Key Trends and Insights:
- Easing of Work Visa Processes: Countries like South Africa and Rwanda have been streamlining their visa processes, creating faster and more efficient ways to bring in skilled workers. These changes are helping attract foreign talent to boost local economies.
- Sector-Specific Visa Opportunities: Nations like Kenya and Ghana are focusing on attracting skilled professionals in key industries, such as technology and finance, through specialized visa categories. These sector-specific opportunities help fill skill gaps in growing industries.
- COVID-19 Impact and Recovery: The pandemic temporarily disrupted immigration policies across Africa. Now, countries are recovering, with some choosing to retain the more flexible visa policies that were implemented during the crisis, while others are reverting to stricter controls
For companies operating across the continent, this shift can pose potential risks, including delays in processing visas and permits, increased costs due to changing requirements, and operational challenges caused by unpredictable policy changes.
- Regional Variability: Visa processes across Africa are not uniform. While some countries are offering more accessible visa options to attract foreign workers, others have implemented more stringent requirements, reflecting each nation’s economic and employment landscape.
Understanding these shifts is crucial for any company looking to relocate assignees or expand operations in Africa. Whether you’re navigating a simplified visa process or adapting to new regulations, staying informed is key to a successful relocation strategy.
Africa in Focus: Kenya – A Tech Hub and Growing Business Destination
Kenya, and particularly its capital Nairobi, is fast becoming one of East Africa’s leading business and tech hubs. The country’s impressive growth in sectors like technology, finance, and agriculture has opened a wealth of opportunities for investment and talent relocation.
According to the IMF, Kenya ranks 7th in the top 10 largest economies in Africa in 2024. Kenya has the third largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, behind Nigeria and South Africa.
As of 21st January 2025, Kenya has taken a significant step towards enhancing regional integration by removing the requirement for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) for most African countries. Nationals from these countries can now enter Kenya visa-free for up to two months. East African Community members will benefit from a longer, six-month visa-free stay (Burundi, DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda and Tanzania).
This policy change is designed to strengthen cultural and economic ties across the continent, encouraging increased travel, tourism and business exchanges. As Kenya remains a key economic hub in East Africa, this development is expected to foster greater regional unity and cooperation.
Why Kenya?
- Thriving Tech Scene: Nairobi is widely known as “Silicon Savannah” due to its growing technology ecosystem. With a rapidly expanding startup scene and global tech giants establishing a presence, Kenya is positioning itself as a key player in Africa’s digital economy.
- Strong Economic Growth: The Kenyan economy is one of the most robust in East Africa, with consistent growth in industries such as agriculture, technology, and finance. This makes Kenya an attractive option for businesses looking to expand in the region.
- Foreign Investment: International investors are flocking to Kenya, particularly in sectors like fintech, which has seen rapid innovation. The demand for skilled professionals in these industries has created new opportunities for relocation.
- Relocation Considerations: When relocating employees to Kenya, understanding the visa process, housing market, and cultural nuances is essential. Nairobi, for instance, offers a range of modern living options but can be competitive and expensive in certain areas. Additionally, understanding the work culture, where relationships and personal connections often drive business decisions, will help ensure a smooth transition for both businesses and employees.
Client Testimonial:
We are thrilled to share this wonderful feedback from one of our European clients in the engineering sector:
“I would like to thank you for your remarkable work. Your professionalism and understanding of my criteria allowed me to find ‘The Right Place’ in Abidjan almost immediately—a place where I felt the good vibes to live. I don’t know if you have the magic touch, but for sure your support has been incredible. I hope my future expat colleagues will have the same opportunity. We’ll meet again for the keys pick-up, and maybe I’ll have the chance to share an Italian coffee with you. Many thanks for all.”
This kind of feedback highlights our commitment to ensuring smooth transitions for clients, even in complex relocation scenarios. We take pride in helping our clients find the perfect place to call home.
Insight of the quarter
According to a recent survey, 68% of our LinkedIn followers believe that relocations into Africa will increase in 2025. This insight aligns with businesses slowly returning to a hybrid of an office-based and work-from-home culture and the continued demand for relocation services across the globe.
In our latest article on LinkedIn, we delve deeper into the challenges companies are facing, and how Relocation Africa is helping businesses navigate the evolving relocation landscape. Don’t miss out on the full article
EuRa Conference 2025
René Stegmann and Rene Webster will be at the EuRA conference in Zagreb, Croatia, and would love to connect with you! Rene Webster will be a panelist in the “Supply Chain Workshop” on Wednesday (2:00-3:30 pm), and René Stegmann will be one of the industry experts discussing the “State of the Industry” on Thursday (10:00-11:00 am). Whether for a chat about relocation or to explore potential collaborations, feel free to reach out and schedule a time to meet!
