Stop exploiting Africa: Hichilema slams EU and UK over non-refundable visa fees

DDM News

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema has demanded that the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) refund African nations for visa application fees that go unreturned after widespread rejections.

In a statement shared via the verified X handle @AfricanHub, President Hichilema described the current visa policy as “exploitative” and called for a full review of the system.

He stressed that African citizens pay substantial amounts in visa application fees, only to face high rejection rates with no refund, an outcome he believes to be both unjust and financially predatory.

According to the figures highlighted by Hichilema, African nations collectively lost over $70 million in 2024 due to rejected visa applications to the EU.

An additional £44 million, approximately $59 million, was lost to rejected UK visa applications.

These losses, he said, reflect a systemic issue that needs urgent international redress.

Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the president’s remarks echo long-standing frustrations across the African continent regarding Western visa regimes.

For many years, African travelers, students, entrepreneurs, academics, and tourists, have faced expensive, complex visa processes, only to be denied without refunds or clear explanations.

Visa fees to countries like the UK can range from £100 to over £1,500 depending on the visa type.

In many cases, supporting documentation, travel bookings, and even biometrics are submitted, further adding to the financial burden.

Yet, when these applications are rejected, applicants receive neither a refund nor a detailed rationale behind the decision.

President Hichilema argued that such practices betray the values of fairness and mutual respect, especially considering the openness with which European nationals are welcomed into most African countries.

He noted that many EU and UK citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access across Africa, while African travelers face rigid restrictions, high costs, and minimal success.

This statement adds political weight to what had long been a grassroots concern.

Numerous African civil society organizations, migration advocacy groups, and diaspora communities have criticized these visa policies as discriminatory and profit-driven.

A 2023 report by Henley & Partners confirmed that African passport holders face some of the strictest visa restrictions globally.

Many are required to submit more documentation and pay more in application fees than applicants from wealthier nations, despite having lower approval odds.

Observers say Hichilema’s comments may prompt the African Union and other regional blocs to take up the issue diplomatically.

Should these concerns remain unaddressed, African governments might consider introducing reciprocal restrictions on European travelers, raising the stakes in an already tense global migration climate.

As the world debates the ethics of international mobility, President Hichilema’s intervention signals a pushback from African leadership demanding fairness, transparency, and economic justice for its citizens seeking to travel abroad.

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