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 - AFRICA CONTINENTAL ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION NETWORK

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 former president of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency, J. H Kuffour just to site one example.  There are also several unconfirmed reports of soccer celebrities, some politicians and businessmen owning properties on the Aburi Hills. All these attractions came as a result of its appealing environment. 

Eco-Tourism and Wellness Attraction

Aburi’s botanical gardens and wellness resorts align with global trends favoring nature-based living and tourism, enhancing long-term value; this together with the state owned Peduase Presidential Lodge serving as a pull factor to several similar investments on the Hills such as the Peduase Valley Resort et cetera. Strategic investments in utilities, schools and healthcare facilities are accelerating development, signaling long-term stability and investment prospects.

Key Investment Opportunities

The mass spillover from Madina, Adenta etc on to the stretch and that of the drift of the affluent from Accra into the Aburi Hills has triggered a growing demand for real estate and a wide range of business investment opportunities. Below is a few worth the attention of readers.

Real Estate Investment Opportunities

As stated earlier, this stretch is already developed and has no room for social housing. It is a prime location for mid-end residential development whilst the Aburi Hills is prime for luxury homes for the affluent, retirees and high net worth individuals from the Diaspora community. It is also important to draw attention to the high student accommodation demand along the stretch from the University of Professional Studies and University of Ghana. The prospect for land banking investment, student accommodation, mix-use development is also high as demand continues to surge. 

General Commercial Investment Opportunities

Investment opportunities such as retail shops, malls, hotels, AirBnB, education and health facilities are promising. The corridor now presents the opportunity for mixed-use projects that diversify income streams. The presence of Atlantic Mall, Legon City Mall etc on the stretch is a practical example of the retail shopping investment opportunities. Many Hotels, hospitals, mix-use developments have sprung up on the stretch and some others on the Aburi Hills itself, tapping into the investment prospects in the area.

Apart from this, the stretch is also known as a popular route for health and wellness walks for both corporate institutions and individuals, mostly on weekends and public holidays. This regular activity also adds up to the booming economic activities and the general business prospects of the stretch.

Critical Challenges at the Hill top to Anticipate 

Even though the Aburi Hills is a prime location attracting affluent individuals making its investment prospect more promising, there are a few critical challenges worth bringing to the attention of prospective investors. These include but not limited to the following: utility gaps, land topography challenges, transport challenges et cetera.

Utility gaps: There are significant utility gaps in some portions of the Hill top, non-availability of electricity, water connectivity challenges and access roads are a major challenge. Sometimes, individuals may have to pay extra to extend service lines to their properties on the Hill top and other locations that are far from the N4 highway along the stretch.

Land Topography: The hilly nature comes with an uneven topography and may require cutting and leveling to be able to have a level ground for the development. The cost of doing this can sometimes come with a significant development cost. Also, in some areas, retaining walls or terraces will have to be built as erosion control measures in order to enjoy full utility of the property.

Transport Challenges: As mentioned earlier, the land topography has made development in some portions on the Hill quite expensive. It affects the transportation of building materials to some portions of the Hill, transporting sand, cement and water for construction purposes to some parts of the Hill top becomes a challenge. 

Seismic Risk on the Aburi Hills: Investors and developers are hereby cautioned that the Aburi Hills area lies within the Akuapem Fault Zone, a recognized geological fault line with potential susceptibility to ground movement and slope instability. While the locality continues to attract premium residential and commercial real estate investments due to its scenic elevation and proximity to Accra, it is essential that comprehensive geotechnical, structural and environmental assessments be undertaken prior to any land acquisition or construction activity.

Prospective investors are strongly encouraged to engage qualified geotechnical and structural engineers to evaluate site conditions and ensure that all developments adhere to appropriate safety, design, and building code standards. This precaution is vital to safeguarding both investments and occupant safety over the long term.

But the good news however is that these few anticipated challenges may be taken care of by the government through the local Assembly with time as development expands except the fault zone risk, but until then the following will remain a challenge in some portions on the Hilltop prospective investors should keep in mind in taking any investment decision in this prestigious location.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Accra-Aburi corridor is no longer just a scenic escape. It’s a strategic investment frontier. Whether you’re targeting short-term rental income, long-term appreciation, or lifestyle-driven development, this corridor offers unmatched versatility and growth potential.

But before we part, do note that information provided in this article or any article by this writer are the opinions or views of the writer for general informational purposes, and does not constitute professional or legal advice. Readers are therefore advised to consult certified professionals/consultants before making any legally binding decision or making any commitment that has financial implications. Stay tuned for part-5.

References

• Ghana Statistical Service. (2021). 2021 Population and Housing Census: Summary Report of Final Results. https://www.statsghana.gov.gh
• Ministry of Roads and Highways. (2023). Annual Infrastructure Development Report. Government of Ghana. https://www.mrh.gov.gh
• Ghana Investment Promotion Centre. (2022). Real Estate Sector Profile. https://www.gipc.gov.gh
• Asiedu, K. (2023, August 15). Real estate boom along Accra-Aburi stretch driven by infrastructure upgrades. Daily Graphic. https://www.graphic.com.gh
• Knight Frank Ghana. (2024). Ghana Property Market Outlook 2024. https://www.knightfrank.com.gh
• World Bank. (2022). Ghana Urbanization Review: Managing Spatial Growth for Sustainable Development. https://www.worldbank.org
• Mensah, E. (2023). Diaspora investment trends in Ghana’s real estate sector. African Journal of Real Estate and Urban Studies, 5(2), 45–62.
• Ghana Tourism Authority. (2023). Eco-tourism and Wellness Destinations in Ghana. https://www.visitghana.com
• Lamudi Ghana. (2024). Top Emerging Neighborhoods in Greater Accra. https://www.lamudi.com.gh
• Oxford Business Group. (2023). Ghana 2023: Real Estate and Construction Overview. https://oxfordbusinessgroup.com
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About Author

Daniel Kontie is a young enthusiastic Ghanaian entrepreneur, the Executive Chairman of the Africa Infrastructure Group; the Group comprises the Africa Continental Engineering & Construction Network Ltd, the Falcon 48 Developers, the Africa Infrastructure Energy Ltd and the Africa Land Banking Investment Ltd. All these are infant establishments disrupting the conventional way of brand building across the globe. Daniel is a columnist, a writer and a member of the Built Environment Writers Association of Ghana. He can be contacted via the contacts: +233209032280 / +233209032280. Email Address: d.kontie@acecnltd.com. Website: https://www.acecnltd.com/