Botswana’s plan to introduce a citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programme from 2026 has sparked fresh debate in Ghana, where business leaders and investment analysts are urging Accra to consider a similar policy to attract long-term capital and global talent.
The proposed Botswana scheme, which formally opens next year, will allow foreign investors to obtain citizenship in return for a government contribution of between $75,000 and $90,000, with higher overall costs once due-diligence checks and family applications are included. The programme allows dual citizenship and is intended to reduce Botswana’s reliance on diamonds by channeling investment into sectors such as tourism, housing, mining and renewable energy.
In Ghana, the move has renewed discussions about whether a carefully designed citizenship-by-investment framework could strengthen the country’s foreign direct investment (FDI) position and support economic diversification.
According to figures from the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre, Ghana recorded a strong rebound in FDI in 2025, attracting about $863 million in the first half of the year and a further $378 million in the third quarter. Investment flowed mainly into services, manufacturing, trading, oil and gas, agriculture and construction.
Ghana’s political stability, relatively strong investment returns and well-developed financial sector have already made it one of West Africa’s most attractive destinations for foreign capital, particularly in real estate and energy. Advocates of a CBI programme argue that offering long-term residency or citizenship options could deepen this appeal, especially for investors who already operate businesses in the country and wish to make Ghana a permanent base.
Supporters also point out that a well-regulated system, with strict background checks and clear investment thresholds, could help Ghana attract patient capital while avoiding the reputational risks that have affected poorly managed schemes elsewhere.
Botswana’s decision places it alongside African countries such as Egypt, Sierra Leone and São Tomé and Príncipe, which already run citizenship- or residency-by-investment programmes. For Ghana, the question now is whether a similar approach could complement existing investment incentives and help position the country as a long-term hub for capital, skills and innovation in West Africa.
As policymakers weigh their options, the growing interest in investment-linked citizenship across the continent is likely to keep the debate firmly on the agenda in Accra.
