US Visa Bond Takes Effect TODAY for 20+ African Countries + Africa Tech Summit Nairobi Selects 12 Investor-Ready Ventures + Black Dragon Capital Expands to Saudi Arabia
Black-led investment firm brings media tech expertise to FOMEX 2026 in Riyadh. African founders must now post $5K-$15K bonds to enter US, implementation begins January 21 | Wednesday, January 21, 2026
Three stories define structural barriers, capital access pathways, and global expansion for Black and African entrepreneurs today.
The US visa bond program officially took effect Wednesday, January 21, 2026, requiring founders, investors, and executives from more than 20 African countries (including Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Kenya, Ghana) to post refundable bonds of $5,000-$15,000 when applying for B1/B2 business and tourist visas—locking up 1-3 months of working capital for early-stage startups and restricting access to US investors.
Africa Tech Summit Nairobi announced the 12 high-potential startups selected to showcase at its flagship Investment Showcase on February 11-12, 2026, at the Sarit Expo Centre—spanning fintech, Web3, climatetech, healthtech, agritech, and AI—offering founders direct exposure to 1,000+ companies including Cardano, Andela, Binance, Moniepoint, and Novastar Ventures.
Black Dragon Capital, the Black-led multi-phased investment firm founded by Louis Hernandez Jr., announced its participation in FOMEX 2026 (Future of Media Exhibition) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, February 2-4, strengthening ties through formal partnerships with the Saudi Media Forum and expanding its portfolio companies Grass Valley and Digital Joy into the Middle East.
US visa bonds restrict access (effective TODAY), African capital consolidates regionally
(Nairobi becomes investor hub), and Black-led firms access Middle Eastern capital (Saudi Arabia, UAE).
Silicon Valley’s loss.
The world’s gain.
US Visa Bond Takes Effect TODAY—African Founders from 20+ Countries Must Post $5K-$15K to Enter US
The Trump administration’s visa bond program officially took effect Wednesday, January 21, 2026, requiring founders, investors, executives, and freelancers from more than 20 African countries to post refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 when applying for US business and tourist visas (B1/B2).
The countries affected
Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Côte d’Ivoire, Angola, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, Zambia, The Gambia, Gabon, Benin, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Burundi, Cabo Verde, and others.
The requirements (effective TODAY)
Complete a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration bond form
Submit payment through the US Treasury’s online platform
Enter the US only through three designated airports: Boston Logan, JFK, and Washington Dulles
Receive the bond refund only after exiting the US before their authorized stay expires
Impact on early-stage startups
For African startups raising between $50,000 and $250,000 in seed capital, the $10,000 bond is equivalent to locking up one to three months of working capital.
Sending multiple team members to US conferences or investor meetings becomes prohibitively expensive.
The policy favors founders backed by international capital or institutional investors who can front the bond.
Those without liquidity—including many women and young entrepreneurs—will travel less frequently or not at all.
