Investment migration market shifts toward Africa and middle-class seekers

The global investment-migration market is undergoing a shift as demand for second passports and residency options evolves. Following the European Union's decision to end formal investor-citizenship programmes, African nations are increasingly positioning themselves to capture this demand. Countries such as Egypt, which requires a $250,000 minimum investment, and São Tomé and Príncipe, which launched a programme in 2025, are expanding or developing schemes to attract foreign capital and wealthy individuals.

Simultaneously, the demographic of those seeking “Plan B” options is expanding. Data from the consultancy Immigrant Invest indicates that the market is moving beyond the ultra-wealthy to include more middle-class Americans, such as salaried professionals, retirees, doctors, and tech workers. In the US, consultations from this growing cohort rose from 15% in 2025 to 25% in 2026. This trend is driven by motivations such as geographic diversification, international mobility, and a desire for stability amid geopolitical volatility and domestic political division. Popular options for these clients often include Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes that require lower six-figure sums.