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An Overview of Africa’s Residency and Citizenship by Investment Programs

Starting at as little as US$35,000, gaining residency or citizenship in Africa is within easy reach for foreigners.

Moustafa Daly
Cairo

Starting at as little as US$35,000, gaining residency or citizenship in Africa is within easy reach for wealthy foreigners.

When considering investment migration, the Caribbean and European golden visa programs are often the first that come to mind, alongside notable options such as the US EB-5 program, Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP), and the UAE Golden Visa. Africa is often overlooked, despite its diverse range of residency and citizenship by investment (RCBI) programs offering a variety of options that combine accessibility with many long-term benefits.

From Mauritius’ US$35,000 business residency to Egypt’s flexible citizenship pathways starting at $250,000, African countries are constantly establishing competitive routes for foreign investors to secure residency or citizenship.

Many programs also feature expedited timelines, such as Sierra Leone’s direct citizenship route, which can be completed in as little as 60 days, or Cape Verde’s quick residency process, which takes just four weeks.

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Below is a detailed guide to all the active RCBI programs available across Africa and what they offer.

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone in West Africa offers one of the continent’s most affordable residency programs, complete with an expedited investment migration process. It has programs tailored for foreign investors and individuals of African ancestry.

GO-FOR-GOLD Permanent Residency Program

  • Minimum Investment: US$65,000 plus one kilogram of gold to secure permanent residency.
  • Path to Citizenship: Available after five years.
  • Processing Time: 40 days.

Direct Citizenship Program

  • Heritage Naturalization: Individuals of African ancestry can get citizenship in 60 days by donating US$100,000 and providing DNA proof.
  • Fast-Track Naturalization: On this expedited track, individuals can obtain citizenship in 90 days by donating US$140,000.

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Cape Verde

Cape Verde, an island nation in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West Africa, offers a Green Card Program that provides a straightforward path to permanent residency through affordable real estate investments.

Green Card Program
Cape Verde offers permanent residency to individuals who invest a minimum of €80,000 (approximately US$94,000) in real estate.

  • Path to Citizenship: Available after five years of habitual residence.
  • Processing Time: Two to four weeks.

Egypt

Egypt, home to one of the largest and most dynamic economies in Africa, offers flexible citizenship options starting at US$250,000. Applicants can choose from donations, real estate purchases, business investments, or bank deposits.

Citizenship by Investment Program

  • Investment Options:
    • Donation: US$250,000 (non-refundable).
    • Real Estate: US$300,000 (installments allowed).
    • Business Investment: US$350,000 plus a US$100,000 donation.
    • Bank Deposit: US$500,000 refundable after three years.
  • Time to Citizenship: Six to nine months.

Residence by Investment Program

  • Minimum investment: US$50,000
  • Real estate: US$50,000 (one-year permit), US$100,000 (three-year permit), or US$200,000 (5-year permit)
  • Bank deposit: US$50,000 (one-year permit) or US$100,000 (three-year permit)
  • Physical presence requirement: None
  • Processing time: One to three months

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Namibia

Namibia offers a residency-by-investment program through luxury real estate investment. Successful applicants receive renewable five-year residency permits, with the potential to qualify for permanent residency and citizenship after ten years.

Residency by Investment Program

  • Minimum Investment: US$316,000 in the President’s Links Estate, a luxury real estate development in Walvis Bay.
  • Path to Citizenship: Available after ten years.
  • Physical Presence Requirement: None.
  • Processing Time: Three months.

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Mauritius

Mauritius, an island nation located off the East Coast of Africa, offers diverse investment migration options, ranging from business-focused visas to permanent residency through real estate investments in luxury developments.

  1. Ten-Year Active Investor Visa
    Entrepreneurs can secure a ten-year renewable visa by investing a minimum of US$35,000 in a business. Permanent residency is available after three years, provided performance thresholds are met. Citizenship can follow after seven years (five for Commonwealth citizens).
    • Who Qualifies: General business owners, tech investors, and self-employed professionals.
    • Physical Presence Requirement: None during the temporary visa stage.
  2. Permanent Residency for Real Estate Investors
    Invest a minimum of US$375,000 in approved real estate projects to qualify for immediate permanent residency. Options include luxury resorts, eco-friendly developments, and condominium projects.
    • Time to Citizenship: Two years (for investments over US$500,000), otherwise five to seven years.
    • Physical Presence Requirement: One day per year.
    • Processing Time: Two to three months.

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Seychelles

Seychelles, a 115-island archipelago located off the coast of East Africa, boasts one of the continent’s highest GDPs per capita. It offers an exclusive and high-value investment residency program that can lead to permanent residence and citizenship.

Permanent Residence Program
Investors contributing US$1 million to a local business in Seychelles can qualify for permanent residency after five years of residence on a valid permit.

  • Path to Citizenship: Naturalization is possible after 11 years of continuous residency.
  • Physical Presence Requirement: One year of legal residence to qualify for permanent residency.
  • Processing Time: Up to three months.

African RCBI programs: Great for investment, not mobility  

While Africa’s investment migration programs offer many benefits, particularly for investors seeking opportunities on the continent, global mobility is not typically one of them. Many African passports rank low in terms of visa-free access, limiting the travel flexibility that some investors may prioritize when considering such programs.

However, some countries do offer meaningful regional access. Citizens of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member states, for instance, enjoy the right to travel, reside, and work across 15 countries in West Africa without the need for visas or work permits. For investors focused on regional operations, this can offer functional value even in the absence of broader travel rights.

These programs are particularly well-suited for individuals with business interests in Africa or those seeking to capitalize on the continent’s growing investment opportunities and markets. They provide streamlined access to specific African nations, which can be valuable for regional business operations or partnerships.

Egyptian citizenship can provide holders with access to the United States E-2 visa treaty, offering an additional investment migration route. Other African RCBI programs rarely offer similar added advantages for mobility or residency beyond the continent.

Several African nations have explored introducing their own citizenship by investment programs. Kenya’s Investment Authority has publicly backed draft legal amendments, with support from multiple state agencies, but legislative traction has since stalled. As of now, no formal program has emerged.

In Nigeria, the House of Representatives passed a constitutional amendment for second reading that would allow foreign investors to acquire citizenship through targeted economic contributions. The proposal remains under committee review, with final passage still pending at both federal and state levels.

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