REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ACCRA [PART-6]: 4 KEY FACTORS DRIVING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT GROWTH ON THE ACCRA-WINNEBA CORRIDOR In Ghana’s evolving real estate market, fortune is quickly shifting to the corridors once overlooked. One such game-changing stretch is the Accra–Winneba corridor, a rising powerhouse along the N1 Highway. What was once a quiet coastal link is now transforming into a strategic real estate belt, driven by rapid infrastructure upgrades, urban sprawl and investor interest across residential, commercial, industrial and agri-based developments. This article reveals how the 4 key driving factors are impacting real estate investment prospects along this corridor, explores the type of property investment with high prospects, and concludes with key risks and recommendations. But before we go into the substance of today’s discussion, let me remind you that, the Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd stands out as one of Ghana’s leading authorities in real estate solutions. From land acquisition, title registration, architectural design, general construction, property development, real estate investment advisory services et cetera, we provide a comprehensive real estate service experience. Ready to move from interest to investment, simply search “Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd” on Google. Visit our website, explore available properties and reach out to our team for a swift professional service delivery. With thousands of serviced litigation-free parcels of land across Accra and key growth corridors, we are uniquely positioned to help you unlock value in residential, commercial and industrial real estate. Now get ready as we run you through the real estate investment opportunities on the Accra-Winneba corridor, starting with location advantage and strategic connectivity. Location Advantage and Strategic Connectivity The Accra-Winneba corridor links the Greater Accra Region to emerging urban centers in the Central Region such as Kasoa, Winneba and beyond. Using Accra as the reference point, the Accra-Winneba corridor forms the western segment of the N1 highway, a critical artery facilitating trade, travel and logistics between Accra, the Central and Western Regions. Its strategic connectivity and proximity to the coast enhances its attraction to real estate property investment. The expression of which is found in the substantial growth in residential and commercial developments in communities along the corridor. Among these commercial and residential developments are the West Hills Mall, the China Mall and one of Ghana’s leading developers, the Eden Heights. Available Affordable Land The availability of affordable lands reduces the initial capital requirements allowing first time investors to participate. This enables developers acquire larger parcels for residential, commercial, industrial or mixed-use developments. Compared to corridors such as the Tema Community 25, the Tema-Akosombo, the Accra-Nsawam, the Accra-Oyibi, the Accra-Aburi stretches, etc, where a serviced plot (70ftx100ft) sells averagely above Ghs 100,000, same along the Accra-Winneba corridor particularly Kasoa and Budumburam area sells around Ghs 30,000 or a little more. Moreover, the land along the corridor is not only ideal for real estate investment; it is also fertile for agricultural production and its associated developments such as agri-proccessing plants, irrigation infrastructure, which are also springing up on the corridor in record numbers. Transportation Hub The corridor is a major transportation hub that links the Greater Accra Region, the Central and the Western Regions of Ghana and through to the border of Ivory Coast at Elubo. This makes it one of the busiest corridors of our national highways. In fact, the Business Funding-Insider (2008) reported that, the Accra-Winneba (N1) stretch sees about 10,000 vehicular throughputs per day. This means that about 3,650,000 vehicles plough this route per annum on the assumption that throughput is same for all days throughout the 365 days in the year. This places the corridor second, after the Accra-Nsawam (N6) corridor on the list of corridors with high vehicular throughputs per year. This is 17 years down the line, now with population increases and rising urban sprawl over the period, this figure is expected to have risen even more than double. The constant vehicular and human traffic enhances the attractiveness of nearby land and real estate properties, creating value for transit-oriented developments, hostels, rests stop, auto-mechanic workshops, fuel filling stations, logistics hubs, construction equipment depots and building material depots. This explains why there is a major expansion in the aforementioned developments over the years with many still springing up at increasing rate. Kasoa Inter-Regional Market The Kasoa market along the Accra-Winneba corridor is one of the largest and busiest urban markets in the Central Region and the Greater Accra periphery. It serves tens of thousands of traders and buyers daily. Whilst we were gathering information on the Kasoa market for the purpose of this article, we found an estimated footfall (number of people passing through per time) of about 10,000 to 30,000 people on regular days and 30,000 to 50,000 people on peak market days. This drives the demand for commercial, residential and industrial properties such as retail spaces, warehouses, social housing etc in Kasoa and major towns along the Accra-Winneba corridor. Impact of Drivers on Real Estate Investment Even though the investment drivers are few, their impact on multiple levels of real estate investment is enormous. We shall discuss them into detail starting with land banking investment opportunities. Land Banking Investments The prospects of land banking along this corridor are great for the following reasons; first, rapid urban expansion. Accra’s urban sprawl is extending partly toward Kasoa, Buduburam, Apam and Winneba. This trend creates increasing demand for land, raising future resale value. Also, the low entry cost of land along the corridor is another compelling factor driving the prospects of land banking investment especially in areas such as Kasoa. Moreover, the N1 highway expansion, the proposed Kasoa–Winneba highway dualization and the growth in industrial hubs along the corridor are increasing settlement demand. This drives interest in surrounding lands for housing, services and retail centers. Key profitable land banking zones to focus on are, Kasoa, Ngleshie Amanfro, Buduburam, Ojobi. Residential Development Potential The impact of the industrial spillover coupled with the prohibitive rents in central Accra; many low-income earners are moving into
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ACCRA [PART-5]: 5 POWERFUL PULL FACTORS DRIVING THE REAL ESTATE BOOM ALONG THE ACCRA-NSAWAM CORRIDOR Once viewed merely as a commuter stretch linking Greater Accra to the Eastern Region, the Accra–Nsawam corridor is now emerging as one of Ghana’s most dynamic real estate investment frontiers. Driven by ongoing road enhancements and the steady overspill of Accra’s urban growth, this corridor is reshaping investor interest and development patterns at an impressive pace. Land values are rising, new residential, industrial, logistics and commercial enclaves are taking shape, signaling the rise of a new growth belt. For developers, investors and homebuyers seeking strategic locations with strong appreciation potential, the Accra–Nsawam corridor presents a compelling blend of accessibility, affordability and future-proof opportunity. But before we go into the substance of today’s discussion, let me remind you that, the Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd stands out as one of Ghana’s leading authorities in real estate solutions. From land acquisition, title registration, architectural design, general construction, property development, real estate investment advisory services et cetera, we provide a comprehensive 360ºC service experience. Ready to move from interest to investment, simply search “Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd” on Google. Visit our website, explore available properties and reach out to our team for a swift professional service delivery. With thousands of serviced litigation-free parcels of land across Accra and key growth corridors, we are uniquely positioned to help you unlock value in residential, commercial and industrial real estate. Now get ready as we run you through the real estate investment opportunities on this corridor. We shall look at 5 pull factors driving real estate investment opportunities on this corridor, explore which type of property investment has high ROI potential and conclude with key risks/challenges and recommendations. Major National Highway The Accra-Nsawam corridor (N6) is an inland road that connects Accra to Central Ghana. By architecture, it branched off the N1 in Achimota around the Achimota overpass and heads north through Ofankor to the Eastern Region of Ghana. According to African Development Bank Group (2021), the Accra-Nsawam road (N6) sees about 50,000 vehicular throughputs per day. The report went ahead to mention that “the Ofankor-Nsawam stretch has exceeded its capacity in terms of the average daily traffic volumes”. What this means essentially is that, the corridor witnesses about 18,250,000 vehicular throughput per annum on the assumption that, all days have equal throughput. This heavy vehicular throughput has attracted major commercial activities along the corridor such as fuel filling stations, spare parts and auto-mechanical shops, food joints, retail shops and Highway Rest Stops such as the likes of LindaDor etc. Moreover, by virtue of its being the major route through which goods and services move to and fro between the Greater Accra Region, the Eastern Region, the Ashanti and the 3 Northern Regions, it has also attracted many logistics hubs, distribution centres, warehouses, advertising hotspot (billboards) and other transit-orientated developments such as transport terminals, lorry parks and digital-freight zones. This commercial attraction is expanding demand for land, commercial, residential and industrial properties, hence, the corridor now been considered as a real estate investment hotspot. Strategic Location Advantage The Accra-Nsawam Corridor serves as strategic industrial/commercial hub between three (3) major consumer markets, the Greater Accra Region, the Eastern Region, the Ashanti Region and the 3 Northern Regions. This makes it easier for factories or warehouses situated along this corridor to quickly supply wholesalers, retailers and supermarkets in the aforementioned Regions. Because of its strategic location, industrial operators situated along this corridor are able to serve multiple major markets thereby, reducing cost of operation compared to being based deep in Accra or far north. Moreover, this location advantage has also attracted construction firms, building material suppliers, light manufacturing companies etc setting up near Nsawam and distributing/serving their clients along the N6 to Accra, and Nsawam, onward to Kumasi. The direct highway (N6) access linking Accra, Nsawam and Kumasi reduces delivery times, a significant cost advantage to businesses. This is the reason it is not surprising, to see almost all the big names in the building material input sector such as the Atala Ltd, the K. Ofori’s, the Mississippi Top Ventures, the Paa Niis on this corridor. Major Stone Quarry Industrial Enclave Apart from the Tema-Aflao and the Tema-Afienya-Akosombo corridors discussed in earlier editions of this series, the Accra-Nsawam corridor is known to host one of the largest high-density stone quarry industrial enclaves in Ghana, supplying both the Greater Accra and Eastern Regional markets. The corridor houses key stone quarry operators such as the Maso Quarry, Mansco Quarry, E&H Quarry, Atlantic Rock Quarry, China Railways Engineering Quarry, Quality Quarry, Falcon Quarry, J&A Quarry just to mention a few. The operation of this industrial enclave has also driven the expansion of major industrial activities on the corridor, the demand for heavy-duty equipment rental and sales, haulage and logistics companies, fuel filling stations, spare part shops and auto-mechanical workshops etc. The commercial ripple effect of the operations of this enclave is no doubt one of the pull factors, driving the real estate investment boom along the corridor. Available Affordable Land The availability of affordable land along the Accra-Nsawam corridor directly enhances its opportunities by lowering entry barriers and enabling long-term strategic growth for businesses. Lower industrial land cost along the corridor compared to some of the light industrial zones in Tema makes it more attractive to existing and prospective industrial investors. Whilst gathering data for this article, we did a simple survey on land prices between some industrial areas in Accra and those along the Accra-Nsawam corridor. The results did not come as a surprise though, we discovered that the average price per acre of industrial land in the Tema Light Industrial Zones sells between USD$ 250,000 and USD$ 350,000 or more, whilst similar acreage along the Accra-Nsawam corridor sells between USD$ 8,500 and USD$ 10,000. Essentially, this suggests that, on average, the
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ACCRA [PART-4]: 6 REASONS WHY THE ACCRA-ABURI HILLS CORRIDOR IS ONE OF THE MOST PROMISING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT HOTSPOTS In part 3 of this series, we looked at the real estate investment prospects on the Tema-Afienya-Akosombo Corridor. If until now you haven’t laid hands on the previous editions, kindly visit our website and read them with painstaking care. You probably may have got some useful information that would have cost you thousands of Cedis or USD to obtain from a consultant. Today we are looking at part-4 which deals with the real estate investment prospects on the Accra-Aburi stretch and the Aburi Hills itself, but before we go into the substance of today’s discussion, let me remind you that, the Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd is Ghana’s leading thought leader in all real estate services. From land acquisition, title registration, building design, general construction, property development, real estate investment advisory services et cetera, we have you covered 360ºC. Do check us out on our website by searching on google the company name, explore our properties and reach out for a swift professional service delivery. We have thousands of parcels of land on this stretch and all other locations across all suburbs of Accra, Ghana and Africa. As an industry thought leader, I have seen how strategic corridors transform into goldmines when urbanization, infrastructure and lifestyle trends converge. The Accra-Aburi corridor stretching from the bustling capital to the serene Aburi Hills is one such transformative zone. Now, get ready as we dive into the real estate investment prospects on the Aburi Hills and the Accra-Aburi Corridor. We shall be looking at six (6) compelling reasons why the aforementioned stretch is also one of Accra’s most promising real estate investments hotspots, worth the attention of prospective investors. But for preview purposes, we shall be looking at its proximity to Accra’s urban core, the scenic and elevated terrain, its land availability and affordability, rapid suburbanization, diaspora and expat appeal and finally, its eco-tourism attraction. Now let’s begin with its proximity to Accra’s urban core. Proximity to Accra’s Urban Core The corridor offers quick access to central Accra, making it ideal for persons and businesses seeking nature-based commercial or residential alternatives. Taking into consideration its proximity to key amenities in the capital city, it is approximately 27 kilometers from central Accra and an average of 30 minutes or less drive to Accra Mall, the Airport, the University of Ghana Medical Centre, Atlantic Mall, A&C Mall, Accra Sports Stadium and the Passport Office. The (N4) highway linking Accra to the Aburi Hills is well paved and consistently maintained over the years. This dual and well-maintained highway has also attracted a significant number of high net-worth individuals from central Accra and the mass population spillover from, Legon, Haatso, Madina and Adenta. Scenic and Elevated Terrain Aburi Hills’ elevation provides cooler temperatures and panoramic views, attracting high-end residential developments and eco-tourism ventures. Average temperature on the Hills on a regular day is around 26ºC and 20ºC at nights compared to Accra central. Known for its natural and well kempt vegetation, the Hill has become a conducive place for habitation offering natural air with minimal levels of pollution. Apart from this, the Aburi Hills is also known for its frequent rainfall by virtue of its vegetation and its high humidity levels that can sometimes produce snow-like scenery around the Hills during some periods within the year. This natural vegetation, the cloudy and snow-like scenery combined with its panoramic views makes it an appealing residential choice and a centre of attraction for the affluent in Ghana and several other diaspora investors over the years. In addition to the above mentioned climatic conditions, the Aburi Hills is fast becoming the new affluent residential community, witnessing a significant affluent spillover from the already saturated affluent communities in Ghana such as East Legon, Cantonment, Labone, Roman Ridge, North Ridge and the Airport Residential areas. Affordability of Land Compared to East Legon, Airport Residential, Cantonment, Labone, Roman Ridge, et cetera, lands along the corridor and the Aburi Hills itself remains relatively affordable, offering high ROI potential as demand surges with the continuous attraction of more affluent individuals and the diaspora community. The non-availability of land and the prohibitive prices for the few pockets of land left around these locations has led to a significant drift of affluent individuals to the Aburi Hills. A study we conducted recently points to the fact that the next affluent community after the aforementioned will be the Aburi Hills as demand continue to rise. Current average land prices in the area ranges between Ghs 400,000 to Ghs 1million Cedis or more depending on whether it is titled or its proximity to the main road or both, whilst prices are likely to go up by 100% or more in the next 2 years if this demand persist. Rapid Suburbanization Areas like Oyarifa, Pantang, Abokobi, Danfa et cetera are transforming into vibrant residential hubs, driven by population spillover from Accra’s saturated neighborhoods coupled with student accommodation spillover from the University of Ghana and the University for Professional Studies which are also adding up to the demand pressure on this stretch. This spillover opportunity has already been tapped into by several forward-thinking individual and institutional developers in Accra such as Indigo Homes, Special Gardens, Black Rock Developers, Kuottam Estate, Rehoboth Properties, Adom City Estate, Sucasa Properties and many more that we are unable to list for want of space. This investment prospect also attracted large volume of land banking investments by both individuals and institutional investors. Diaspora and Expat Appeal The corridor’s blend of tranquility and accessibility also makes it a top choice for returning Ghanaians and expatriates seeking lifestyle properties. The panoramic view, lower temperature, high humidity, natural vegetation, good rainfall and fresh natural air appeals to the diaspora community, the affluent and retirees looking for such environments to build their retirement homes. On the Hill is the residence of a
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ACCRA [PART 3]: 5 REASONS WHY THE TEMA-AFIENYA-AKOSOMBO STRETCH IS ONE OF THE MOST PROMISING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT HOTSPOTS In part 2 of this series, we looked at the real estate investment prospects on the Tema-Aflao Highway stretch. If until now you haven’t laid hands on that article yet, kindly visit our website and read it meticulously. Today we are looking at part-3 which deals with the real estate investment prospects along the Tema, Afienya-Akosombo stretch, but before we go into the nitty-gritty of the discussion, let me remind you that, the Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd is Ghana’s leading thought leader in all real estate services. From land acquisition, title registration, building design, general construction, property development, real estate investment advisory services, we have you covered 360ºC. Do check us out on our website by searching on Google the company name, explore our properties and reach out for a swift professional service delivery. We have thousands of parcels of land on this stretch and all other locations across all suburbs of Accra, Ghana and Africa. Now, get ready as we dive into the substance of toddy’s discussion. We shall be looking at five (5) compelling reasons why the aforementioned stretch is also one of Accra’s most promising real estate investments hotspots. Strategic Location and Infrastructure Growth In part-2 of this series, we discussed the industrial spillover in the Greater Accra Metropolitan area which shifted to the Tema-Aflao Highway stretch. Considering the rate of industrial influx, our projections points to the fact that by 2030, the Tema-Aflao stretch will also be saturated and the next industrial spillover will shift boldly to the Tema-Afienya-Akosombo stretch. This is because the Tema-Afienya-Akosombo stretch is the next available stretch with mass affordable land and in close proximity to the Tema-Aflao Highway stretch. That notwithstanding, Afienya is the home of another significant industrial enclave that houses about 80% of all stone quarry installations in the region. With the best granite deposit, the stretch has attracted major stone quarry operators such as the Easter Quarries, Twin Rock, Mawums Quarry, Gokay Quarry, HMD Quarry just to mention a few. Its proximity to Tema and Accra, coupled with the ongoing infrastructure upgrades including the Tema Motorway expansion and the Tema Port expansion project will significantly enhance its appeal to both residential and commercial investors. The area is also known for its industrial scale laterite deposit, serving as one of the region’s largest sources of gravel or laterite. Also, the construction of new roads and the Eastern Corridor rail line are expected to further integrate Afienya into the Greater Accra Metropolitan area whilst it connects with the Eastern and the Volta Regions, making it a viable option for both industrial and residential developments. Availability of Mass Affordable Land Compared to Accra and central Tema, land prices in Afienya and parts of Akosombo remain relatively cheaper. This affordability opens doors for large-scale housing projects, gated communities and mixed-use developments targeting middle-income buyers and diaspora investors. Just a few years ago, we used to sell a plot of land (70ftx100ft) between Ghs 20,000 to Ghs 30,000. Today, our lands on the stretch sell between Ghs 100,000 and Ghs 150,000 depending on its proximity to the principal streets. But even with these prices, it is still considered affordable compared to same in the prime principal communities in Tema. The last study we did on the stretch and its investment outlook suggest that, land prices are likely to shoot to over 100% in the next few years to come taking into consideration the operationalization of the railway line on the stretch and the multiple influx of more commercial quarry operators which are driving demand for land for both industrial and social housing developments. Tourism and Leisure Opportunities At the far end of the corridor lies Akosombo, a town famed for its hydroelectric dam and breathtaking views of the Volta River. With tourism on the rise and a growing appetite for lakeside resorts, eco-lodges and retirement homes, Akosombo presents unique opportunities for hospitality and leisure-focused real estate projects. Apart from this, the area also houses quite a number of tourism potential; one is the Shai Hills Resource Reserve, which is also driving tourists’ traffic onto the stretch. Industrial and Logistics Growth Tema remains Ghana’s industrial and logistics hub, with the expanded port driving demand for warehousing, commercial spaces and social housing. Investors can tap into the spillover demand for logistics infrastructure and support services along the corridor. Already, the stretch has witnessed a significant attraction of manufacturing and infrastructure companies over the years. It is expected that many companies will come in as the industrial spillover continue to shift from Tema and may triple when the Tema-Aflao stretch is saturated. Safety and Security With the presence of the First (1st) Infantry Battalion of the Ghana Army on the stretch (Michel Camp), housing thousands of military officers, crime rate on this stretch is almost zero. Commuters plough the stretch without any threats or fear for their lives and livelihoods. This high level of safety and security is one of the driving forces attracting both individuals and businesses alike that are security conscious into this stretch. In a dispensation where crime is on the rise, people are not just looking for only prime locations, but safety and security. Therefore, all properties acquired in close proximity to the Barracks are likely to appreciate over 300% in the next few years to come. Market Dynamics and Investment Outlook According to recent reports, Ghana’s real estate sector has experienced a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30% between 2016 and 2021, making it one of the fastest-growing sectors in the country. This growth is fueled by urban migration, diaspora investment and government-backed infrastructure projects including road networks and railway extensions, which are unlocking new development opportunities. In Tema, the real estate landscape is already flourishing, with high demand for residential and mixed-use developments. The city’s strategic location along the Gulf of Guinea and
REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES IN ACCRA [PART-2]: 7 REASONS WHY THE TEMA-AFLAO HIGHWAY STRETCH IS ONE OF GHANA’S MOST PROMISING REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT HOTSPOTS The Greater Accra Region is rapidly expanding beyond its traditional urban boundaries, driven by population growth, infrastructure upgrades and rising investor interest in emerging communities. In Part 1 of this series, we explored why buying land in Prampram presents a smart investment opportunity. Now, in Part 2, we turn our attention to a broader yet highly strategic location, the Tema-Aflao Highway Stretch and why it has fast become one of Ghana’s most attractive real estate investment hotspot. As mentioned earlier, this edition is part 2 and we shall be looking at seven (7) reasons why this stretch has fast turned into the most promising real estate investment hotspot. But before we get into the substance of the discussion, let me present to you the 7 reasons for preview purposes. To begin with, the stretch is a Strategic Trade and Transit Corridor, Urban Decentralization and Population Spillover, the Effect of Industrial Spillover, Availability of Affordable Land, Ada and Volta River’s Eco-tourism Impact, Strategic Importance of Ada’s Salt Reserves and finally, the Investment Impacts of Granite and River sand deposits. Now, get ready, put on your reading lens and grab a cup of coffee as we run you through this fascinating investment opportunity on this stretch you probably did not know existed. Strategic Trade and Transit Corridor The Tema-Aflao Highway forms part of the Trans–West African Coastal Highway, a vital artery linking Ghana’s main port city, Tema, to the Volta Region and the Togo border at Aflao. This corridor facilitates the movement of goods and people across ECOWAS countries, making it a prime location for mix-use developments such as, industrial, commercial, residential and logistics-focused developments. Apart from this, the recent infrastructure commitments, including the resumption of the Tema-Aflao Road Project, a £225 million initiative in partnership with the Ghana Highway Authority under the government’s Big Push Program, signals long-term investment in this corridor’s growth. Additionally, the Aflao Market redevelopment project, backed by a ¥200 million Chinese grant (approx. GH¢315.7 million), will further enhance cross-border trade. These and many others that will be discussed in subsequent sub-headlines in this article, makes the Tema-Aflao stretch a strategic trade corridor, boosting real estate investment prospects. Urban Decentralization and Population Spillover As Accra grapples with congestion and rising living costs, satellite communities along the Tema-Aflao stretch are absorbing the overflow. Areas such as Tema Community 25 & 26, Dawhenya, Prampram, Tsopoli, Sege, and Ada are experiencing surging demand for housing. As a result, this corridor over the years has attracted over a dozen institutional gated communities including Adom City Estate, PS Global Estate, Agazy Homes, Emerald Properties, The Greens, Devtraco Estate, TDC Affordable Estate, Nyame Dua Estate, Nestas Homes, HFC Estate, Royale Palm Estate, Noble Estate, ACE Heights, LibiHomes etc. These developments cater to diverse residential needs from social housing, mid-end properties and luxury gated enclaves while individual developers continue to build commercial and mixed-use properties. Interestingly however, despite this growth, demand still remains considerably high, making real estate investment prospects more promising on this stretch than one can ever imagined. Industrial Spillover Effect Accra has quite a good number of industrial enclaves including the Tema Zeetech industrial area, the Appolonia industrial area, Regimanuel industrial area, the Ledzokuku-Krowor light industrial area, the South industrial area, the North industrial area, the Tema Heavy industrial area, the Kpone Kokompe light industrial area, the Dawa industrial zone, the Tema Free Zones Enclave, et cetera. However, research shows that with the exception of the Dawa industrial zone, all these industrial enclaves are nearing capacity with limited space and rising costs of rents and property acquisitions. The Accra-Aflao stretch being well positioned with the availability of its mass and cheap land is now absorbing this overflow from these saturated zones and the interesting thing is that, this transformation is happening at the speed of light figuratively speaking. This has made the real estate investment prospects along the stretch more promising than one can ever imagined. Availability of Affordable Land Compared to central Accra or Tema, land along the Tema-Aflao corridor is significantly more affordable and available in larger parcels. Areas like Lakpleku, Bundase, Saglemi, Tsopoli, Dawa, and Sege offer excellent value for money, ideal for residential estates, industrial parks and mixed-use developments. Our company, the Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd currently holds thousands of parcels of land along the stretch, available for sale to prospective investors seeking strategic entry into this booming corridor. Eco-tourism Impact of Ada and Volta River The Ada and Volta River eco-tourism zone significantly enhances the Tema-Aflao stretch’s real estate investment potential by attracting hospitality, leisure and mixed-use development opportunities. The Volta Estuary and Ada Foah area are emerging as eco-tourism gems in Ghana, offering pristine beaches, riverfront views and cultural heritage that appeal to both domestic and international tourists. This natural allure is driving demand for real estate developments that cater to tourism, recreation and lifestyle living. The Tema-Aflao Highway serves as the main access route to Ada and the Volta Estuary. As tourism grows coupled with international commuters, so does traffic along this corridor, increasing the viability of roadside developments such as; Fuel stations, Convenience stores, Lodging facilities, Logistics hubs for tourism operators et cetera. This has already attracted over 20 major oil marketing companies such as: Goil, Total Energies, Shell, Onyxma, Runel, Top Oil, Star Oil, Puma, and many more, with Goil having (6 stations), Total Energies (2 stations), Shell (2 stations), Onyxma (2 stations), Runel (2 stations), Top Oil (2 stations), Star Oil (1), Puma (1) and many more still under various stages of construction to start. These are just the big and popular OMCs, mention is not made of the new entrants nurturing ambitions to establish on the stretch. On the part of the hospitality sector, big names such as the Aqua Safari has registered its presence on the stretch even though there is still
DRIVING AFRICA’S INFRASTRUCTURE TRANSFORMATION THROUGH INNOVATION AND STRATEGIC STAKEHOLDER PARTNERSHIPS On 29th September 2025, I had the honor of delivering the keynote address at the 3rd African Continental Engineering, Architecture, Construction and Real Estate Summit (ACEACRES 2025), in my capacity as Chief Executive Officer of the Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd and Convenor of ACEACRES 2025. The summit’s theme, though bold and futuristic “Revolutionizing the Built Environment for Sustainable Infrastructure Development through the Use of Disruptive Innovations, Big Data and Quantum Technologies”, centered around a single and powerful concept: infrastructure. This was not a theoretical debate. It was a clarion call to change the African infrastructure narrative and finally position the continent for the socio-economic transformation it desperately needs. Clarifying Our Position Before we delve into the substance of the discussion, let me set the record straight. I am not a Pan-Africanist in the ideological or emotional sense. Likewise, the Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd is not a Pan-African movement. We are not driven by slogans, sentimentality, or historical grievances. Instead, we are a solutions-oriented, professional, and practical organization committed to developing Africa through collaborative innovation, private sector leadership, and strategic partnerships. We believe no nation or continent thrives in isolation. The path forward lies in cooperation, not confrontation. In vision, not victimhood. The Infrastructure Crisis in Africa Let’s speak plainly: Africa lacks basic and strategic infrastructure. From transport networks and power systems to water and sanitation, logistics and digital connectivity, the infrastructure gap is holding the continent back. In fact, the cost of doing business in Africa is significantly higher than in regions like China not because of a lack of opportunity but because of poor foundational systems and basic infrastructure. According to the Africa-Europe Foundation (2025), Africa needs approximately USD $170 billion annually to meet its infrastructure needs. Yet, while urbanization is exploding, infrastructure investment and development are stagnating. The infrastructure deficit is not just a development issue, it’s an economic emergency that deserves urgent attention. The Real Question: Is It Money or Mindset? So, what exactly is Africa lacking; resources or intellectual capital. We believe the answer is a foregone conclusion to all of us. Africa has brilliant minds, visionary entrepreneurs, skilled engineers, and world-class professionals. Across the globe, Africans are innovating in technology, design and development. We do not lack talent. What we lack is political will, leadership vision, and the right structural mechanisms to channel our capital and capabilities into actionable and large-scale infrastructure delivery. Dispelling the Myth of Poverty We’ve heard the narrative too many times: “Africa is poor.” But this is a deeply flawed and frankly outdated narrative. Africa is not poor. Africa is rich in resources, wealthy in human capital, and abundant in investment potential. The problem is not lack of money, but lack of initiative, coordination, and bold leadership. Far too often, we default to dependency, turning to external donors, foreign loans, and development partners to fund projects that could be driven internally by Africa’s own private sector. Let’s be very clear: Africa can fund its own infrastructure development without borrowing a dime from the coffers of any African state or development partners. A New Model: African-Led, Private-Sector Powered We do not subscribe to the intellectually lazy solution of always turning to foreign aid or international loans. Instead, we propose a practical, business-oriented and entirely home-grown model built on five key thematic areas: Policy Leadership – Not Public Spending Africa’s political leaders do not need to fund infrastructure projects with public money. They simply need to create the right policies that make infrastructure a bankable business opportunity. Let’s take one example: a 10-year Pan-African Railway Master Plan, designed and offered as an investment opportunity to the private sector. This would lower intra-African trade costs, improve logistics, attract massive private capital and transform the continent’s economic landscape. Bank-Led Infrastructure Financing; The Consortium Model Africa’s financial sector is robust enough to carry the load. Consider the numbers, for example, the Standard Bank Group – USD $913.93 billion in assets (2025, CompaniesMarketCap.com), the FirstRand Bank – ZAR 2.297 trillion in assets (Fitch, April 2025), the Absa Group – USD $116 billion in assets (2024), the Ecobank International – USD $28.89 billion in assets just to mention a few. A banking consortium formed by these African giants can raise the funds needed for any infrastructure project on the continent, from highways and bridges to smart cities and data centres. Risk Management – Insurance Consortium Approach To de-risk investments and attract serious capital, a continental insurance consortium must be established. Leading African insurers—such as Sanlam Group, Old Mutual, and Enterprise Group et cetera can collaborate to underwrite large-scale infrastructure projects, giving banks and investors the confidence to commit long-term capital into these infrastructure investment projects. Execution Through BOT – Build, Operate, Transfer Infrastructure projects should be developed using the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model; the private sector designs, finances and builds the infrastructure. They operate it for an agreed period to recoup investment and ownership is then transferred back to the government or public entity. This approach promotes efficiency, ensures sustainability and removes the burden from the state. Sustainable Management – Facility Management Consortium To avoid the poor maintenance culture that plagues many African countries, we propose a consortium of African facility management firms to handle operations, maintenance and long-term sustainability. It’s time we moved away from “build and abandon” to build, manage, sustain and scale up. This Is Not a Dream – It Is a Blueprint Ladies and gentlemen, this is not motivational speaking. This is a workable blueprint for Africa’s infrastructure transformation. If implemented, it would spark a revolution not of politics but of purpose. It is my hope that one day I will stand before the African Union General Assembly to present this vision. Until then, it may seem as if the continent is in a state of rest, waiting for an external force to act. But we are the force. We are the catalyst and the time is
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