13/08/2026
HOW DO YOU SPOT AN AREA THAT IS ABOUT TO DEVELOP?
This is one question I get asked a lot.
And last Sunday on the Africa Real Estate Sunday School, we talked about how to identify developing areas early and position yourself before the crowd arrives.
One of the first things I always tell people is:
Don't just look at what is happening in an area today. Look at what is coming.
Before an area becomes developed, there are usually signs.
📌 Look for major infrastructure.
Is the government building a major road, airport, school, hospital, industrial hub or other major project around that location?
When major infrastructure comes in, people follow.
Businesses follow.
Population follows.
And eventually, property values begin to respond.
📌 Watch population movement.
Where are people moving to?
Where are new houses being built?
Where are businesses opening?
Where are people beginning to demand accommodation, schools, shops and other services?
These are signals.
For example, look at what happened around the University of Benin and the communities around it.
As the institution grew, surrounding areas began to experience increased activity, population movement and development.
That is how you should begin to think about real estate.
Don't only ask, “How much is land here today?”
Ask:
“What will this location look like in the next 5–10 years?”
Also, if you're considering land banking, understand this:
Land banking is not a get-rich-quick strategy.
You are positioning yourself for the future.
You should be willing to hold for 5 years or more, depending on the location, development pattern and your investment objective.
The biggest mistake is buying land without understanding why the location will appreciate.
Don't just buy because someone told you, “This place will develop.”
Study the signs.
Watch the infrastructure.
Study population movement.
Study government projects.
Study accessibility.
Then position yourself early.
That is how you stop chasing development and start positioning ahead of it.
And this is exactly what we discuss every Sunday on the Africa Real Estate Sunday School.
I host the session LIVE on Facebook eve