These Singaporeans moved to Africa for work. They didn’t expect to end up loving it.
These Singaporeans moved to Africa for work. They didn’t expect to end up loving it.
Mr Nathan Ong relocated to Cape Town, South Africa, in 2024 with his family and quickly fell for the city’s dramatic landscapes. "There's so much diversity and natural beauty here that it really spoils you."
In Mr Ong’s neighbourhood, residents built a playground from scratch when children lacked a place to play – a sign of the strong community spirit he has found in South Africa.
Entrepreneur Rohan Shah (right) relocated to Kigali, Rwanda, in 2022. Building a rum business there meant learning how things work locally – often through networks and personal connections.
Mr Lee Jun Da's posting to Accra, Ghana, in 2023 was for eight months. He requested an extension to stay and has remained ever since. He discovered a slower rhythm of life, where meals and meetings take time and relationships come first.
In Conakry, Guinea, deputy general manager Teo Hee Lian unexpectedly found work–life balance. With more free time than she had in Singapore, she often makes spontaneous plans with fellow expatriates.
Despite concerns from family and friends about safety, the Singaporeans interviewed say daily life across African cities is often welcoming and vibrant – and far more complex and rewarding than stereotypes suggest.
