How to Buy Land in Africa: A Beginners Guide

Buying land in a new country can be an intimidating prospect. Even if you’re an outgoing extrovert, being able to communicate with locals and establish a business from scratch can be daunting. You may have heard horror stories about people who’ve gone on African land buying sprees only for their business ideas to fail.

This is because establishing a business in a new country is hard. However, it doesn’t have to be.

The key to successfully buying land in Africa lies in preparation. Before you go off and buy a plot of land, check out the following advice to make your own purchase as smooth as possible.

Find Out Where to Buy Land in Africa

Where to find land in Africa? With few exceptions, most African countries don’t allow foreigners to own land. This includes all 11 countries on the continent that are listed in the World Bank’s ‘do-not-buy’ list.

With this in mind, the best place to find land to buy in Africa? Outside of the ‘do-not-buy’ countries.

Why? Because most countries in Europe and North America are very welcoming to foreign land ownership, and many are eager to work with investors and entrepreneurs.

Decide What Sort of Land You Want

The type of land you have your heart set on will have a huge impact on your decision-making process. You’ll want to buy a plot of agricultural land, or a plot of residential land. You’ll want to buy a plot of land within a city, or a plot of land in a rural area.

It doesn’t make sense to buy a plot of land on a beach if you plan on starting a business that imports and exports goods. On the other hand, buying a plot of land in a rural area can be a good idea if you plan on receiving mail-order goods from manufacturers in Europe and the United States.

Learn about the Land Market in Africa

Before you go out and buy land in Africa, you should be aware of some key facts. First off, a lot of people go out and buy land in Africa without fully understanding the land market in the country. They do this for a few reasons.

Some people think that the price of land is fixed and doesn’t adjust to changing economic conditions. Others think that land is a static asset and doesn’t change in value like other stocks, bonds, and commodities do.

Both of these assumptions are wrong. In fact, the price of land is highly dependent on the local economy and market forces.

What can you do to learn more about the African land market?

- Learn about the history of land ownership in Africa. You’d be surprised by what you learn about the origins of land ownership in the continent. For example, did you know that some of the oldest pieces of African land are owned by the Chinese?

- Find out what the current trends in land prices are. There are lots of websites, magazines, books, and podcasts that are devoted to the African land market. You can also attend conferences, seminars, and meet-ups on this topic.

- Make friends with people who have a good understanding of the local economy and business environment. This will give you a greater sense of what’s happening in the country and help you learn about new trends in the market.

Do Your Research and Find an Agent

In order to buy land in Africa, you’ll need to know where to find it and how much it will cost. There are many different ways of finding land. One way is to go out and scout for land yourself. Another is to use online forums and websites that are dedicated to helping foreigners buy land in Africa.

Once you’ve found a potential plot of land, the next step is to find an agent. An agent is a person who has connections with landowners and can help you negotiate a deal to purchase the land.

You can find an agent by asking real estate agents and brokers in your country if they know anyone who can help you find land. Alternatively, you can post on online forums and message other members, asking them to introduce you to prospective agents.

The Process of Buying Land in Africa

Now that you’ve located a potential plot of land you want to buy and found an agent, it’s time to go to Africa and buy the land. This can be difficult, especially if you don’t know anyone and don’t have any connections in the country you want to buy land in.

When you go to buy land in Africa, make sure you’re well-prepared. You should have all of the following with you:

- A list of all of your contacts that can help you in Africa. If you don’t know anyone, you’ll need to forge new networking and relationship connections to buy land.

- A plan on how you’re going to navigate and negotiate the local African bureaucracy. A good plan can go a long way in preventing misunderstandings, incorrect information, and unnecessary delays in the process of buying land in Africa.

- A good amount of cash. There are many banks, financial institutions, and other institutions in Africa that are eager to help you buy land. However, many of them charge hefty fees and interest rates.

- A good understanding of the local culture and language. You might need to know local customs and etiquette, as well as basic local and government laws.

Conclusion

Buying land in Africa can be an exciting and profitable experience. However, it’s important to be well-prepared for the journey. The process of buying land in Africa can take a long time, and there are many challenges along the way.

Knowing what to expect and being prepared can help you avoid many of the pitfalls, frustrations, and disappointments that come with the process of buying land in Africa.