Several African countries launched or expanded golden visa programmes in 2026, offering residency or citizenship in exchange for investment, with entry costs ranging from $90,000 to $10 million. Nigerians are eligible to apply as these programmes target foreign capital, wealthy investors, and skilled professionals.
Mauritius and Ethiopia Lead with High-Threshold Programmes
Mauritius launched its Golden Visa programme in May 2026, requiring investors to commit $1 million under its investment framework. The Indian Ocean island nation is positioning the programme as a way of attracting high-net-worth investors and long-term capital while strengthening its position as a regional financial and investment hub. Applicants must meet the relevant investment and immigration requirements before obtaining residency.
Ethiopia has introduced an Investor Residency Programme targeting major foreign investors. The investment requirement can reach $10 million, although investors committing $5 million to projects that meet specified job-creation conditions may qualify under a lower threshold. The scheme is designed to channel foreign capital into productive economic activities while creating employment and supporting economic development.
São Tomé and Príncipe Offers Citizenship from $90,000
São Tomé and Príncipe has entered Africa's citizenship-by-investment market with a programme offering a direct route to citizenship from about $90,000. The country issued its first passport under the programme in January 2026 after launching the initiative in late 2025. Unlike conventional golden visas, which primarily provide residency, citizenship-by-investment programmes can offer eligible applicants a direct pathway to nationality, subject to the country's due-diligence and legal requirements.
Botswana and Namibia Develop New Investment Routes
Botswana has unveiled a proposed Impact Citizenship Programme targeting contributions of between $75,000 and $95,000. However, the programme is not yet fully operational because enabling legislation and application infrastructure are still required. Namibia is also reviewing its proposed Desert Visa initiative alongside a pending Migration Control Bill. Meanwhile, investors can reportedly access existing residency routes through investment provisions starting from approximately $316,000.
Declining Foreign Aid Drives the Shift
The expansion of investment migration comes as foreign aid to Africa declines. Between 2016 and 2025, US foreign assistance to Africa totalled about $120.9 billion, while disbursements reportedly dropped 35 per cent in 2025 to $7.86 billion from $12.1 billion in 2024. Economist Oluyemi Adeosun said the reduction in foreign assistance is pushing developing countries to search for alternative sources of non-debt capital. According to Adeosun, investment migration can provide immediate foreign exchange without creating the repayment obligations associated with international borrowing.
Economic Diversification and Future Prospects
Investment migration is also being viewed as a tool for economic diversification. In Botswana, for example, the proposed citizenship programme is partly linked to efforts to reduce dependence on diamonds and attract capital into other sectors. Armand Arton, chief executive officer of Arton Capital, said investment migration programmes can channel funds into sectors including housing, luxury tourism, renewable energy, mining and financial services.
For Nigerian investors, the growing number of African programmes means more options for obtaining residency or citizenship through investment. However, applicants must carefully verify current rules, qualifying investments, government fees, due diligence requirements and whether a programme is fully operational before committing funds. The landscape is changing rapidly, with several countries still developing their frameworks.
