High visa rejection rates continue to impede African travelers and entrepreneurs especially to the Schengen region in Europe.
According to recent data, seven out of the top ten countries with the highest visa rejection rates are African, highlighting a systemic issue that needs immediate attention.
The issue has severe implications for entrepreneurs who face restricted opportunities to expand their businesses internationally. This limitation not only curbs economic growth but also reinforces dependence on already saturated local markets.
The impact of these high rejection rates extends beyond business, affecting individuals who seek to travel for leisure, education, or familial visits. Such barriers contribute to a broader sense of isolation among those denied entry.
Governments are being urged to promote visa liberalization, streamline application processes, and address what many see as discriminatory practices that disproportionately affect African nations. The call for reform comes amid a backdrop of declining global Schengen visa applications, yet African applicants continue to face unusually high rejection rates, even though they submit fewer applications per capita.
Algeria sees the highest number of visa applications with 392,053 submissions and a 45.8% rejection rate. Guinea-Bissau and Nigeria follow closely with rejection rates of 45.2% and 45.1%, respectively. Ghana and Senegal also feature high on the list, with rejection rates of 43.6% and 41.6%.
These statistics underscore the challenges faced by Africans in accessing the Schengen area and highlight the urgent need for policy changes to ensure fair and equitable treatment in visa processing.
