African artists are increasingly facing visa rejections in various parts of the world – and it is because immigration officials don’t think they will want to return home.

The recent struggle of Kenyan disc jockey and performer, Coco Em, to travel to a festival in Cape Verde by transiting through Amsterdam has reignited concerns over the perceived unjust treatment meted out to Africans.

She shared her experience on Twitter in November 2022.

Coco Em (born Emma Nzioka) was billed to perform at the Terra Sagrada festival but she was refused entry unless she met stringent requirements.

She had anticipated this show and had made preparations for nearly a year, only to be told at the airport in her home country that she could not board the flight unless she bought a return ticket.

“This rule is not written on any of their official websites or social media pages so the only way to know is just to know?” she wrote in a statement appealing the decision.

Though she claimed she had a valid Schengen visa (a visa which allows you entry into the 27 European member states of the Schengen area, including the Netherlands), Coco Em stated there were other reasons why she was not allowed to travel.

According to her, the airline staff said they weren’t sure of her relationship with her country of transit (Amsterdam). “Are you sure you will come back mmmh?” she said the staff asked.

Furthermore, her statement indicated how allegations of Africans causing trouble, tearing up their passports and refusing to leave until they’re being deported made up the reasons for these stringent actions.