Prime Minister Godwin Friday says his New Democratic Party government plans to introduce a Citizenship by Investment programme in 2026, reopening debate over the policy’s economic benefits and potential risks.
Friday described the initiative as a “critical economic pillar” as St. Vincent and the Grenadines nears its borrowing limits, saying it would create new revenue streams and help the government plan ahead.
The announcement has renewed regional and international scrutiny of citizenship-for-investment schemes, which have drawn criticism from partners including the United States and the United Kingdom over concerns about security, money laundering and reputational risk. Critics warn that weak safeguards can allow abuse, while supporters argue that strong due diligence can deliver meaningful gains for small island economies.
Friday said SVG intends to learn from other countries’ experiences and avoid past pitfalls, but offered no timeline for legislation, compliance frameworks or international consultations. The NDP pledged to pursue CBI during the November 2025 election campaign.
Opposition figures and civil society groups have urged caution, questioning whether the potential revenue outweighs diplomatic and regulatory costs amid heightened global scrutiny.
