Securing commercial property for business, finding a home, or buying land in Africa has been made easier for Africans abroad by the real estate portal, Let’s Move Africa

Alexander Boadi is the Director of Let’s Move Africa, a property portal that allows users to find their ideal home, land or commercial property in Africa.

The London-based organisation also offers investment and development advice and provides the latest information and publications on the African real estate market.

ReConnect Africa spoke to Alexander about the work of his organisation and the impact it is making on Africans in the Diaspora.

ReConnect Africa: What were the key objectives behind Let’s Move Africa?

Alexander Boadi: Our objective is to assist real estate developers in Africa to find investors for their projects. This involves Let’s Move Africa (LMA) writing financial feasibility reports and acting as a broker. Another objective is to make Africa the real estate property destination of choice for investors from Europe, America and Asia

ReConnect Africa: What is your background and what inspired you to set up the company?

Alexander Boadi: My background is purely one of real estate. I have worked in the UK real estate industry for over 10 years in various roles such as estate agency, property management, land investment and surveying. My educational background is in real estate, and I have a degree in Estate Management and a Masters in Real Estate Development & Investment.

ReConnect Africa: What would you describe as the key achievements of LMA to date?

Alexander Boadi: A key achievement has been changing the public’s opinion of real estate in Africa. Many people tend to believe Africa is all desert, war zones and safari parks. We have shown that there is a thriving middle class with luxury and high-end real estate.

The main issues tend to revolve around transparency of real estate assets. Time and time again we come across issues involving title to land disputes. A secondary issue is home finance.

ReConnect Africa: What are the key challenges Africans abroad encounter when seeking their ideal home or land purchase in Africa?

Alexander Boadi: The main issues tend to revolve around transparency of real estate assets. Time and time again we come across issues involving title to land disputes. A secondary issue is home finance; the system in Africa provides mortgages but the interest is very high and unaffordable to the general public.

ReConnect Africa: LMA operates from key hubs across the continent including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Cameroon and South Africa. Where have you found the greatest level of interest in real estate purchasing and investment?

Alexander Boadi:Real estate investors and developers see the South African market as a huge opportunity. Investment returns from real estate in Africa’s rapidly expanding economies significantly exceed those achievable in almost all developed markets.

Forecasts of 20% net annual returns from investing in shopping malls, office blocks or industrial complexes in countries across Africa continue to draw in new investors. Of the 23 countries within Africa that were assessed by the Property Rights Alliance for the International Property Rights Index 2014, South Africa ranks highest in Africa (26^th globally) in respect of institutional property rights.

ReConnect Africa: How do you hope that your organisation will impact on Africans and non-Africans with an eye on investing in property?

Alexander Boadi: LMA is all about transparency and accountability. We work in direct partnership with African governments and Law firms that are based in the UK and Africa. We aim to make our clients feel safe with their financial transactions.

ReConnect Africa: What have been your major challenges to setting up and operating a business across Africa?

Alexander Boadi: Each country in Africa is different and each region has its own complexities. You have to know your market and how to operate on the ground.

ReConnect Africa: Is there any business advice you can share with others?

Alexander Boadi: I would always advise people to be fearless and bold in business. The only obstacle that holds people back is themselves. Nothing is owed to anyone, therefore, you need to get up, be fearless and follow your dreams. I sent countless emails and made hundreds of calls before I got my first break. This taught me a priceless lesson; nothing worthwhile comes easy.