Economy
Are Investors in West Africa Shifting Focus?
With global and regional capital continuing to flow into West African Real Estate, investors are starting to diversify their funds across the region and move away from the previous Nigeria and Ghana bias.
Following from the first market correction seen in 20 years, crippling Central Bank debt and the pegging of the Naira, the reaction to Nigeria’s (in President Buhari’s words) ‘suddenly poor’ status has been fight or flight.
Some, like Novare, Old Mutual, Johnson & Johnson and Pick ‘n Pay sticking to their guns and continuing to make gains, while others, like Sun International, Tiger Brands and Truworths, choosing to take their business elsewhere.
“The Nigerian real estate investment market is experiencing a unique combination of the first economic recession in 25 years, a rapidly devaluing currency and a retail and commercial development boom. This has led to an oversupply of prime real estate at a time when tenant demand has fallen to its lowest levels in over a decade, Broll has been at the forefront in advising, leasing and marketing for a large proportion of international investors and developers. We are actively working with our clients to come up with innovative property leasing solutions by providing tenant concessions while ensuring the long-term financial viability of the asset,” says Broll Nigeria CEO, Bolaji Edu.
“While the present crisis may seem insurmountable, Nigeria’s experience is no more than the growing pains of developing economy as experienced in South America as well as Eastern Europe. Investors are still withholding from Nigeria as they wait for the storm to pass,” argues Edu.
But where are investors going?
In the midst of Nigeria’s struggles, Ghana, is slowly gaining ground again. Along with the IMF’s approval on a further $116.2 million disbursement, there is a positive shift in Ghana due to improvements in power supply, exchange rates and a stabilization in inflation. With a stable growth outlook, business views are at their most favourable levels in years. CEO of AttAfrica, Kevin Teeroovengadum, weighs in:
“Ghana had a tough 2 years spanning over 2014/15 and seem to have to reached the bottom of the cycle during the 1st semester of 2016. With the government having agreed a deal with the IMF in 2015, we’ve seen an improvement in government’s fiscal discipline, stabilisation of the Cedi, availability of dollars and less frequent cuts in power supply. All eyes are now on the presidential elections in December 2016. The general mood of the people on the streets seem to be better than last year which we can see in a rise in foot traffic and trading density at all our malls. A number of retailers are now coming back to request for new opportunities outside Accra and we’ve seen a significant rise in the leasing target of our retail development in Kumasi over the last quarter.”
Francophone nations are also gaining a place in the spotlight. While they have no doubt been developing at a rapid rate for some time, in these times, their relative stability is becoming a significant drawcard for investors in the West African region, who are starting to view West Africa more broadly than just the bright lights of Lagos. In particular, the Ivory Coast is currying some serious favour following their new title as ‘Africa’s fastest growing economy’, and a number of reforms which have resulted in impressive economic growth.
“A return to political stability, sustained infrastructure investment and stable regional currency have made Côte d’Ivoire the darling of international investors and operators among Francophone West African countries. Senegal also continues to attract investment, with smaller, more focused pockets of growth in other countries in the region. Many players are approaching these markets with a strong investment and development mandate. European or South African firms lead the pack, though we are noting growing interest from Ghanaian and Nigerian firms and investors. Côte d’Ivoire remains a frontier market, with opportunities across all asset classes as well as specific challenges: lack of transparency and low levels of local expertise are among these, but can be overcome by new entrants through in-depth knowledge of the local market,” explains Ivan Cornet, Managing Partner of Latitude Five.
This year’s West African Property Investment Summit (WAPI) aims to equip investors and other stakeholders with the necessary information and insight from top speakers and industry leaders, in order to encourage a fruitful way forward.
Beyond the possible success of starting afresh in new territory, investors also have the opportunity to learn from past experience. There are plenty of resources detailing how to navigate deals in countries like Senegal and Ivory Coast; investors also need to be prepared to do the hard work of understanding these new spaces. On the ground market research, understanding of consumer patterns as well as socio-political concerns all form part of doing effective due diligence.
From discussions around the shift in investor focus, the rapidly evolving retail sector, to navigating through negative economic climates in Nigeria and Ghana, the discussions at WAPI position stakeholders in the eye of the West African storm, with the necessary tools to help them weather it.
Top West African deals to watch
Despite the shifts in the West African real estate environment, the region is still seeing some big bill deals. Kfir Rusin, General Manager of API events breaks down the biggest investments.
Old Mutual Investment Group and the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority raise US$500 million towards a Nigerian real estate fund
RMB Westport launches $250 Million Fund for Nigeria, Ghana, Angola and the Ivory Coast
Actis raises over $500m for new African real estate fund
Novare Africa Property Fund II announced its final close at the end of June 2016, having raised $350 million for investment.
Eris Property Group unveil plans for Agbara Industrial Estate in Lagos Nigeria
West Africa’s largest mixed-use development, The Exchange” project at Airport City in Accra launched be Mabani Holdings Ghana Limited, in partnership with Actis LLP
Novare’s $82.8m 22,000m2 Lekki mall began trading at the end of August 2016
RMB Westport’s 10,800m2 Circle Mall began trading at the end of 2015
Churchgate launch 20,000m2 World Trade Centre in Abuja
CFAO and Carrefour open the Playce Marcory Mall, Ivory Coast, in December 2015
Carlson Rezidor adds Ghana to its growing portfolio with the introduction of the Radisson Blu Hotel Accra Airport, The Exchange with 207 keys.
Hilton Worldwide announced its plans to open a 350 guestroom and suite hotel at the Lagos Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Nigeria.
EVENT INFORMATION AND CONTEXT
The West African Property Summit (WAPI) takes place in Accra, Ghana on 16 – 17 November. This two-day conference will be a deep dive into issues affecting the West African real estate market, and a start for discussion and solutions building. The summit tackles discussions around development, private equity, finance and economics, with insights from some of the best minds in real estate investment today.
In addition to the experts in this release, speakers for the summit also include:
Kojo Addo-Kufuor
Managing Director, Ghana Home Loans
Funke Okubadejo
Director: Real Estate, Actis Real Estate
Jan Van Zyl
Head of Property Development, Novare
Kofi Asomaning
Managing Director, Capri Investments
Cheick Sanankoua
Managing Partner, HC Capital
Lasse Ristolainen
Development Director: Sub-Saharan Africa, Hilton
By Adedapo Adesanya
Oil was up by nearly 3 per cent on Tuesday as persistent worries about supply constraints from the closed Strait of Hormuz continued, with Brent futures for June rising by $3.03 or 2.8 per cent to $111.26 a barrel, and the US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures growing by $3.56 or 3.7 per cent to $99.93 a barrel.
An earlier round of negotiations between the United States and Iran collapsed last week after face-to-face talks failed.
Ship-tracking data showed significant disruptions in the region, with six Iranian oil tankers forced to turn back due to the US blockade, but some traffic is still moving.
Prices trimmed some of the advances after the United Arab Emirates (UAE), the fourth-largest producer in the Organisation of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), said on Tuesday it would exit the group on this Friday, May 1, 2026.
This dealt a blow to the oil-exporting group and its de facto leader, Saudi Arabia.
The UAE could quickly add between 1 million and 1.5 million barrels per day of output. However, with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed, analysts said that there’s nowhere for that supply to go.
The UAE joined OPEC in 1967, but tension with Saudi Arabia over production quotas has been building for years.
Under the OPEC+ deal, the country has been held to roughly 3 million barrels per day while sitting on capacity above 4 million. It has been pushing toward 5 million barrels per day by 2027, and that target is hard to achieve with quotas built around someone else’s view of the market.
The war in Yemen broke whatever was left of diplomatic patience.
President Donald Trump said he was unhappy with the latest Iranian proposal to end the war. The proposal would avoid addressing the nuclear programme until hostilities cease and Gulf shipping disputes are resolved.
The Idemitsu Maru, a Panama-flagged tanker carrying 2 million barrels of Saudi oil, and an LNG tanker managed by the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) crossed the Strait on Tuesday, shipping data showed.
Vortexa data showed that the amount of crude oil held around the world on tankers that have been stationary for at least seven days rose to 153.11 million barrels as of April 24.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) estimated that crude oil inventories in the United States fell by 1.79 million barrels in the week ending April 24. The official data from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) will be released later on Wednesday.
By Dipo Olowookere
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) Limited returned to winning ways on Tuesday after it closed higher by 2.30 per cent amid cautious trading.
Yesterday, investor sentiment at the Nigerian stock market was weak after finishing with 37 price gainers and 40 price losers, indicating a negative market breadth index.
It was observed that the industrial goods sector rose by 4.86 per cent, the energy index appreciated by 4.66 per cent, and the consumer goods segment soared by 2.74 per cent. They offset the 1.38 per cent loss recorded by the banking counter and the 0.20 per cent decline printed by the insurance sector.
At the close of business, the All-Share Index (ASI) was up by 5,137.90 points to 228,740.19 points from 223,602.29 points, and the market capitalisation went up by N3.308 trillion to N147.278 trillion from N143.970 trillion.
The trio of FTN Cocoa, Industrial and Medical Gases, and Lafarge Africa gained 10.00 per cent each to sell for N5.50, N39.60, and N324.50, respectively, while Austin Laz grew by 9.71 per cent to N3.73, and Aradel Holdings jumped 9.52 per cent to N1,840.00.
On the flip side, UBA lost 10.00 per cent trade at N44.55, Trans-Nationwide Express slipped by 9.99 per cent to N6.40, NASCON crashed by 9.18 per cent to N187.90, Jaiz Bank depreciated by 8.93 per cent to N8.01, and Berger Paints crumbled by 8.66 per cent to N68.00.
Yesterday, market participants traded 908.0 million equities valued at N68.2 billion in 72,886 deals compared with the 678.2 million equities worth N44.1 billion transacted in 82,838 deals on Monday, showing a drop in the number of deals by 12.01 per cent, and a spike in the trading volume and value by 33.88 per cent and 54.65 per cent, respectively.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Nigeria’s oil production recorded a five-year high of 1.71 million barrels per day, marking a significant rebound for the country’s upstream sector amid renewed efforts to restore output and improve operational stability.
The latest figure, released by Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, covers the period from April 2025 to April 2026 and underscores a steady recovery in crude production after years of disruptions caused by theft, pipeline vandalism and underinvestment.
According to the chief executive of the national oil company, Mr Bayo Ojulari, the performance reflects measurable progress across the company’s upstream, gas and downstream operations, with production gains supported by improved asset management and stronger field performance.
Within its exploration and production business, NNPC recorded a peak daily output of 365,000 barrels in December 2025, the highest level ever achieved by its upstream subsidiary. The company also advanced key contractual reforms, including revised production-sharing terms for deepwater assets aimed at unlocking additional gas reserves.
Nigeria’s gas ambitions are also gaining traction. Gas supply rose to 7.5 billion standard cubic feet per day in 2025, driven by major infrastructure milestones such as the River Niger crossing on the Ajaokuta-Kaduna-Kano pipeline and the commissioning of the Assa North-Ohaji South gas processing plant.
These investments are beginning to strengthen domestic gas utilisation. New supply agreements with major industrial consumers, including Dangote Refinery, Dangote Fertiliser and Dangote Cement, are expected to deepen gas penetration across manufacturing and power generation.
On the downstream front, NNPC has continued crude supply to Dangote Refinery under the crude-for-naira arrangement, a policy designed to reduce foreign exchange demand, support local refining and improve fuel market stability. The company also reaffirmed its 7.25 per cent equity stake in the refinery as part of its long-term energy security strategy.
Financially, the national oil company said it has resumed full monthly remittances to the Federation Account since July 2025. It has also reinstated regular performance reporting and held its first earnings call, moves widely seen as part of a broader push towards greater transparency and corporate accountability.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. Crude theft, pipeline outages and infrastructure bottlenecks continue to threaten production stability. Sustaining this recovery will depend on stronger security, reliable infrastructure and policy consistency as Nigeria seeks to maximise the benefits of rising domestic refining capacity.
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