There are two African citizenship by investment programs that have lesser known advantages as freedom of travel and business in their regional blocks.

Both Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe offer citizenships under 100.000 USD, these programs are among the most affordable passport solutions on the market.

Sierra Leone is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The developing bloc unites 15 member countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The population is over 400 million people.

São Tomé and Príncipe is in Central Africa rather than West Africa and, consequently, belongs to a different economic bloc. The member states of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) are São Tomé and Príncipe, Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, and Republic of the Congo. The eleven member state's population in total is over 200 million.

Traveling Within ECOWAS (Passports & ID Cards)

Citizens and residents of the ECOWAS enjoy the freedom of entry, transit, and stay across all 15 member countries completely visa-free. Beyond traditional passports, citizens can use the ECOWAS National Biometric Identity Card (ENBIC) to cross borders within participating member states.

Travelling within the ECCAS

The ECCAS also has a legal framework to create a visa-free community but it is still not that developed as the Western African example, which already works as the Schengen zone.

Selling Goods and Services in Africa: Foreigner vs. Resident/Citizen

Registering a company or selling services or goods as a third country citizen or resident is challenging in Africa. It will take time and money. Bank account opening as a foreigner is also a difficult task, without a work permit.

Meanwhile, an ECOWAS passport or ID card unlocked the Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), allowing qualifying goods produced to move duty-free and quota-free across the member states. You can also register businesses, pitch for contracts, and provide professional services anywhere in the ECOWAS without limits of foreign ownership. 

The ECCAS is also a regional free trade area without tariffs.

Do you want to do business in Africa? Or do you want to enjoy the advantages of travelling free in Africa? Ask us for support, our experts are waiting for your call!

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