A new study from the Centre for European Reform (CER), an independent think-tank, has raised concerns that the EU’s visa policies are discriminatory towards Africa, damaging the bloc’s global reputation.
According to CER, while the EU leaders emphasise the importance of strong EU-Africa connections, the current visa policies suggest otherwise, Schengen.News reports.
To be able to boost its soft power as well as restore its reputation in Africa, the organisation suggested that the EU reform its Schengen visa system and start applying more favourable rules for countries of the continent.
READ: News: 89,344 Nigerian Schengen Visa Applications Denied, Representing 46.35% Rejection Rate
Data show that in 2022 alone, the EU rejected 30 per cent of Schengen visa applications from African countries. This represents an 18 per cent increase compared to 2014.
The highest rejections during 2022 were for Algeria and Nigeria, with the two African countries recording Schengen visa rejection rates of between 40 and 50 per cent.
As the EU authorities have explained, the high rejection rate is mainly due to the risk of recipients overstaying in the bloc.
READ: Tourism: Rising Schengen Visa Rejection Rates Pose Challenges for African Travelers
However, CER argues that there is little to no available data on the number of overstayers. The same stressed that there is no evidence that suggest that the high rejection rate of the EU reduced overstaying.
Business Leaders Say Visa Barriers Limit Opportunities for Collaboration & Growth
African business leaders are some of many who have complained about the visa barriers they face when wanting to reach the EU.
According to business leaders from different African countries, it has become very hard for them to access the European markets and expand their global connections due to the restriction on short-term visa-free access to the EU.
A number of world-famous African lecturers, architects, musicians, and scientists, among others, have complained about having their Schengen visa applications rejected at the last minute with minimal explanation.
This, according to the Alliance for Medical Research in Africa, has pushed them to opt to take up long-term employment in the bloc so they no longer have to go through the procedures needed to make short visits.
