Expatriating to Africa can be a great opportunity for your career. Whatever the reason for your expatriation (your choice or that of your company), you need to be prepared. Africa is characterized by its great diversity, whether in terms of living standards, systems, cultures, or even climates, which vary considerably from one region to another. What’s more, adapting to the local climate and the need for specific vaccinations can be critical to your well-being. We’re here to provide you with information and guide you in preparing for your expatriation. However, before you start, take out expatriate health insurance to cover your medical expenses, wherever you choose to receive care.
Do I need health insurance to expatriate to Africa?
Imagine yourself faced with a serious health problem in a country where the medical system doesn’t meet your expectations, or where you don’t speak the language. This can happen more easily than you think, and it can have serious consequences for your well-being and finances. What’s more, if you’ve never lived in Africa long enough before, your body may have trouble adapting to the climate, depending on your destination. In such circumstances, our GoldExpat health insurance becomes your best ally. It gives you total peace of mind by guaranteeing that your medical expenses will be covered wherever you are in the world. Don’t take unnecessary risks, and insure your health and safety during your expatriation to Africa.
How to avoid culture shock during your stay in Africa?
A different nature and a more than welcoming population will give you the opportunity to discover a new and enriching culture. Before you leave, take the time to learn about local cultures, traditions and customs, including language, religion and culinary practices, so you can better immerse yourself in this diversity. Generally speaking, the cost of living is more affordable in African countries, offering a more comfortable lifestyle with benefits such as housing, household staff and cars, luxuries less accessible in Europe. However, keep in mind the risk of losing your sense of reality due to this change in economic and social status. Adaptation requires open-mindedness, respect for local customs, and a willingness to learn, including a few words of the local language to facilitate communication and show your respect. Engage in cultural activities, make local connections to enrich your experience, and be prepared for possible culture shock with a flexible, patient approach. Returning home can be brutal, so keep in touch with your reality and prepare to readapt to your home culture.
What are the growth sectors in Africa?
Africa offers significant opportunities in key sectors such as information and communication technologies (ICT), agriculture, renewable energies, infrastructure, education, tourism, mining, oil and banking. These fast-growing sectors offer promising investment prospects.
If you’re planning to expatriate to Africa for work, take out international health insurance in advance. Not only is this a sign of your determination, it is also often more comprehensive and more advantageous than the one offered by your employer. What’s more, this insurance covers you not just in your country of residence, but wherever you are. It offers very high benefit limits and repatriation assistance in the event that you are unable to access certain treatments on site.
What profiles are in demand in Africa?
The most attractive profiles are mainly technical, in fields such as telecommunications, finance and mining, as well as marketing and sales.
Young graduates have real opportunities on the African job market. More than just diplomas, recruiters are looking for individuals with a real sense of leadership, capable of inspiring and motivating local teams to drive change. In short, a proactive approach and a spirit of initiative are qualities that are highly appreciated in the African professional context.
If you’re considering a job in Africa, note that salaries can differ considerably from the rest of the world, varying from country to country. What’s more, the standard of living is also very different. However, with a solid CV and a good job, you could well be living in most African cities. Make sure you’re well prepared before you leave, especially when it comes to medical cover, to guarantee a successful stay.
Tips for a successful expatriation
For a successful expatriation, we recommend avoiding the two main pitfalls that many expatriates fall into:
Staying with expats, away from the local population (this is sometimes difficult to do otherwise, as the employer, for organizational and/or security reasons, groups all its expatriate employees together in a single area).
Cut yourself off from your roots and throw yourself “headlong” into the new culture that welcomes you. Ideally, you should immerse yourself in the host country, adapting as best you can to its rhythm and customs, while retaining your original cultural references.
We advise you to adapt and integrate while remaining connected to your roots, possibly by making regular visits to your home country to keep the memory alive. What’s more, with our international health insurance, your medical expenses are covered, even when you’re traveling, giving you extra peace of mind when you’re abroad.
