…Mauritius, Ethiopia,São Tomé and Príncipe launched in 2026
Africa’s investment migration market is expanding rapidly as a growing number of nations introduce or prepare new residency and citizenship-by-investment (RBI and CBI) programmes, also known as golden visas.
These initiatives offer foreign investors residence or citizenship rights in exchange for real estate purchases, foreign capital injection, or passive wealth deployment. In the first half of 2026 alone, nations such as Mauritius, Ethiopia, and São Tomé and Príncipe launched active golden visa frameworks, whilst similar proposals in Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, and Nigeria continue to work their way through legislative channels.
The momentum behind this continent wide policy shift is driven by distinct national strategies designed to attract foreign capital and expand the pool of high net worth individuals. Mauritius launched its $1 million Golden Visa in May 2026, while Ethiopia introduced an Investor Residency Programme requiring investments of up to $10 million, or $5 million for projects meeting specific job creation criteria.
In Central Africa, São Tomé and Príncipe entered the citizenship by investment market in late 2025 with a direct route starting at $90,000, issuing its first passport under the scheme in January 2026. Meanwhile, Botswana unveiled its proposed Impact Citizenship Programme targeting contributions between $75,000 and $95,000, though its full rollout remains subject to enabling legislation and application infrastructure. Namibia is likewise reviewing its Desert Visa scheme in Cabinet alongside a pending Migration Control Bill, even as investors currently access residency via existing investment provisions from $316,000.
