U.S. Visa Hub Overhaul (Malabo Included): The Associated Press reports the U.S. will cut visa processing across Africa from nearly 50 embassy/consulate sites to 20 “hub” cities, expected to begin in June. Malabo, Equatorial Guinea is named as one of the remaining full-processing hubs, alongside places like Lagos, Accra, Addis Ababa, Johannesburg, and others—meaning applicants from non-hub countries may need to travel farther for interviews and biometrics, raising costs and travel friction for tourists, students, and business travelers. Deportation Hotel Spotlight (Bamy Hotel): A separate AP investigation says Equatorial Guinea’s Bamy Hotel in Malabo has been used as a holding site under a reported $7.5m deal with the Trump administration for asylum seekers deported from the U.S., with dozens held since late last year and many reportedly sent onward to home countries. Faith Tourism Boost: Pope Leo XIV’s April 2026 tour (including Equatorial Guinea) is driving renewed interest in Christian pilgrimage travel, with countries across Africa developing faith-based tourism routes and heritage church experiences. World Cup Ticket Refund Travel (Malawi): Malawi’s football federation orders holders of physical tickets for a cancelled Equatorial Guinea qualifier to travel to Lilongwe for refunds at Bingu National Stadium from June 2–4.