The process of obtaining a Schengen visa is growing more difficult for many Africans who aspire to travel to Europe for conferences, tourism, education, or family reunions. African applicants face some of the highest refusal rates for Schengen visas worldwide, according to recent data from the European Commission.
As rejection rates skyrocketed throughout the continent in 2024, thousands of African travelers had their dreams crushed. Official figures show that some of the hardest-hit nations in the world, including Comoros, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana, had rejection rates ranging from 45% to 63%.
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More than 11.7 million applications for short-stay visas were submitted to the Schengen zone, which is composed of 29 European nations, including France, Germany, and Spain, only this year. Although demand worldwide increased by 13.6%, the door remained tightly shut for many Africans.
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Africa Is Paying to Be Turned Down
Regardless of the result, each Schengen visa application costs €90 (about $100). Even if the application is denied, frequently with no justification, there is still a non-refundable cost that needs to be paid.
Africans lost an estimated €60 million ($67.5 million) in 2024 alone as a result of applications being denied, according to a study by the LAGO Collective. That money was used on silence and paperwork rather than travel.
“The poorest countries in the world are paying the richest countries not to let them in,” says Marta Foresti, founder of the UK-based group. “The poorer the country of origin, the higher the rejection rates.”
Africa’s Top 10 Most Affected Nations
The European Commission’s figures reveal just how unevenly the burden of rejections falls:
| Country | Schengen Visa Rejection Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Comoros | 62.8% |
| Guinea-Bissau | 47.0% |
| Senegal | 46.8% |
| Nigeria | 45.9% |
| Ghana | 45.5% |
| Congo-Brazzaville | 43.0% |
| Mali | ~43.0% |
| Guinea | 41.1% |
| Burundi | 40.0% |
| Ethiopia | 36.1% |
| Global Average | ~18.0% |
Note that Africa’s rejection rate is exceptionally high, considering that the global average is about 18%.
What Are The Reasons for The Rejections?
European embassies urge that every application be evaluated individually, taking into account factors such as the applicant’s readiness to return home, financial resources, and the reason for the visit. However, detractors claim that the procedure is still opaque and unaccountable.
According to Foresti, “these high rejection rates are not just administrative; they are a sign of deeper problems: systemic bias, suspicion, and inequality.”
Many applicants claim they frequently send in all the required paperwork, including bank statements, job letters, and travel insurance, only to get ambiguous rejections and unclear answers. Even for valid travel reasons like conferences or family gatherings, some people are turned away again and again.
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