Africa Citizenship By Investment Programs: Which countries have the best options?

Africa citizenship by investment programs (CBI) are small but emerging. As of 2025, Egypt remains the only country with a formal, codified CBI program, while Sierra Leone, Ghana, and Benin offer hybrid or diaspora-focused citizenship pathways.

Mauritius and Seychelles provide residency-by-investment programs that can lead to citizenship over time, but they do not grant immediate nationality.

In Africa, citizenship-linked investment is still experimental, shaped by a mix of capital-raising initiatives, diaspora policies, and residency-driven naturalization. For prospective investors, this means high variability in cost, legal certainty, and processing timelines across the continent.

This article will discuss the various citizenship-by-investment programs in the continent and explore other alternatives offered by some countries.

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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

What are Citizenship-by-Investment Programs?

Citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs are legal mechanisms that grant nationality to foreign applicants who make a qualifying financial contribution to a host country.

Unlike traditional naturalization, which is based on residency or family ties, CBI programs provide a direct exchange: capital in return for citizenship.

A standard CBI program has the following core components:

• Legal Basis – A statutory framework that explicitly authorizes citizenship acquisition through investment, such as Egypt’s Law No. 190/2019. This distinguishes legitimate CBI programs from informal or discretionary grants of nationality.
• Investment Options – Common forms include:
  • Non-refundable donations to the state treasury or development funds.
  • Real estate purchases at or above a set threshold.
  • Business or job-creation investments meeting capital and employment requirements.
  • Government bonds or bank deposits held for a minimum period.
• Due Diligence – Mandatory background checks to screen for criminal activity, money laundering, or reputational risks.
• Processing Timeline – Typically ranges from 2–12 months, depending on administrative capacity and program complexity.
• Legal Outcome – Direct acquisition of nationality, usually with the same rights as citizens by birth, including passports and political rights (unless restricted by law).

Related but distinct are residency-by-investment (RCBI) programs, such as those in Mauritius and Seychelles, where investors receive residence permits first and may apply for citizenship only after several years of residence.

These programs are not considered “pure” CBI, as the link between investment and citizenship is indirect and time-dependent.

In short, a true CBI program converts investment into citizenship through a defined legal process, while RCBI models use investment as a pathway to eventual naturalization.

Africa’s current offerings reflect both approaches, making it critical for investors to distinguish between them before committing capital.

It is recommended to consult an expat financial advisor for more thorough guidance.

Egypt CBI Program

Egypt is currently the only African country with a fully codified citizenship-by-investment program.

Established under Law No. 190 of 2019 and implemented through regulations published in March 2020, it provides a direct, legally defined pathway to Egyptian nationality in exchange for capital investment.

Unlike diaspora-driven or residency-first schemes elsewhere on the continent, Egypt’s program functions on clear financial thresholds, rigorous due diligence, and a relatively short processing timeline.

What is the Egypt Citizenship By Investment Program?

Law No. 190/2019 amended Egypt’s nationality legislation to authorize the Council of Ministers to grant citizenship to foreigners who contribute to the national economy.

The law specifically empowers the Prime Minister’s office and the Ministry of Interior to administer the program, with oversight from the Central Bank of Egypt for financial verification.

All applications are vetted by a Citizenship Granting Committee, which includes representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Investment, Ministry of Interior, and national security agencies.

This multi-agency structure is designed to ensure compliance with Egypt’s security and financial integrity requirements.

Egypt Citizenship By Investment Options

Applicants must choose one of the following five qualifying routes:

• Non-Refundable Treasury Contribution (US $250,000)
  • Direct payment to the state treasury.
  • No refund mechanism; treated as a pure government contribution.
  • Fastest and simplest option for high-net-worth individuals seeking minimal administrative complexity.
• Real Estate Purchase (US $300,000)
  • Purchase of government-owned or government-approved property.
  • Ownership must be retained for at least five years.
  • Properties are often in new urban developments such as the New Administrative Capital, coastal resorts, or infrastructure-linked zones.
• Business Establishment (US $350,000 + US $100,000 Treasury Contribution)
  • Requires investment in an Egyptian company or creation of a new business entity.
  • Must create sustainable economic value and be compliant with commercial licensing regulations.
  • Accompanied by a non-refundable US $100,000 contribution to the treasury.
• Bank Deposit (US $500,000)
  • Interest-free deposit in an Egyptian bank under the supervision of the Central Bank.
  • Funds are locked for three years and then refunded in local currency at the prevailing exchange rate (exposing investors to foreign-exchange risk).
• Special Investment Cases
  • The Prime Minister retains discretionary authority to approve customized investment proposals of “strategic value,” but such cases are rare and require Cabinet-level review.

How long does it take to get Egyptian citizenship?

• Initial Application Review: ~30–45 days for security clearance and eligibility check.
• Provisional Residency: Granted upon preliminary approval, allowing the applicant to reside in Egypt during the final review.
• Final Citizenship Grant: Typically issued within 3 to 12 months, depending on the investment track and completion of all due diligence requirements.

Benefits of Egyptian Citizenship By Investment

• Visa-Free Access: Approximately 50 countries, with partial regional mobility within Africa and the Middle East.
• Business Positioning: Access to Egypt’s growing domestic market (over 110 million people) and proximity to the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
• Dual Citizenship: Permitted under Egyptian law (subject to notification of the Council of Ministers).
• E-2 Visa Treaty with the U.S.: Egyptian citizens are eligible for the U.S. E-2 investor visa, providing a key secondary advantage for global investors.

Sierra Leone GO‑FOR‑GOLD (GFG) Program

Sierra Leone launched its GO‑FOR‑GOLD (GFG) Residency and Citizenship program in late 2024.

It offers three investor-oriented pathways: permanent residency, heritage-based citizenship, and a fast-track option for general applicants. This marks Sierra Leone as the second African country after Egypt to offer a structured citizenship-by-investment model.

• Permanent Residency (PR):
  • Purchase 1 kg of Sierra Leone-certified gold, stored in a government vault for five years, plus program fees (~US $65,000 for single applicants).
  • Residency is granted within 40 days, with no in-country living requirement.
  • Family tiers available: nuclear or extended family packages with adjusted fees and gold amounts.
• Fast-Track Citizenship Routes: Added in January 2025 under the same GFG framework.
  • Heritage Naturalization: Available to applicants with documented African ancestry (DNA proof), citizenship granted in 60 days.
    • Investment total: US $100,000, covering due diligence, fees, legal support.
  • Fast-Track Naturalization: Open to all investors regardless of heritage.
    • Citizenship granted within 90 days.
    • Investment threshold: US $140,000, inclusive of fees and KYC processing.
  • Dependents included at additional cost (typically US $10,000 each).

Who is eligible for the Sierra Leone GFG Program?

• Heritage Pathway: Requires DNA verification or demonstrable African ancestry. Sierra Leone’s nationality law explicitly grants nationality based on descent from a Negro-African parent or grandparent.
• Due Diligence: Background checks by immigration authorities, criminal clearance, source-of-funds verification, and security vetting. Applications can be submitted remotely; no prior residence required.

Benefits of Sierra Leone Citizenship By Investment

• Speed and Accessibility: Citizenship can be acquired within 2–3 months—dramatically faster than Sierra Leone’s traditional eight‑year naturalization requirement.
• Economic Intent: Designed to monetize Sierra Leone’s gold resources while attracting diaspora and foreign investment. Revenues support local mining communities and government development projects.
• Dual Nationality: Sierra Leone permits dual citizenship since 2006, making this route compatible with retaining alternate passports.

Ghana Right of Abode and Diaspora Naturalization

Ghana has no formal CBI legislation, but its Immigration Act of 2000 (Act 573) and Citizenship Act of 2000 (Act 591) provide for two key avenues:

• Right of Abode Permit
  • Grants indefinite residence and work rights to persons of African descent.
  • Requires proof of African ancestry (typically via documented genealogy or, increasingly, DNA testing).
  • Often used as a stepping stone to citizenship.
• Diaspora Naturalization
  • In 2019, under the “Year of Return” initiative, Ghana granted citizenship to over 120 diaspora applicants in a single ceremonial naturalization event.
  • The standard process otherwise requires 7 years of residence, but the government has occasionally shortened timelines for qualified diaspora applicants.
  • Investment—while not codified—often strengthens applications through job creation or contributions to local development projects.

Advantages

Ghana’s program is politically supported and symbolically tied to Pan-Africanism, giving it strong legitimacy. While not a classic CBI program, diaspora investors with African ancestry can effectively secure citizenship faster than through ordinary naturalization.

Benin Diaspora Citizenship and Discretionary Grants

Benin has an even less formalized system but offers discretionary citizenship grants to individuals of African descent who demonstrate both:

• Cultural or ancestral linkage to Benin, and
• Significant contributions to the country’s economy or society.

While there is no published investment threshold, applicants often secure citizenship by funding development projects or through government-facilitated agreements.

The program is smaller in scale than Ghana’s, but it functions as a case-by-case hybrid of diaspora citizenship and investment-driven naturalization.

Notable Features:

• Benin has explicitly framed these grants as a way to reconnect African descendants with their ancestral homeland.
• Processing is discretionary and lacks guaranteed timelines, but successful cases are typically fast-tracked with ministerial approval.

Mauritius Residency by Investment

Mauritius offers several investor residency categories administered by the Economic Development Board (EDB):

• Investor Occupation Permit (OP)
  • Requires a minimum investment of USD 50,000 into a Mauritian company.
  • Valid for 10 years, renewable provided the business remains compliant with tax and regulatory requirements.
• Property Investment (PDS, IRS, RES Schemes)
  • Purchase of government-approved real estate worth at least USD 375,000 grants permanent residency to the investor and their immediate family.
  • Properties are limited to specific development schemes aimed at attracting foreign capital.
• Permanent Residence Permit (PRP)
  • Granted to holders of the Occupation Permit or real estate investors who meet revenue or ownership thresholds.
  • Valid for 20 years, renewable indefinitely.

How to get Mauritius citizenship:

• Foreign residents may apply for Mauritian citizenship after 2 years of marriage to a Mauritian citizen or 5 years of continuous residence, provided they demonstrate integration and good character.
• For investors under the property or business route, naturalization is discretionary and subject to cabinet approval, but successful cases have been documented where high-value investors secured citizenship after extended residency.

Advantages:

• Robust financial sector, strong rule of law, and a tax-friendly environment.
• Visa-free access to over 145 countries once citizenship is granted.
• Clear property-based residency rules with long-term security for investors.

Challenges:

• No guaranteed citizenship timeline; naturalization remains discretionary.
• Limited local property market availability due to government restrictions on foreign ownership outside designated schemes.

Seychelles Residency By Investment

Seychelles maintains an investment residency framework centered on Economic Residence Permits (ERP):

• Economic Residence Permit:
  • Requires a minimum investment of USD 1 million in a Seychelles-based business or asset that contributes to the economy.
  • Grants the right to reside, work, and eventually qualify for naturalization.
• Permanent Residency:
  • Available to ERP holders after 5 years of continuous residence, provided they maintain their investment and demonstrate economic contribution.

How to get Seychelles citizenship:

• Citizenship is possible after 11 years of residence under the general naturalization rules, but the government has historically fast-tracked applications from investors who make significant contributions.
• Dual citizenship is permitted for naturalized investors, providing flexibility for global mobility.

Advantages:

• Strategic location as a financial and maritime hub in the Indian Ocean.
• Strong privacy laws and a politically stable environment.
• Naturalization, while not automatic, has precedent for high-value investors.

Challenges:

• High investment threshold relative to Egypt or Sierra Leone.
• Lengthy naturalization timeline, heavily dependent on government discretion.

Mauritius and Seychelles therefore represent the residency-first investment model, prioritizing long-term settlement and economic integration over immediate citizenship.

While slower than direct CBI programs, these schemes are favored by investors seeking a stable, low-risk environment in well-governed jurisdictions with strong financial infrastructures.

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