Displaced by the war in Ukraine, some African students struggle to continue their education

Months after Russian soldiers invaded Ukraine, some displaced African students determined to continue their education are finding it difficult to gain residence permits in Germany.

This is happening against the backdrop of many European countries—particularly those closest to Ukraine geographically—demonstrating unprecedented hospitality in welcoming millions of refugees.

Before the war, an estimated 76,000 foreign students were studying in Ukraine, and one-fourth of those were from Africa. Unlike Ukrainian students who have secured residence permits to continue with their education in Germany, their African counterparts are still battling for such acceptance. Among the Africans seeking to be accepted by German universities and granted residency permits are Egyptians, Algerians, Cameroonians, Nigerians, Ghanaians, Liberians, and Gambians.