Global Mobility Insights from K2 Group, Q1 2026 - Part II

Africa Overview

Shipping:

Cost escalation persist, and extended transit times for sea freight of 6 – 12+ weeks remain typical. Early booking is essential due to limited container availability and peak demand. Customs processes vary widely between African markets, with occasional national system downtime impacting clearance timelines.

Ethiopia is currently facing an acute shortage of 20ft shipping containers, driven primarily by freight rotation and trade imbalance issues. With the key drivers being reduced inbound imports mean fewer containers are arriving in Ethiopia, sharply limiting the number available for reuse in exports. Major freight agents report that daily container arrivals at Modjo Dry Port have dropped from over 200 units to fewer than 12 in some cases. The Ethio‑Djibouti Railway recently repositioned 104 empty 20ft containers to Addis Ababa to alleviate shortages—a positive but small step relative to demand.

Housing:

Expat housing demand remains strong in key hubs, and rental markets in prime expat areas are experiencing moderate to high price increases. Currently, FICA document requirements for corporate leases are proving challenging, with some accounts not being willing to share sensitive documentation such as the Director’s ID. There is a risk of assignees losing out on properties due to delays relating to FICA document requirements, and delays in legal teams reviewing leases before signature.

Availability of quality serviced apartments varies significantly by city, and rates have increased across most major cities. Short-term stays (1 - 3 months) are becoming more expensive than tradition all eases. Culturally specific accommodation requests are rising, for example, requests for gas burners to prepare traditional dishes.

Many companies are extending temporary accommodation due to delays in securing long‑term housing, visa processing and shipment arrivals.

Recommendation: Pre‑book temporary accommodation where possible, align housing search timing with arrival dates, and avoid committing to permanent accommodation before visa approval.

Nigeria Diesel Shortage:

Nigeria is currently experiencing severe diesel supply disruptions, exacerbating an already fragile power system and directly affecting both generator‑reliant operations and internet/telecom connectivity.

Key Impacts:

1. Intensified Power Outages

• National electricity generation has fallen below critical levels increasing black out frequency and forcing greater dependence on diesel generators.
• Businesses and households rely heavily on self‑generation, with diesel shortages limiting their ability to maintain operations.

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2. Telecom & Internet Disruptions

• Over 16,000 telecom sites are at risk when diesel supply to base stations is blocked, as most rely on generators due to grid instability.
• Recent shortages caused call drops, reduced data speeds, and localized internet outages when base stations in Abuja couldn’t access diesel.

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3. Risk of Wider Network Failure

• Telecom operators warn that ongoing diesel constraints could escalate into nation wide network blackouts, affecting mobile services, banking, emergency response, and security systems that depend on uninterrupted connectivity.

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APAC Mobility Trends

Asia continues to play a central role in global innovation, with rapid advancements in AI, robotics, and biotechnology driving significant shifts in talent mobility. As companies expand R&D operations across the region, there is increasing demand for specialised technical talent in cities such as Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hangzhou and Tokyo, creating new mobility hotspots that increasingly rival traditional centres like San Francisco, Seattle and London.

China & Hong Kong:

Mainland China continues to experience a multi-year decline in traditional inbound international relocations. However, the sustained over supply of office and residential inventory in major cities, including Shanghai and Beijing, continues to provide favourable pricing conditions and greater negotiation leverage for incoming assignees.

Hong Kong is demonstrating signs of a selective and strategically important recovery. The Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) has attracted more than 100,000 applications, resulting in an influx of skilled professionals, primarily from mainland China, but increasingly also from South east Asia. This trend is viewed positively by sectors such as financial services and wealth management, which have benefited from the renewed inflow of specialised talent.

India:

India remains one of the stand out mobility markets in 2026. Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Pune have evolved far beyond their legacy roles as cost‑efficient out sourcing hubs; they are now home to an expanding network of global AI and biotech R&D centres. Bengaluru, often referred to as the “Silicon Valley of Asia,” is experiencing sustained demand for both senior leadership and technical talent.

India is also emerging as a significant source of outbound mobility, supplying talent for assignments across Asia as well as to major destinations in EMEA and the Americas.

Japan:

Tokyo is undergoing a sustained surge in demand within its residential sector. A weaker yen has improved affordability for foreign firms, and Japan’s reputation for political and economic stability continues to attract cross‑border talent. The country has reached one of its highest recorded levels of foreign‑born workers as it seeks to address skills shortages associated with an aging population, mirroring broader demographic trends seen in parts of Europe.

Australia:

Sydney and Melbourne continue to serve as key operational hubs for organisations with APAC footprints. Despite several interest rate increases in 2025, investment in the build‑to‑rent sector remains strong. Supply, however, continues to lag behind demand. As in many global high‑growth cities, corporate assignees are competing with local residents and students for a limited pool of high‑quality rental properties.

Immigration

APAC:

Across APAC, reflecting similar dynamics in Europe and North America, an aging population and persistent shortages in high‑skill talent continue to challenge economic growth. Many governments have responded by modernising immigration systems, introducing specialised skills‑based visa categories, and enhancing compliance and risk‑management requirements.

At the same time, markets such as Japan and Singapore continue to uphold robust protections for their domestic labour markets. The resulting tension between talent shortages, rising immigration‑related costs, and heightened compliance obligations is shaping mobility strategy across the region and driving a more deliberate, risk‑aware approach to talent relocation.

Global:

On 30 March, K2 XBorder released its inaugural XBorder Quarterly, a concise newsreel covering key global immigration trends including:

• Ongoing UK reforms to the Skilled Worker Framework
• Accelerated modernisation of immigration systems in several EU member states
• A sharp increase in client demand across the Middle East
• Tightening U.S. entry requirements for both business travellers and visa applicants
• How Asian governments are balancing high‑skilled migration with local labour protections

Click here to watch the newsreel.

2026 FIFA World Cup

The 2026 FIFA World Cup (11 June–19 July) is already affecting relocation activity:

• Housing shortages: Long‑term rentals are shifting to short‑term visitor demand, reducing available inventory.
• High‑pressure cities: Vancouver, Toronto, Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Dallas, NewYork/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Miami, and Seattle are seeing notable supply constraints.
• Reduced choice & competition: Corporate housing providers report shorter lead times, fewer suitable options, and increased competition for mid‑ to high‑end accommodation.

Home‑finding services may take longer in advance of and during this period, with fewer viable options, higher prices, and a need to book well in advance. Employee expectations may need adjusting due to limited availability.

Congestion in and around host cities during the tournament is expected to affect travel times, impacting logistics providers and destination services. There will be strain on local infrastructure, including road traffic, restricted zones around stadiums, and increased commercial activity, which may slow down household goods transportation and delivery timelines.

Recommendation: We strongly recommend initiating moves as early as possible to secure accommodation and maintain flexibility.