
How to get São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship 2026

30 September 2025
Botswana has taken a bold step forward by announcing plans to introduce its first Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme. The government recently signed an agreement to begin developing the framework, which is expected to channel investment into priority sectors such as tourism, renewable energy, mining, and financial services.
Botswana is not alone in recognising the potential of citizenship by investment. In recent months, São Tomé and Príncipe also introduced a CBI program, along with Sierra Leone who offer both a Residency and Citizenship by Investment option. This momentum raises the question: are we witnessing the rise of a new African trend?
With multiple new entries in a short space of time, Africa appears to be positioning itself as the next frontier for citizenship by investment.
At this stage, only the agreement has been announced, and no terms or official pricing have been released. Final details and the cost will be confirmed once the government publishes the programme framework.
When it comes to global mobility, Botswana’s passport is respectable but not among the world’s most powerful. However, within Africa, it consistently ranks in the top four passports on the continent, sitting behind South Africa. This distinction gives it significant weight regionally. Holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 94 destinations worldwide, a figure that compares favourably to the majority of African nations.
For investors focused on Africa, this ranking matters. It highlights Botswana’s diplomatic credibility, its strong governance record, and its regional influence. While it may not rival European or Caribbean passports in global reach, Botswana’s passport stands out as one of the most attractive African passports available via investment.
Details of Botswana’s programme are still to be confirmed, including the level of investment required and the routes available. What is clear is that Botswana aims to attract international capital while offering investors the credibility of one of Africa’s most stable and respected nations.
For those seeking an African CBI option, Botswana’s upcoming programme could soon become a premium choice – combining one of the continent’s strongest passports with opportunities aligned to long-term economic growth. La Vida is monitoring the progress of this story closely and will deliver more details once they emerge.