With the rising political uncertainty in most African nations, it is not surprising that the number of Africans seeking second citizenship is on the rise.
In a recent report released by Henley & Partners, an investment migration consultancy based in London, Nigeria and South Africa are among the top 10 countries submitting applications for second citizenship and also making enquiries about how to get one.
In the report titled “Africa: Q3 2022 Investment Migration Insights“, African nationals are applying for second citizenship in 2022 via five main programs. These programs were listed as:
- The Portugal Golden Residence Permit Program
- The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program
- The Canada Start-Up Visa Program
- The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program
- And the UK Innovator Program.
While for European destinations, it is Malta, Montenegro, Spain, and Greece.
Outside Nigeria and South Africa, other African nationals making enquiries and applying for second citizenship are Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, and Uganda.
In the first six months of the year, Henley & Partners said it received 63% of the enquiries received in the whole of 2021 from affluent citizens of African countries.
According to the investment migration company, wealthy African families are applying for second citizenship because of global mobility, access to world-class education, healthcare and in some cases to avoid turmoil and other eventualities.
“No matter where you were born, or where you currently reside, wealthy investors can futureproof themselves and their families for whatever might lie ahead through residence and citizenship by investment,” stated Henley & Partners.