Africa is rapidly gaining momentum as a new destination for investment migration. Against the backdrop of high prices in Europe and the Caribbean, African countries offer fast, flexible, and financially affordable residency and citizenship-by-investment programs. The article provides an overview of the most interesting destinations: from $35,000 in Mauritius to a quick passport in Sierra Leone or stable residence in Cape Verde and Egypt.
Residency and citizenship-by-investment programs are usually associated with the Caribbean or Europe, but an increasing number of African countries are also offering their own options. They are often not so well—known, but they can be an interesting alternative for those who are looking for new opportunities – with a lower entry threshold, lower regulatory burdens and prospects for economic growth.
Read about the main programs for obtaining citizenship and residence in African countries in this article.
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Fast and inexpensive – two key advantages of African citizenship by investment
African countries are increasingly offering simple and affordable ways to obtain residency or citizenship. For example, a business residence in Mauritius can be obtained by investing from $35,000 – this is one of the most affordable offers on the market. And in Egypt, citizenship can be obtained with an investment of at least $250,000, and without mandatory physical presence.
In addition to low financial thresholds, many African programs differ in speed. In Sierra Leone, citizenship can be obtained in less than 60 days, while in Cape Verde, a residence permit is issued in just four weeks.
For investors looking for the optimal combination of price, simplicity and efficiency, Africa is becoming a real discovery.
Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone is one of the few countries in West Africa that offers several legal relocation options for investors, including representatives of the African diaspora. Its programs are characterized by affordable conditions and a very fast registration procedure.
One of the key proposals is the GO-FOR-GOLD permanent residence program. To become a resident, it is enough to invest $65,000 and transfer 1 kilogram of gold. The documents are processed in about 40 days, and after five years you can apply for citizenship.
There is a separate direct citizenship program for people of African descent. If the applicant has the appropriate DNA confirmation, he can receive a passport in just 60 days by making a donation of $100,000.
Accelerated naturalization is provided for other categories of persons: citizenship is granted in 90 days, subject to a donation of $140,000.
Cape Verde
The country offers a relatively affordable permanent residence program for investors – it is enough to invest about 80 thousand euros in real estate. The process itself is fast and takes from 2 to 4 weeks. And 5 years after obtaining residence, it becomes possible to apply for citizenship. In addition, Cape Verde is a country with stable politics and a pleasant climate.
Egypt
In the 2020s, Egypt significantly modernized its immigration rules. Today, there is a program that allows you to obtain citizenship by investment, for example, by donating $250,000 to the state budget or investing $300,000 in real estate. You can open a business or just deposit $500,000 in an Egyptian bank. What’s interesting: there is no mandatory requirement to live in the country and everything is processed in an average of 6-9 months.
The cheapest option is a residence with an investment of at least $50,000.
The investment accommodation program provides several available design options suitable for both short and long-term stays.
The minimum entry threshold is $50,000. This amount can be invested in real estate or placed on a bank deposit.
To obtain a 1-year residence permit, it is enough to invest $50,000.
A 3-year permit requires an investment of $100,000,
And for 5 years – $200,000 in real estate.
The same amounts apply for the bank deposit option.
Another important advantage is that there is no requirement to stay in the country permanently. Processing of documents usually takes from one to three months, which makes the program one of the most convenient for foreign investors.
Namibia
Namibia recently introduced its investor program. It provides for the purchase of real estate in the President’s Links Estate project in Walvis Bay for about $316,000. At the same time, the investor receives a residence for 5 years, which can be extended. And after 10 years, you can apply for citizenship. The advantage of this program is that it does not oblige the investor to permanently live in the country.
Mauritius
There are several options available in Mauritius at once – investors can obtain a residence permit by investing at least $375,000 in a business or real estate. And after a few years, full citizenship.
– Business visa for 10 years
Entrepreneurs, self-employed professionals and investors in technology projects can apply for a ten-year visa with the right to renew, investing from $35,000 in their business. If the business reaches the established economic indicators in three years, it becomes possible to move to permanent residence.
And the citizenship of Mauritius can be obtained after 7 years or after 5 years if the applicant is a citizen of a country of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Another advantage is that physical presence is not required at the stage of visa processing.
– Permanent residence due to real estate investments
For those who are interested in luxury real estate, Mauritius offers an option with instant permanent residence. It is necessary to invest at least $375,000 in approved projects – these can be luxury resorts, environmentally friendly settlements or apartments in modern condominiums.
Citizenship is possible after 2 years if investments exceed $500,000 or within 5-7 years under standard conditions.
Physical presence is minimal: one day a year is enough. The paperwork process itself takes from two to three months.
Seychelles
The Seychelles is a tropical archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean, located off the east coast of Africa. The country is famous not only for its natural beauty, but also for one of the highest levels of GDP per capita among African countries. The Seychelles offers a prestigious investment residence program, which can be the first step towards permanent status and then citizenship.
To apply for permanent residence, a foreign investor needs to invest $1 million in a local business. After five years of legal stay with a valid identity card, a person receives the right to seek permanent residence.
To obtain citizenship, it is necessary to live in the Seychelles continuously for 11 years, that is, the program is focused on the long term.
Additional conditions include a minimum of one year of actual residence before applying for permanent residence. And the review of documents usually takes up to three months.
What else is being prepared?
Several African countries – in particular, Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda – are actively working on creating their own schemes for investors. In Rwanda, there are already options for investor residence with a threshold of 100,000. Kenya is in the final stages of developing a new program that could become one of the most liberal in the region.
Is it worth investing in Africa?
Africa is an emerging market with significant risks but also great opportunities. Despite some cases of lack of transparency or lax control over the verification of applicants, there are countries that are trying to create honest, modern and profitable programs.
Those who are looking for an alternative to European or Caribbean destinations should pay attention to Cape Verde, Egypt or Namibia – these are the simplest and most attractive options on the continent so far.
Do you want to get citizenship or residence in an African country, but don’t know where to start? Our experienced migration lawyers will help you walk this path without unnecessary hassle.
Visit World lawyers are your reliable support during migration abroad!
Let’s remind you!Malta officially abolished the golden passport program in 2025 and is moving to a new model of merit citizenship. We’ve already told you,what exactly is changing, who will be able to obtain a Maltese passport in the new conditions, and how the country is adapting to EU requirements for naturalization transparency.
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Often
frequently asked questions
Is it possible to obtain citizenship in Africa in just a few months?
Yes, for example, in Sierra Leone, people of African descent can obtain a passport in just 60 days. For other categories, citizenship is issued after 90 days, subject to the conditions of investment.
Which African country offers the lowest threshold for investors?
Mauritius is one of the most accessible. Business residency here is available starting at $35,000, and residence in Egypt starts at $50,000 for a real estate investment or deposit.
Do I have to physically live in the country to maintain my status?
Not always. Most programs (for example, in Egypt, Namibia, and Mauritius) do not require permanent residence in the country. It’s often enough to show up once a year or not at all.
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