not publicly confirmed the plan, and State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce declined to comment on the leak, referring questions to the White House.

The proposed closures are not final and could face resistance in Congress, particularly from lawmakers concerned about diminishing U.S. global influence. As the Trump administration moves forward, the debate over balancing fiscal restraint with diplomatic priorities is likely to intensify.

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