When people think about investing in Africa, real estate is often the first thing that comes to mind and for good reason. Whether it’s buying land on the outskirts of a fast-growing city or co-owning apartments in high-demand urban areas, real estate remains one of the most reliable ways to build wealth across the continent.

But it’s not just for the ultra-rich or those “back home.” If you’re in the diaspora, you too can tap into this opportunity. We know the concerns you probably have about sending money home to invest in real estate. This article will explain how best to get started and how to do it securely, transparently, and collectively.

So, What Exactly Is Real Estate Investment?

Real estate investing means putting money into property (like a house, apartment, a commercial building or piece of land) with the expectation that it will either grow in value over time or generate income (like rent).

In Africa, two types of real estate assets are especially popular:

• Residential properties: Think rental apartments, bungalows, or short-let homes.

• Land: Especially in rapidly developing areas. You buy and hold while the value appreciates or you develop it later.

Why Real Estate in Africa? Why Now?

Africa is one of the fastest urbanising continents in the world. According to the UN, over 60% of Africans will live in cities by 2050. This rapid shift means increased demand for housing, infrastructure and commercial space, which creates investment opportunities.

In Nigeria, for instance, the housing deficit is estimated to be over 17 million units. Countries such as Ghana are experiencing similar trends.

What does that mean for investors? Demand is high, supply is catching up and that’s a sweet spot.

What’s more? Digital tools and community-led models, such as investment collectives, are removing the barriers that once made diaspora investment feel risky or inaccessible. That means now is not just a good time, it’s a uniquely accessible one.

Strive Masiyiwa, Zimbabwean billionaire entrepreneur and philanthropist, has long emphasised the importance of land and infrastructure as keys to Africa’s economic future. Many African business leaders view real estate as a foundational asset class for long-term wealth.

How Lucrative Is It, Really?

Here’s a quick look at what’s possible:

• In cities like Lagos, rental yields can range between 6% and 8% annually, depending on the location and property type.

• Land in emerging suburbs often appreciates up to 20% annually.

• Short-term rentals (like Airbnbs in tourist hubs or business cities) are generating steady passive income, especially with proper property management in place.

Real estate also protects your wealth from inflation and gives you a tangible asset you can see and pass on to the next generation.

So Why Don’t More Diasporans Invest?

Many Africans abroad want to invest but are held back by:

• Trust issues (“Will my money really be used for the property?”)

• Distance (“How do I monitor what’s going on from abroad?”)

• Capital requirements (“I don’t have $20k just lying around to buy land”)

• Lack of structure (“I want to invest but where do I start?”)

We get it. That’s exactly why we built Borderless.

How Borderless Makes Real Estate Investing Accessible

At Borderless, we make it easy for Africans in the diaspora to co-invest in high-quality real estate opportunities in Africa.

Our platform enables you to:

• Join vetted investment collectives, like Diaspora House, focused on residential projects or land.

• Pool funds with like-minded people, so you can start with what you have and co-invest with others.

• Access clear documentation, performance tracking and updates. All in one place.

This means you can own real estate in Africa, even if you live thousands of miles away and do it in a way that’s structured, transparent and community-driven.

And yes, this is already happening.

There are several real estate-focused investment collectives and platforms already creating opportunities for Africans in the diaspora to co-own land and property across the continent. These include:

• Propearnly

• CoBuildit

• Trustcrow

• Paddco

• Diaspora House (currently active on the Borderless platform)

What You Can Do Next

Create a free Borderless account here to explore investment collectives co-owning valuable assets across Africa.

Got a real estate project already in motion? Let’s help you turn it into a collective and bring investors on board, the structured and compliant way. Start your journey here

Need help or have questions? Join our WhatsApp channel or send us an email at hello@onborderless.com We’re here to help.

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