Last Updated on July 8, 2022
Looking for African countries where expats earn the highest income and have the most job opportunities? This article reveals the best countries to live in Africa and earn the highest income as an expat.
Africa is the world’s second-largest continent, and it covers about 6% of the surface area of earth. With a population of more than one billion, the continent is regarded as the second-most populous. The high numbers do not match the resources in the countries, and since the demand is higher than the supply, there has been a need for professionals to seek greener pastures. The details of the countries in Africa where expats can relocate to provide the best options that one could settle for.
Western countries are known to have resources and opportunities that most people could tap on to. However, over the past years, the immigration rules have become more stringent, making it more difficult for foreigners to relocate. Nonetheless, there are African countries that are endowed with opportunities that professionals can explore. How about reading on for details on why one should consider living in these African countries?
What is the best country to live in Africa? Before settling on a location, there are a couple of factors that one has to consider. Security and political stability are the most significant factors to keep in mind. This list provides options for the best countries to live in Africa 2022.
Table of Contents
1. South Africa
What is the easiest country to move to? South Africa is one of the African countries that have gladly embraced industrialisation. It also takes pride in being home to the continent’s richest city; Cape Town, which offers the luxuries of urbanisation, especially because of its location. It lies between the iconic Table mountain and the ocean.
South Africa also takes pride in its rapidly-developing technology industry, as seen in Johannesburg, which has set the record of being the economic capital of the continent since it is home to most of the international mining companies. The rapid growth of Small and Medium Enterprises is also a promising factor that an investor or expat would want to consider when relocating to South Africa.
2. Tanzania
Even though more than a third of the population currently lives below the poverty line, Tanzania has a large expat community. Since the country is the most populous in the East African community. Its capital city, Dar es Salaam, acts as the main pull for expats because it is an economic and social hub.
Tanzania has a couple of investment opportunities ranging from tourism, mining, to natural resources. The mining sector, for instance, has attracted investors from South Africa, Canada, and Australia, and the country is equally becoming competitive in gold production. Oil and gas companies are equally taking root and showing so much potential for professionals. If you are an expat looking for job opportunities in African countries, you might want to consider working for the NGOs and international companies in Tanzania.
3. Nigeria
According to a survey that was done by Expat Insider, it was revealed that expats in Nigeria are among the highest global earners. More than 12% of the respondents who participated in the survey revealed that they bagged more than $250,000 last year. The survey is evidence that Nigeria is one of the highest paying countries in Africa.
Nigeria stands as the highest paying country because of the risk factors that come with the country. Nigerian expats have to put up with a couple of risks posed by the Boko Haram and the kidnappers in the oil rigs. The figure can also be influenced by the long working hours that they are subjected to and the high cost of living in the country’s biggest cities; Abuja and Lagos.
4. Kenya
Kenya is another ideal destination for expats, as it boasts of state-of-the-art IT infrastructure and admirable cosmopolitan districts. Nairobi, its capital city, is considered as a hub for organisations like the Rockefeller Foundation and General Electric. Apart from good infrastructure, the country also has stylish but affordable housing options. Moreover, the country’s culture is also welcoming, and it has a ton of opportunities that one can venture in.
5. Ghana
Ghana has in the past couple of decades experienced significant growth in its transportation, mining, telecommunication, and hydrocarbon industries. Most expats regard Ghana as a ‘hardship location’; hence, they enjoy the financial benefits that come with the notion.
Apart from the opportunities, Ghana is generally a safe country, as it suffers less corruption and political instability, unlike most of its neighbouring countries. The one thing that one should have in mind before relocating to the country is the unreliability of water and electricity.
6. Botswana
Botswana is one of the largest producers of diamonds in the world; hence, it is safe to say that the mining industry has provided a lucrative opportunity. The country has attracted mining companies and expats from the rest of the world. The country’s healthcare system is also reliable, although in severe cases, evacuation is considered.
7. Gabon
Gabon is home to a population of more than 2 million people. Even though it is one of the least heard of countries in the western part of Africa, it has one of the highest urbanisation rates in the world. It also boasts of being an upper-middle-income country since it is the fifth-largest oil-producing country in Africa. In the past decade, it has risen and attained strong economic stability because of its consistent production of oil and manganese. The oil production accounts for 80% of the country’s exports, 60% of fiscal revenue, and 45% of GDP.
If you are an expat who is open to exploring the opportunities that are available on the continent, Gabon is one of the best places to live in Africa 2020.
8. Libya
Libya has a not so good record when it comes to civil war; however, this factor does not mean that the country should not be included in this list. Libya has an impressive human development index and life expectancy. Workers in the country also rank as the highest paid in the continent with an average monthly salary of $1700. Being an oil-producing country, Libya poses a lucrative opportunity, especially for individuals who possess technical skills.
9. Algeria
Algeria not only stands out as the largest country in Africa but also as an oil-rich country in the northern part of Africa, with a human development index of 0.759. It has the tenth largest oil reserves in the world, and its current unemployment rate currently stands at 11.53% down from 20% in the past two decades. The country also has the highest life expectancy of all the African countries. These factors make it an ideal destination for expats.
10. Seychelles
Seychelles is another one of the top 10 best countries in Africa, as it has a human development index of 0.801 and a life expectancy of 73.7 years. The country’s economic growth is significantly influenced by tourism, and the country’s GDP has grown more than six times in less than five decades. It is one of the most developed countries on the continent, and it offers free education and health care services to its citizens. These factors make it one of the best countries to live in Africa in 2020.
If you are a professional who has been in search of greener pastures and has not landed the opportunity to travel overseas, you ought to consider these African countries that expats can relocate to.