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Buying and investing in African real estate
Clear, practical answers to the questions foreign buyers and diaspora investors ask most. Researched, regularly updated, written for non-experts.
Can foreigners buy property in Kenya?
Foreigners can own property in Kenya on a leasehold basis of up to 99 years. Freehold title and agricultural land are reserved for Kenyan citizens, but apartments, commercial buildings, and urban land are all accessible to non-citizens through leasehold or a Kenyan-registered company.
Read the guideHow to buy property in Ghana
To buy property in Ghana: confirm the land category, engage an independent lawyer, run a title search at the Lands Commission, sign a sale and purchase agreement, pay stamp duty, and register the lease. Foreigners can hold leases of up to 50 years, renewable.
Read the guideWhy invest in Rwanda real estate?
Rwanda is one of the most straightforward African markets for foreign investors. Land registration is digitized and typically completes in days, foreigners can hold long leases, and Kigali has persistent undersupply of quality housing driving both rents and values.
Read the guideCan foreigners buy property in Africa?
In most African countries, foreigners can buy and own property, but the rules differ. Some allow full freehold ownership, others offer long leaseholds (typically 50 to 99 years), and a few restrict foreign ownership of land while permitting ownership of buildings or shares in property companies.
Read the guideHow much is property in Africa?
Property prices vary widely. A two-bedroom apartment in a prime city neighborhood ranges from around 60,000 USD in parts of Accra or Kampala to 250,000+ USD in central Lagos or Nairobi. Land and off-plan units cost considerably less.
Read the guideHow to buy property in Africa
To buy property in Africa: pick a market based on ownership rules and returns, hire a local lawyer, do title and developer due diligence, structure the holding (personal name, company, or leasehold), transfer funds through approved channels, and register title with the local land registry.
Read the guideIs it safe to invest in African real estate?
It can be, provided you address the four risks that cause almost all losses: unclear title, developer non-delivery, currency depreciation, and weak management. Each has a standard protection, and pooled, professionally managed vehicles handle most of them for you.
Read the guideHow can the diaspora invest in African real estate?
The main routes are: buy land and build, buy completed property and rent it out, join a diaspora syndicate, invest in a listed property fund, or use a managed fractional platform. The right choice depends on how much capital, time, and on-the-ground trust you have.
Read the guide