March 19, 2026
1 min
The question comes up often: is it better to rent or buy a home in West Africa? The answer depends on your situation, but here are the key elements to consider.
Why renting can be wise
If you work across multiple countries or your professional situation is likely to change, renting offers valuable flexibility. Acquisition costs (transfer taxes, notary fees) often represent 10–15% of the property price, a cost that needs to be recovered over time.
Why buying remains a solid goal
In most West African markets, property values have grown 6–12% per year on average over the last decade. Buying is therefore both shelter and investment. Mortgage rates vary between 7 and 12% depending on the country and bank, which requires serious simulation.
Our recommendation: use the Imonga simulator to calculate your rent-versus-buy break-even point based on your expected length of stay.
Read next
The viewing checklist: what to check before you rent or buy
Structure, damp, utilities, neighbourhood, documents: what to check during a viewing so you can decide with confidence.
Diaspora: how to finance your property purchase in Africa
Savings, diaspora loans, FX and transfers: concrete levers to finance a property from abroad.
Understanding co-ownership and charges before you buy
Shared areas, charges, manager, meetings, works: how co-ownership works and what to check before buying an apartment.
Negotiating the price of a property: the method
Prepare, find the right arguments, handle the exchange: how to negotiate a property's price without putting anyone off or overpaying.
From reading to searching
The advice above is worth most when applied to a specific property. 126 listings are online, viewable without an account.