High visa rejection rates pose a significant barrier for Africans looking to travel abroad, particularly to the Schengen region in Europe. Data shows that 70% of the top 10 countries with the highest visa rejection rates are African.
Entrepreneurs are especially affected, as visa denials hinder their ability to expand their businesses beyond domestic markets.
This not only limits economic opportunities but also perpetuates dependence on local markets. Travel for leisure, education, or visiting purposes is also hindered by visa rejections, leading to a sense of isolation for those denied entry.
Governments need to take action to promote visa liberalization, streamline application processes, and address discriminatory practices. Africa accounts for seven of the top ten countries with the highest Schengen visa rejection rates, indicating a pressing need for reform.
Recent reports show a decline in global Schengen visa applications, with African applicants facing particularly high rejection rates despite submitting fewer applications per capita.
RANK COUNTRY VISA APPLICATIONS VISA REJECTIONS REJECTION RATES
1 Algeria 392,053 179,409 45.8%
2 Guinea-Bissau 7,990 3,611 45.2%
3 Nigeria 86,815 39,189 45.1%
4 Ghana 42,124 18,363 43.6%
5 Senegal 56,866 23,683 41.6%
