For thousands of Sierra Leoneans hoping to study, work, or visit loved ones abroad, securing a visa to Europe or the US has become an uphill battle.
Each year, countless applications are rejected, often after paying hefty, non-refundable fees that can set families back by months of savings.
Sierra Leoneans share the frustration of many Africans who find themselves on the wrong side of a lopsided system. Recent figures show that in 2022, African nations topped the list of Schengen visa rejections, with nearly one in three applications denied. Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, Guinea, and Mali, (Sierra Leone’s neighbours) faced rejection rates of over 40%.
“It’s like the system is designed to keep us out,” says Freetown resident Alhaji Sesay, who spent over Le8 million (approximately $350) on a visa application to attend his niece’s graduation in Belgium, only to be rejected with no explanation. “I paid all that money and didn’t even get a refund. It’s not fair.”
According to the London-based LAGO Collective, African countries have collectively lost an estimated $67.5 million in non-refundable Schengen visa fees since 2024. That money, earned through sweat and sacrifice, could have gone into local education, healthcare, or small businesses.
Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema recently challenged this system, calling for refunds to be given to rejected applicants. Many Sierra Leoneans are now asking: Shouldn’t we do the same?
African nations are beginning to push back. Namibia recently imposed visa requirements on over 30 countries that have failed to reciprocate its open-door policy. Nigeria has threatened similar action. Even Chad has warned France and the United States that it will apply reciprocity if its citizens continue to face obstacles.
“It’s time for us to rethink this imbalance,” says Kadiatu Jalloh, a policy analyst in Freetown. “Why should we be the ones paying huge sums and getting nothing in return, while they come here visa-free?”
European governments often claim they deny visas to applicants they suspect might not return home. But many Africans see this as a convenient excuse to silence African voices in global conversations. Important issues like climate change, AI, human trafficking, and mining policies are often discussed without African representation, despite these issues deeply affecting African lives.
Even respected experts and government officials find themselves stuck in the same queue.
“I’ve been invited to international conferences on development,” says Dr. Abdul Turay, an environmental expert. “And yet my visa is rejected, while European officials expect us to just accept policies they design without us.”
This isn’t just about overstaying visas. It’s about respect, dignity, and Africa’s rightful place at the table. African governments (Sierra Leone included) should come together at the African Union and demand fairness: refunds for rejected applicants, fair processing, and respect for African travelers.
In a globalised world where movement equals opportunity, Sierra Leoneans and all Africans deserve a fair shot.
