Up close and personal with Abire Mansoor

What spurred your initial interest and passion for the citizenship by investment industry?

Caribbean citizenship is a profound privilege, and one I was fortunate to receive by birth. Today, as a licensed CBI agent, I have the honour of helping others access that same opportunity. It’s not just about securing a passport. It’s about committing to Antigua & Barbuda’s growth and helping families find the freedom, stability and future that my own parents once sought. Antigua’s history has been shaped by generations in pursuit of a better future through labour, entrepreneurship and investment. Today, our Citizenship by Investment Programme continues that legacy, offering a purposeful path not by chance, but by deliberate choice.

What do you consider the most pressing issue in the industry today?

Maintaining credibility in an increasingly complex global environment. As regulatory expectations evolve and international scrutiny intensifies, the long-term success of the industry depends on robust due diligence, transparency and consistent adherence to the highest standards. These standards must be upheld not only on paper but in practice.

Citizenship should be more than a gateway to mobility. It can be the beginning of a meaningful relationship – one where investment leads to real connection, contribution and legacy.

How would you like to see the industry evolve going forward?

I would like to see the industry move toward deeper, more lasting engagement between investors and the countries they choose. Citizenship should be more than a gateway to mobility. It can be the beginning of a meaningful relationship – one where investment leads to genuine connection, contribution and legacy. When structured thoughtfully, these programmes create long-term value for both the country and the investor.

What books are you reading, and which have inspired you most?

Think Again by Adam Grant and The Archer by Paulo Coelho. Both books invite you to challenge your assumptions and stay open to new perspectives. I’m drawn to writing that encourages reflection, quiet confidence and intentional growth.

Who is the person who has influenced you the most in your life and career?

I’ve never really had just one mentor or role model. I tend to pick up lessons from the people and experiences around me, and over time that’s shaped how I work and think. It’s like building a mosaic, where every piece adds something meaningful. That mindset has been valuable in this work. Citizenship planning isn’t one-size-fits-all. It requires the ability to understand different motivations, adapt to varying needs and approach each family’s situation with clarity and care.

Antigua offers more than just a second passport. It offers freedom, stability, and the chance to be part of something that holds long-term value.

How would you appease critics of CBI programmes?

When done properly, citizenship by investment can strengthen nations and empower families. I understand the concerns that often arise from security risks to the idea of “selling passports.” I shared those concerns when I first entered the industry. I have seen how poorly designed programmes can damage a country’s reputation and trust in the system.

However, the conversation should not be about eliminating CBI. It should be about improving it. Raising global standards, increasing transparency and ensuring proper oversight are what will move the industry forward.

Antigua & Barbuda is an example of how it can work. Our programme is grounded in due diligence and built around real national priorities, with the funds it brings in supporting public schools, hospitals, climate-resilient infrastructure and more. For families, it offers not just greater mobility but the chance to invest in something meaningful.

When structured with care and integrity, these programmes are not about selling citizenship. They are about creating lasting partnerships between nations and globally engaged individuals.

What would you say to anyone thinking about pursuing citizenship or investing in Antigua & Barbuda?

Antigua offers more than just a second passport. It offers freedom, stability and the chance to be part of something that holds long-term value. Through real estate investment under the CBI programme, you’re not just purchasing property, you’re securing a legacy asset that offers both personal benefits and solid returns.

This is a place where your investment contributes to real development. It’s not just about where you can travel. It’s about what you can help build and what you gain by being part of it.

What is your favourite spot in the twin islands?

York Island. It’s a tiny, uninhabited island just off Antigua, with a stretch of untouched white sand and some of the clearest blue water you’ll ever see. You can only reach it by boat, and only when the tide is low, which makes it feel even more special. It’s peaceful, natural and completely unspoilt. The kind of place that reminds you what makes this country so extraordinary.