How to Choose Your “Why” (and Why It Determines Everything Else in Your Africa Relocation)

When it comes to relocating to Africa, most people start with the same questions:
Which country should I choose? How much will it cost? What visa do I need? Where will I live?

These questions matter, but they’re not the first step.
The first step is understanding your WHY, the deep motivation behind your desire to relocate.

Your why is the compass that guides every decision.
It’s the anchor that keeps you steady when challenges appear.
It’s the reason you continue when excitement fades and reality begins.

Whether you’re exploring the idea or actively planning your relocation, clarity about your why is the single most important foundation you can build.

Why Your “Why” Matters So Much

Moving to Africa is not only a logistical move. It is an emotional, cultural, spiritual and economic transition. Without clarity, the process becomes overwhelming.

A strong why helps you:

• choose the right country

• create a realistic timeline

• make financial decisions

• communicate your decision to family

• navigate culture shock and setbacks

• stay committed when things feel hard

People who thrive in Africa are not necessarily the ones with the most money or the perfect plan.
They are the ones who deeply understand what they’re moving toward.

Your Surface-Level Why vs Your Deep Why

Most people start with surface-level motivations:

• “I’m burnt out and need a change.”

• “I want to feel connected to my roots.”

• “I want a better lifestyle for my children.”

• “I’m tired of the West.”

These are valid, but they’re not the whole picture.

Your deep why sits beneath these reasons.
It’s personal. Emotional. Motivational. Sometimes uncomfortable.
It answers:
What am I truly seeking? What transformation do I hope this move will bring?

Understanding this takes reflection. Do not rush.

10 Deep Questions That Reveal Your Real Why

Below are the categories your deep reflection should explore, inspired by the self-inquiry framework inside your Your Africa Why worksheet. Use these as springboards for journaling, voice notes or honest conversations with yourself.

1. Your Origin Moment

When did relocating become a real possibility not just a dream?
What triggered the shift?

2. Your Dissatisfaction Driver

What in your current life feels misaligned or limiting?
What change are you seeking?

3. Your Heritage Connection

How does heritage, identity or ancestry shape your desire for Africa?

4. Your Lifestyle Vision

What does your ideal day in Africa look like, from morning to night?

5. Your Sacrifices

What are you willing and not willing to give up to make the move?

6. Your Fears

What scares you most and what deeper concern does that fear reveal?

7. Your Timing

Why now? Why not earlier or later?

8. Your Definition of Success

Three years after moving, what would make you say:
“This was absolutely the right decision”?

9. Your Personal Transformation

In what ways do you hope living in Africa will change you?

10. Your Legacy

How do you want this relocation to fit into your life story?

How Your Why Shapes the Practical Steps Ahead

Once you know your why, everything else becomes clearer.

Your “why” influences:

• Which country fits your goals

• Whether you pursue remote work, entrepreneurship or employment

• Your relocation budget and savings plan

• Your ideal pace of life and community

• Your level of risk tolerance

• Your timeline (6 months vs 2 years)

It even shapes how you navigate challenges like family pressure, loneliness or unexpected costs.

When your why is strong, you adapt instead of crumbling.

Why Many Relocations Fail (and How a Strong Why Prevents That)

Relocations fall apart when people move based on:

• emotion alone

• trends

• frustration with Western life

• pressure from social media

• comparisons with others

• unrealistic expectations

When you move without clarity, every challenge feels like a sign to quit.

When you move with clarity, every challenge becomes part of the journey.

You Don’t Need All the Answers — Just the Right Ones

You don’t need to know everything about visas, housing or cost of living before you start.

But you do need to know:

• why you’re going

• what you want

• what you’re willing to sacrifice

• what you’re expecting to gain

• who you want to become

When you understand these things, the practical planning becomes logical and manageable.

Download the Free “Your Africa Why” Worksheet

To make this process easier, I’ve created a guided worksheet that helps you explore the 10 deep questions, uncover patterns and build a clear foundation for your relocation plan.

It includes structured reflection prompts to help you:

• identify your strongest motivations

• recognise hidden fears

• uncover personal patterns

• understand where you may need more preparation

• create a solid foundation for your relocation roadmap

Download it for free at here.

Your Africa journey starts with your why. Once that part is clear, everything else aligns.