But several pundits and politicians in the region blame their difficulties on rich foreigners: in particular, on Americans.

ECONOMIST: Asian pride: Dollars and dolours | The

High demand means rich foreigners are on show to the school rather than the other way round, he explains.

ECONOMIST: Assimilating plutocrats

This would be similar to the EB-5 program, which gives green cards to rich foreigners who invest in the U.S. This would allow non-rich immigrants to make an investment in the region sponsoring their visa.

FORBES: How To Improve Immigrant Visas

Rwanda, in particular, has developed a lucrative eco-tourism industry based on rich foreigners who wish to follow in the steps of Dr Schaller and of Dian Fossey, an American researcher who brought the gorillas' plight to the world's attention, and was later murdered, probably by poachers who did not welcome the publicity.

ECONOMIST: The number of mountain gorillas appears to be rising

The housing markets in both Arizona and Florida have bottomed out as cash-rich investors and foreigners snap up properties that are bargains compared with equivalent rental ones.

ECONOMIST: The economy

Whereas rich people and foreigners go to Acapulco.

ECONOMIST: Mexico

The obvious solution would be to sell banks to foreigners skilled and rich enough to restructure them.

ECONOMIST: Polish banks

Most rich countries make it hard (or illegal) for foreigners to give money to politicians or parties.

ECONOMIST: Reputation management

The kidnapping of foreigners and wealthy Nigerians is common in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, and has become a lucrative trade for criminals.

BBC: Hyundai paid Nigeria kidnap ransom, police say

The kidnapping of foreigners and wealthy Nigerians is common in the oil-rich Niger Delta region, in the south of the country, and has become a lucrative trade for criminals.

BBC: Nigeria foreign workers abducted in Bauchi state - police