The high number of rejected Schengen visas for citizens of African countries in 2023 generated nearly 56 Mln euros for European countries, according to a recent study of Schengen visa statistics.
As African citizens face the highest rejection rates in the world when they try to visit Europe whether for business or pleasure, these disproportionate rejection rates harm commercial, economic, and educational partnerships on the African continent and damage local economies, according to the report.
Algeria tops countries’ rejection rates with 45.8% of the applications, followed by Guinea-Bissau with 45.2%. Nigeria came in third with 45.1%, Ghana was ranked fourth with 43.6%, and Senegal concluded the Top five list with a 41.6% rejection rate.
The study calls on Schengen countries to “reform their discriminatory practices.”