Nigerian Investors Gain Access to East African Real Estate Markets Through Strategic Partnership

The African real estate investment landscape is witnessing a significant transformation as cross-border collaboration replaces traditional geographical limitations. Dewale Consulting, a prominent property consultancy and advisory firm operating across the African continent, has unveiled an ambitious initiative designed to bridge Nigerian investors with lucrative real estate opportunities in East Africa, particularly within Kenya’s thriving property market.

The initiative, strategically branded as “Gateway to East Africa,” represents more than a conventional investment platform. It embodies a Pan-African vision where wealth creation transcends national borders, enabling investors who earn in strong currencies like the U.S. dollar to diversify their portfolios across some of the continent’s most dynamic and stable economies.

A New Era of Pan-African Investment Collaboration

During a recent gathering in Lagos, Adewale Ajibade, Chief Executive Officer at Dewale Consulting, articulated the fundamental philosophy driving this initiative. “The intent of this gathering is not to conduct a sales presentation; rather, it serves as a platform for a meaningful dialogue on how you may diversify your investment portfolio, earn in U.S. dollars, and secure a stake in one of Africa’s most dynamic economies,” Ajibade emphasized to an audience of potential investors and industry stakeholders.

The timing of this initiative is particularly significant given the current economic climate in Nigeria, where investors are increasingly seeking opportunities to hedge against local currency volatility and inflation pressures. The Gateway to East Africa platform offers a strategic solution by providing access to markets where property values are denominated in more stable currencies and where economic fundamentals remain robust.

Ajibade’s vision extends beyond simple property transactions. According to statements released during the event, he addressed partners from across Africa, saying: “This year, we are proud to announce our partnership with MVAL Properties of Kenya, one of Nairobi’s most reputable developers. This collaboration seeks to introduce a select group of Nigerian investors to exceptional opportunities within East Africa’s most stable and rewarding property market.”

The Shifting Narrative of African Wealth Creation

The concept of Pan-African investment is gaining momentum as investors recognize that economic growth on the continent is no longer confined to traditional commercial hubs. “The narrative of wealth across the African continent is experiencing a transformative shift, one that emphasizes collaboration rather than geographical boundaries,” Ajibade noted. “As African investors, we are recognizing that the forthcoming chapters of growth are unfolding in our immediate surroundings.”

This perspective aligns with broader trends in African economic integration, where the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other regional initiatives are breaking down barriers to cross-border commerce and investment. The real estate sector, traditionally one of the most localized investment categories, is now experiencing increased international capital flows within the continent.

The partnership between Dewale Consulting and MVAL Properties represents a concrete manifestation of this trend. By combining Nigerian investor capital with Kenyan development expertise, the initiative creates a win-win scenario that channels resources to markets offering superior risk-adjusted returns while fostering economic cooperation across regional boundaries.

Kenya: East Africa’s Real Estate Investment Destination

Stephen Mochiru, Managing Director of M-VAL Limited, provided comprehensive insights into why Kenya stands out as a premier destination for real estate investment in East Africa. Speaking to media representatives at the Lagos event, Mochiru explained: “We are here to showcase real estate opportunities in Nairobi. The theme of the event is Gateway to East Africa. Dewale Consulting has brought this together to encourage a Pan-African dream of Africans investing in Africa, particularly in real estate.”

Kenya’s appeal as an investment destination rests on several foundational pillars. “Kenya is a very stable economy, both politically and in terms of the economy,” Mochiru emphasized. “When you invest in Kenya, you will get stable returns. Therefore, one of the things we are offering, and hope to convince investors in Nigeria, is the stability of investment in Kenyan real estate.”

This stability claim is supported by concrete economic data. Kenya has maintained a relatively consistent GDP growth trajectory over the past decade, with its economy demonstrating resilience even during global economic disruptions. The country’s position as East Africa’s largest economy provides it with diversified economic foundations that extend beyond any single sector.

Furthermore, Kenya’s real estate market benefits from robust legal frameworks for property ownership, transparent registration systems, and an increasingly sophisticated financial sector that supports property transactions. Foreign investors, including those from other African nations, can acquire property with relative ease compared to many other markets on the continent.

The Nairobi Property Market: Opportunities and Dynamics

Nairobi, Kenya’s capital and commercial center, represents the focal point of this investment initiative. The city has experienced substantial urban growth over recent years, driven by a expanding middle class, increasing urbanization rates, and the establishment of regional headquarters for numerous multinational corporations and international organizations.

The Nairobi property market encompasses diverse segments, from residential apartments and townhouses to commercial office spaces and retail properties. Each segment offers distinct risk-return profiles, enabling investors to tailor their portfolios according to their investment objectives and risk tolerance.

MVAL Properties, Dewale Consulting’s Kenyan partner, has established a reputation for developing quality properties that meet international standards while remaining accessible to the growing East African middle class. The company’s track record in delivering completed projects on schedule and maintaining transparent dealings with investors has positioned it as a trusted developer within Nairobi’s competitive real estate landscape.

For Nigerian investors accustomed to the dynamics of Lagos or Abuja property markets, Nairobi presents both familiar opportunities and unique advantages. While both markets experience strong demographic-driven demand, Kenya’s relatively lower inflation rates and the Kenyan shilling’s stability compared to the naira offer additional security for investment capital.

Dollar-Denominated Returns: A Key Attraction

One of the most compelling aspects of the Gateway to East Africa initiative is its emphasis on dollar-denominated investment returns. For Nigerian investors who earn income in U.S. dollars—whether through international business operations, remittances, or dollar-denominated investments—the ability to deploy and grow this capital in markets where returns are also calculated in dollars represents a significant advantage.

The Nigerian foreign exchange environment has experienced considerable volatility in recent years, with multiple exchange rate regimes and periodic devaluations affecting the real returns of naira-denominated investments. By contrast, investing in markets where both capital appreciation and rental yields are tied to more stable currencies helps preserve the purchasing power of investment returns.

Kenya’s real estate market, particularly in prime Nairobi locations, increasingly prices properties in U.S. dollars or ties rental agreements to dollar valuations. This practice, common in many East African markets, provides natural currency hedging for international investors and protects returns from local currency depreciation.

Expert Perspectives on Kenyan Real Estate Yields

Bukola Awosika, Managing Partner at Condos Beyond Borders and a Lagos event speaker, brought a particularly valuable perspective to the discussion. Having lived in Kenya for two decades, Awosika offers firsthand experience of the market’s evolution and performance characteristics.

“The Kenyan real estate industry is a very lucrative one and the country is very much an investment destination,” Awosika stated emphatically. “The weather is beautiful, and the economy is pretty much stable. I live in Kenya, and I have lived there for the past 20 years. The yields from the investment are a lot, it is very high. It’s very attractive, and I want to encourage investors to take up this opportunity in Kenya.”

Awosika’s testimony carries particular weight given her dual perspective as both a Nigerian investor and a Kenya resident with extensive market experience. Her comments about investment yields reflect a broader reality in the Kenyan property market, where well-located residential properties can generate rental yields ranging from 5% to 8% annually, with potential for capital appreciation adding to total returns.

These yield levels compare favorably with many other global real estate markets, particularly when adjusted for risk. Moreover, the relatively lower entry price points for quality properties in Nairobi compared to equivalent properties in Lagos or other major African cities means that Nigerian investors can potentially acquire larger or more diverse portfolios with the same capital outlay.

Broader Context: African Real Estate Investment Trends

The Gateway to East Africa initiative emerges within a broader context of evolving African real estate investment patterns. Across the continent, investors are increasingly looking beyond their home markets to identify opportunities offering superior returns, greater stability, or beneficial diversification characteristics.

This trend reflects several converging factors. First, improved transportation links and digital connectivity have made cross-border investment more practical and manageable. Investors can now monitor their properties, communicate with property managers, and execute transactions remotely with greater ease than ever before.

Second, the maturation of real estate markets in countries like Kenya has created more sophisticated investment infrastructure, including professional property management firms, reliable valuation services, and transparent transaction processes. These developments reduce the information asymmetries and operational challenges that historically deterred cross-border property investment within Africa.

Third, economic pressures in some African markets—including currency depreciation, inflation, and policy uncertainty—have motivated investors to seek geographic diversification within the continent. Rather than moving capital to European or North American markets, many African investors now prefer keeping their resources within Africa while still achieving diversification benefits.

Navigating Investment Considerations and Due Diligence

While the opportunities presented through the Gateway to East Africa platform are substantial, prudent investors must still conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital. Several key considerations warrant careful evaluation.

First, understanding the legal framework for foreign property ownership in Kenya is essential. While Kenya generally welcomes foreign investment, certain restrictions apply to specific property types or locations. Working with qualified legal advisors familiar with Kenyan property law helps ensure compliance and protects ownership rights.

Second, tax implications deserve careful attention. Both Kenyan tax obligations on rental income and capital gains, as well as potential tax consequences in Nigeria, should be thoroughly understood before investment. Professional tax advice from practitioners familiar with cross-border African investments is invaluable in structuring investments tax-efficiently.

Third, practical management considerations—including property maintenance, tenant relations, and rent collection—require reliable local partners. The quality of property management can significantly impact net returns, making the selection of competent management partners crucial to investment success.

Fourth, understanding market dynamics, including supply and demand trends in specific Nairobi neighborhoods, rental market conditions, and infrastructure development plans, helps investors identify properties with the strongest appreciation potential. Local market expertise, such as that provided by MVAL Properties and similar established developers, proves invaluable in this regard.

The Role of Strategic Partnerships in Cross-Border Investment

The collaboration model exemplified by Dewale Consulting’s partnership with MVAL Properties highlights the importance of strategic partnerships in facilitating successful cross-border investment. By combining Nigerian investor capital with Kenyan market expertise, development experience, and local networks, such partnerships mitigate many of the challenges that individual investors might face when entering unfamiliar markets.

These partnerships provide multiple value-adding functions. They offer market intelligence and opportunity identification, helping investors focus on properties with strong fundamentals. They facilitate due diligence processes, leveraging local knowledge to verify property titles, assess construction quality, and evaluate neighborhood dynamics. They provide ongoing property management, ensuring that investments are properly maintained and rental income is efficiently collected and remitted.

Moreover, established partnerships can negotiate more favorable terms with developers, given their ability to direct significant investor capital toward projects. This can result in preferential pricing, payment terms, or access to prime units within developments.

Looking Ahead: The Future of Pan-African Real Estate Investment

The Gateway to East Africa initiative represents more than an isolated investment opportunity—it signals a broader evolution in how African investors approach wealth creation and preservation across the continent. As economic integration deepens through mechanisms like the AfCFTA, and as African economies continue their diverse growth trajectories, cross-border investment within the continent is likely to accelerate.

Real estate, given its tangible nature and potential for generating both income and appreciation, will likely remain a preferred asset class for such investment flows. Initiatives that reduce friction in cross-border property investment—whether through partnership structures, improved legal frameworks, or enhanced market information—will play crucial roles in channeling capital to its most productive uses across Africa.

For Nigerian investors specifically, the ability to diversify beyond their home market while remaining within Africa offers compelling benefits. It allows them to participate in growth stories across multiple economies, hedge against country-specific risks, and potentially achieve superior risk-adjusted returns compared to concentrating investments in a single market.

The success of initiatives like Gateway to East Africa will ultimately depend on delivering positive investor experiences—transparent processes, properties that perform as promised, and efficient management of investor relations across borders. If Dewale Consulting and its partners can consistently deliver on these fronts, they will likely establish a model that others will seek to replicate, further accelerating the Pan-African investment vision that motivates this initiative.

As African investors increasingly recognize that the continent’s next growth chapters are indeed “unfolding in our immediate surroundings,” as Adewale Ajibade noted, the barriers between African markets will continue to diminish, replaced by networks of collaboration that channel capital toward opportunity regardless of national boundaries. The Gateway to East Africa represents one concrete step toward realizing this vision within the real estate sector, with potentially significant implications for both Nigerian investors seeking returns and Kenyan developers seeking capital.