During the period between 2000 and 2020, the economic growth of established Western nations like the United States and the United Kingdom slow-walked at approximately 34% to 35% each. In contrast, several smaller, lesser-known economies are projected to experience massive growth over the course of the 21st century.
Investors looking to gain a financial and geopolitical edge can utilize foreign residency and citizenship strategies to access high-growth deals, localized banking, and emerging regional blocks that are often restricted to locals or regional passport holders.
High-Growth Economies and Access Strategies
Guyana
- Projected Growth: Up to 2,000% this century, driven primarily by massive oil wealth and the neutralization of territorial disputes with Venezuela. Major corporations like Exxon are investing heavily in the infrastructure.
- Access Strategies: Naturalization within Guyana is a slow process, and moving there to wait for a passport is not recommended. Instead, investors can utilize regional blocks:
- Caricom (Caribbean Community): Guyana is a member of Caricom and its Single Market and Economy (CSME). Five Caribbean nations offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs in the low-to-mid six figures, which provide expanded regional access.
- Mercosur: Guyana is an associate member of this South American bloc. Obtaining citizenship or residency in full Mercosur member states—such as through upcoming CBI programs in Argentina, or straightforward residency-to-naturalization pathways in Paraguay, Uruguay, Colombia, or Chile—can position investors to benefit if Guyana achieves full membership or expanded freedom of movement.
Turkmenistan and Central Asia
- Projected Growth (Turkmenistan): 1,400% growth, heavily tied to gas and natural resources.
- Access Strategies: A Turkmenistan passport is virtually impossible to obtain. However, the broader Central Asian region offers alternative entry points:
- Golden Visas: Countries like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan are opening up investor visa pathways. Uzbekistan is growing rapidly independent of natural resource plays.
- EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union): If regional blocks like the EAEU (which includes Russia, Belarus, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan) expand integration with Turkmenistan, a Golden Visa or residency in a neighboring state could grant secondary access.
- Armenia: While naturalization has become more difficult, individuals with Armenian ancestry can still acquire citizenship, providing an entry into the EAEU block.
Ethiopia
- Projected Growth: 1,400%, supported by economic liberalization efforts and its status as the diplomatic hub of the African Union (AU) in Addis Ababa.
- Access Strategies: Regional access via Pan-Africanism and economic blocks is the primary angle, as Ethiopia is less integrated into specific regional trade blocks like COMESA (Eastern and Southern Africa), ECOWAS (West Africa), or the MAGHREB/MENA regions.
- African Union Passports: Obtaining an AU member country passport provides future optionality as the continent pushes toward freedom of movement and easier cross-border banking. Examples include the CBI program in São Tomé and Príncipe, Egypt’s CBI program, or potential upcoming programs in Botswana.
Mongolia
- Projected Growth: 1,400%, driven by resource wealth.
- Access Strategies: Mongolia operates a permanent residence program, but there is no clear, direct path to citizenship. The local currency (the Tugrik) has experienced a steady long-term decline, unlike steadier regional currencies like the Georgian Lari or Armenian Dram.
Azerbaijan
- Projected Growth: 1,400%.
- Access Strategies: While the Azeri president holds the constitutional power to grant citizenship for exceptional business contributions, this path is rarely exercised.
- The Turkey Route: Azerbaijan and Turkey maintain close geopolitical ties and are both part of the Organization of Turkic States. Acquiring Turkish citizenship through their CBI program (which requires a property purchase that can be sold after three years) is the most practical method for gaining a foothold near Azerbaijan.
- Georgia: Moving to Georgia allows investors to utilize its zero-to-low tax regime. Georgia has historically maintained stronger relations with Azerbaijan than with Armenia, offering a potential regional alternative.
China and Hong Kong
- Projected Growth: Strong long-term projections, matching the 1,400% tier.
- Access Strategies: Obtaining Chinese citizenship is nearly impossible for foreign nationals. However, residency pathways are expanding as China competes with Western immigration avenues.
- Hong Kong CIES (Capital Investment Entrant Scheme): This residency program requires an asset investment of approximately $4 million. As Hong Kong integrates further with mainland China, this residency provides a gateway to Chinese financial markets and corporate access.
Ghana
- Projected Growth: 1,400%.
- Access Strategies: Ghana is a member of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and the Commonwealth.
- ECOWAS Passports: To gain access to the West African economic block, investors can look to neighboring Sierra Leone, which offers a donation-based CBI program. (Note: The Sierra Leone program is relatively expensive relative to its global passport strength).
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) – UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar
- Projected Growth (Qatar): 1,200%.
- Access Strategies: Except for high-level celebrities or elite business figures, citizenship in the Gulf is restricted. However, residency permits offer significant structural advantages:
- Banking and Equities: Setting up residency in a prominent hub like the UAE allows investors to establish local bank accounts. Because UAE financial institutions often have branches or corporate relationships in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, investors can parlay these setups to open accounts across the Gulf. This grants direct access to regional stock exchanges and local equities that are unavailable via standard international brokerages.
Vietnam and Cambodia
- Projected Growth (Vietnam): 1,200%.
- Access Strategies: Vietnam is a member of ASEAN, APEC, and the CPTPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership). Signing up directly for the Vietnamese stock exchange can be administratively difficult, and securing Vietnam residency is rare.
- Cambodia CBI: Cambodia offers the only formal citizenship-by-investment program within ASEAN. Acting as a neutral investment hub between Thailand and Vietnam, Cambodia allows foreign nationals to buy land, start businesses, and hold a passport within the ASEAN free trade area.
Strategic Considerations for Investors
- Timing the Market: Emerging economies typically restrict access once they reach maximum development (e.g., Singapore). Securing residency or citizenship early provides the legal framework to invest in domestic assets before markets fully mature.
- Living vs. Investing: Investors do not necessarily need to reside in these high-growth nations to benefit. A passport or residency from a corresponding regional block (such as Caricom, Mercosur, ECOWAS, or ASEAN) often grants the same banking, business, and investment rights as domestic citizenship.
