When you finish reading this, you’ll understand the history of Comoros’s groundbreaking citizenship-by-investment program, why it was halted, and what controversies rocked it. You’ll also learn how it tied into resolving Gulf statelessness, the legal probes that exposed fraud, and why some observers believe it could return one day.
How the Program Worked—and Why It Drew Attention
Comoros launched Africa’s first citizenship-by-investment scheme in 2008 to raise funds for development. Under the law, an applicant would make a non-refundable contribution of USD 45 000 to the Comoros Development Fund, plus due diligence and processing fees, in exchange for full citizenship rights[^1]. Successful applicants and their qualifying family members received Comorian passports with visa-free access to over 40 countries, making it one of the most cost-effective offerings globally[^2].
Key Benefits (When Active)
- Visa-free travel across the ECOWAS region and visa-on-arrival to much of Africa and Asia
- Full citizenship rights in Comoros, including property ownership
- No residency requirement
Addressing Gulf Statelessness: The Bidoon Connection
Comoros’s scheme took on a surprising role beyond raising revenue: it offered citizenship to the Gulf’s stateless “Bidoon” population, primarily in the United Arab Emirates. Starting in 2009, Comoros signed an agreement with Abu Dhabi to naturalize tens of thousands of Bidoon—individuals who held no recognized nationality[^3].
– Similar discussions with Kuwait took place but did not culminate in a binding accord[^3].
– By granting Comorian nationality, the program aimed to resolve their stateless status and grant them fundamental civil rights.
When Things Fell Apart: Scale, Irregularities, and Investigations
A 2018 parliamentary inquiry uncovered a raft of problems that led to suspension of the program in late 2018 and its formal repeal in 2021.
– Approximately 48 000 passports were issued between 2008 and 2016; 170 were subsequently revoked for improper issuance, including diplomatic booklets granted to ineligible recipients[^4].
– Investigators documented missing signatures, forged stamps, and discrepancies between the number of passports sold and recorded revenues[^4].
– The Belgian firm Semlex Group had been contracted to print the passports—a partnership later criticized for opaque procurement terms and alleged overbilling[^4].
High-Profile Trials: Corruption Charges and Convictions
By early 2022, several senior figures faced justice in Moroni:
1. Former President Ahmed Abdallah Sambi received a life sentence for embezzlement of passport-sale funds.
2. Ex-Vice President Maoulida Bedja was handed 20 years for money laundering.
3. Three businessmen linked to Semlex shipments received prison terms ranging from 10 to 15 years[^4].
These convictions marked one of the African continent’s most stringent crackdowns on public-office corruption.
What Made It Unique—and Cheap
Comoros’s CBI was the continent’s first such program and one of the most economical. Under the law, applicants paid USD 45 000 for the main contributor, USD 20 000 for a spouse, and USD 10 000 for each dependent child, with no property purchase required—and processing took as little as three months[^2].
Could It Return? A Future Reboot?
Some analysts argue Comoros might consider reviving its citizenship-by-investment scheme to bolster post-COVID revenues, particularly if political conditions shift in Moroni. Proposals include a more transparent framework, potentially supervised by a multilateral organization. For now, however, the enabling legislation remains repealed and no formal revival plans have been announced.
Passport to Reality
By tracing the rise and fall of Comoros’s citizenship-by-investment program, you’ve seen how an African nation’s first-ever initiative sparked global interest—and scandal. Whether you’re tracking alternative passports or studying governance in small island states, the Comoros case stands as a cautionary tale: promising at first, yet undone by poor oversight and corruption.
[^1]: Details of the Comoros Development Fund contribution are outlined on the Henley & Partners overview of the Comoros Citizenship by Investment Program.
[^2]: The structured contribution levels and visa-free access details are available in the International Migration Institute’s profile of Comoros Citizenship by Investment.
[^3]: The agreement to naturalize Bidoon populations is documented in the Wikipedia article on the Comoros passport sales scandal.
[^4]: The 2018 parliamentary findings and subsequent trials are reported in Reuters’s coverage of the Comoros probe into massive passport fraud.