Ethiopia is joining a growing group of African countries adopting investor-residency programmes similar to those in Singapore and Saudi Arabia, with plans to begin issuing 10-year Golden Visas during its 2026/27 fiscal year at one of the continent’s highest financial entry thresholds.
A view of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital, where the government plans to introduce a 10-year Golden Visa for wealthy foreign investors
- Ethiopia plans to launch a 10-year Golden Visa during the 2026/27 fiscal year, with a minimum investment threshold of $10 million.
- Investors committing $5 million may also qualify if their projects create a significant number of local jobs.
- The programme would carry Africa’s highest reported financial entry requirement for a 10-year investor residence permit.
- Ethiopia is also offering a cheaper property-linked route, allowing qualifying foreign buyers to obtain multiple-entry visas of up to five years.
Ethiopia’s Immigration and Citizenship Service plans to begin issuing 10-year Golden Visas during the 2026/27 fiscal year, which started on July 8, asEast Africa’s second-largest economy seeks to attract high-value foreign investment.
According to local media reports, applicants will be required to invest at least $10 million. Investors committing $5 million may also qualify if their projects create a significant number of local jobs.
A standard application will attract a $10,000 processing fee, while express handling will cost $12,500. Applicants may also choose a premium home-delivery service.
Importantly, the processing charge is separate from the investment requirement, despite early reports that treated the $10,000 fee as the minimum investment.
Qualifying investors will receive 10 years of residence with fewer immigration procedures under a programme based on frameworks such as the United Arab Emirates Golden Visa.
According to the Immigration and Citizenship Service, the “Golden” description reflects the premium status and privileges offered to permit holders.
Legal approval for the programme has already been secured from Ethiopia’s Council of Ministers and House of Peoples’ Representatives.
Meanwhile, the Immigration and Citizenship Service is working with the Ministry of Justice to finalise the rules, build the technical system and prepare personalised cards.
Preparations are expected to be completed by July 2027, when the final directive will set job-creation requirements, sector conditions and security rules for the $5 million route.
DON’T MISS:Africa’s second richest country activates $1M golden visa program to attract 100 high-net-worth individuals globally
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed attend press conference following the one-on-one and delegation-level talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 17, 2026. [Photo by Utku Ucrak/Anadolus conference following the one-on-one and delegation-level talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on February 17, 2026. [Photo by Utku Ucrak/Anadolu
Ethiopia’s $10 million requirement would be the highest publicly reported entry point for a 10-year investor residence programme in Africa.
Mozambique offers the closest comparable route, granting a 10-year residence permit for investments of at least $5 million and up to five years for commitments starting at $500,000.
Elsewhere, Namibia’s property-linked residence route starts at about $316,000, while Seychelles requires investors seeking permanent residence to commit at least $1 million to a local business.
Mauritius, one of Africa’s wealthiest countries by income per person, is also preparing a Golden Visa programme approved by Cabinet in April.
Applicants under the Mauritian programme will be required to invest $1 million within 12 months of arrival in one of five priority sectors.
Successful investors will receive a renewable two-year multiple-entry visa rather than Ethiopia’s decade-long residence card.
However, African programmes offer different immigration benefits. Egypt, for example, grants citizenship through investment routes starting with a $250,000 contribution, while Ethiopia has not announced a direct path to permanent residence or citizenship.
Addis Ababa’s programme stands out because it targets investors capable of financing large projects and links its alternative $5 million route to local job creation.
DON’T MISS:One of Africa’s largest economies attracted $4.3 billion from foreign investors
Beyond Africa, Ethiopia’s proposed requirement is unusually high compared with major international investor programmes.
Singapore’s Global Investor Programme requires S$10 million, or about $7.7 million, under its business investment route and grants successful applicants permanent residence.
New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus Visa requires NZ$10 million, or about $5.8 million, under its Balanced category. Investors must maintain the investment for five years before applying for permanent residence.
In the United States, President Donald Trump’s Gold Card programme requires a $1 million contribution from an individual or $2 million from a sponsoring company. It offers an expedited route to an immigrant visa.
