Firms partner to boost Africa’s global economic participation
HOC Capital Club, in partnership with Cersei Partners, has introduced a new framework aimed at strengthening Africa’s participation in the global economy through cross-border investment and mobility.
The initiative, known as the “Sovereign Mobility Investor,” seeks to redefine how Africans engage in international investment, economic participation and development, particularly in the face of mobility constraints.
Source: Original
The organisations said the move was in response to growing limitations faced by Africans in accessing global markets, often described as a “passport deficit.” Nigerian passport holders, for instance, have visa-free access to about 54 destinations, covering roughly 1.4 per cent of global GDP.
Despite these restrictions, African investors have increasingly explored second citizenship and residency-by-investment options to expand their global reach.
Data cited by the organisations showed a steady rise in demand for such pathways among high-net-worth individuals in Africa over the past decade, with Nigeria and South Africa ranking among the leading countries in investment migration applications. In 2022, enquiries for second citizenship from African investors reportedly increased by more than 46 per cent.
Director of Policy and Strategic Development at HOC Capital Club, Olanrewaju Babatunde Aduloju, said the trend reflects a strategic shift rather than an attempt to relocate permanently.
“What we are witnessing over the past 8 years is a clear and consistent shift. Africans, particularly Nigerians, are increasingly leveraging second passports and residency pathways not as an exit strategy, but as an expansion strategy.
"Data shows that African investors are among the fastest-growing participants in investment migration globally, with Nigeria consistently ranking at the top of application volumes. This is not accidental, it reflects a deliberate move to access markets, unlock trade corridors, and participate more effectively in global economic systems,” he said.
He added that investors with access to multiple jurisdictions are better positioned to execute transactions, access financing and scale investments across sectors such as real estate, fintech, private equity and international trade.
The organisations also pointed to global examples of investment migration programmes driving economic growth. Portugal’s Golden Visa programme, for instance, has attracted over €6.8 billion in foreign direct investment, while similar programmes in the Caribbean and other regions have generated significant inflows into real estate, infrastructure and national development funds.
They noted that the new framework would serve as a platform to connect private capital with policy and international partnerships, with the aim of enhancing Africa’s role in global value chains.
As part of the initiative, a series of high-level forums involving policymakers, financial institutions and private sector leaders is expected to be convened to explore opportunities for cross-border collaboration and economic expansion.
Source: Legit.ng
