THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
Owning a house in their home countries is a common investment diaspora Africans have to make. They do so for a variety of reasons. Building a home at home is like building a future at home as many migrants would like to spend life after retirement in their countries of origin. Some also build to provide a home for ageing parents and a place to stay when they visit. For many, a property at home could be a form of investment from which they derive regular income.
Even if the reasons for property ownership at home are economic or social, there is also an emotional aspect of it. For there is an incredible feeling of fulfilment when an African who left his homeland to seek better life abroad, acquires a building at home. It is a self-assuring evidence that all the efforts and pains of migration have not been in vain. It is also a physical evidence – to the family and friends – that the sojourn abroad has borne fruits.
Dr Peter Agwi, Managing Director, APO Consulting GmbH, in an exclusive interview with The African Courier, talks about how and why Nigerians should acquire landed properties in their homeland. The architect and town planner also explains how his Berlin-based company, which represents one of Nigeria’s largest estate development and marketing companies PWAN Group Ltd in Germany, assists diaspora Nigerians to invest at home, among other issues.
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The African Courier: Could you please introduce your company to our readers?
Dr Peter Agwi: Our mother company is PWAN Group which is an acronym for Property World Africa Network. It is a conglomerate of 63 affiliate companies, with more than 560 estates in major cities in 30 states in Nigeria.
Our story started with PWAN Homes Limited, founded by Dr Augustine and Dr (Mrs) Jane Onwumere in 2012, that has now evolved into a choice real estate developing and marketing company with a reputation for integrity, responsibility and service excellence.
What is the vision of the company?
To make home ownership dream a reality to as many people as possible. This we do by looking for land in fast developing areas and making these known to the investing public.
Is your company registered with the relevant regulatory bodies in Nigeria?
Yes, it’s registered with CAC and other regulatory bodies in Nigeria
What are some of the notable projects your company has completed?
While provision of land and management of serviced plots estates are our focus, we are also into provision of completed buildings in some of our estates in Lagos, Asaba and Abuja. One of our most prominent projects is the Cedarwood Luxury Apartments in Lekki, Lagos.
What types of landed properties do you offer, and where are they located?
We offer affordable plots of land and houses with good title papers. Plots of land range from 600,000 Naira per plot depending on the city and location. Our estates are located in the major cities in Nigeria, such as Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan, Akure, Otta, Abeokuta, Benin City, Warri, Sapele, Ughelli, Port Harcourt, Yenagoa, Asaba, Ibusa, Okpanam, Ogwasikwu, Agbor, Onitsha, Awka, Owerri, Enugu, Abakaliki, Uyo, Calabar, Ilorin, Jalingo, Jos, Kano etc. As of today, we have altogether 560 estates in Nigeria and counting.
What infrastructure and amenities are included in your estate developments?
Our estates are thoughtfully designed to include modern amenities such as a perimeter fence, a secure main gatehouse, tarred roads, an efficient drainage system, reliable power supply, piped water, Wi-Fi connectivity, comprehensive waste management, and 24-hour security, ensuring a safe and comfortable living environment.
What are the benefits for diaspora Nigerians in buying properties from your company?
Buying of land and buildings has been a challenge for the diaspora due to the problems a supposedly trusted relatives disappointing. This is why PWAN is offering a One-Stop-Shop solution. We have an office in Berlin. Hence, all transactions can be implemented and monitored from our office in Berlin. Property documents and site visits can be arranged for individuals who will be going home for visits or in the alternative their relatives or representatives in Nigeria can carry out the inspection on their behalf. Our processes are transparent and fraud-proof.
What is the process for purchasing property from abroad? How do you ensure the transaction is secure?
Real estate business has to do with trust. PWAN, with more than 12 years’ experience and as one of the biggest real estate companies in Nigeria, has her brand reputation to defend and maintain and all their agents undergo training to help to maintain the core standard in every location of operation, including in the diaspora.
As per purchasing property in the diaspora, distance is not a barrier as technology has made it possible for our clients to see the property live or through representatives. Subscriptions and transaction processes are transparent with proper documentation.
And with consultations with PWAN local agents PBO/officials, you have a face and office where a buyer can get proper answers to any questions that may arise. All financial dealings are only through bank transfer and accordingly receipted, with all necessary documents issued.
What payment plans or financing options are available for international buyers?
We offer 3 standard methods of payment (Land):
- Outright payment (within 3 months without interest)
- 6 months of instalments (with interest, about 5-10%)
- 12 months of instalments (with interest, about 5-10%)
How do you handle the documentation and transfer of ownership for buyers based abroad?
Depending on the buyers, documents could be delivered directly to the diaspora or to their lawyers, surveyors or relatives at home.
Do you deliver your property with Certificates of Occupancy or what ownership documentations do you give your clients?
Depending on the current title of the land, upon completion of payment we deliver the following:
- Original receipts of all your payments
- Contract of sales (Covering the transfer of title and interest of the land to the buyer)
- Allocation papers of the plots of land
- Land surveying plan
- Estate management contract (this comes later after the development of the estate)
What post-purchase services do you offer?
We provide after sale services, such as property management, land maintenance or development assistance, because our commitment to client satisfaction extends beyond the transaction. For example, we help to keep the purchased plots cleared and beautified and as professionals we offer extra services of property development which may include architectural design, building, handover of completed building and management of the building or mini-estate.
PWAN Berlin Centre, for example, provides dedicated after sales support to address any concerns or issues that may arise post-purchase. Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition and continued satisfaction of our clients in the diaspora.
How has your experience been with Nigerian customers in the diaspora?
For the past year and now we have a successful business with many of our clients in the diaspora. Many in the diaspora are interested in land banking and building up their retirement plan through procurement of many plots of land and we also deal with Nigerian organisations in the diaspora who join together to create mini-estates of up to 60-100 plots for their members within PWAN estates.
What is the guarantee that your customers who make down payments for houses or land will actually get them?
Like I mentioned earlier, we sell trust and most of our clients are referred to us by clients who are satisfied with our products and services. So, we guarantee 100% delivery.
Could you introduce Dr Peter Agwi to our readers?
My name is Peter Agwi, a Nigerian, architect and town planner with more than 25 years of experience in the real estate industry. Based in Berlin, Germany, I am an active member of the Nigerian community, having served as vice president (2003 – 2006) and president (2006 – 2011) of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany. I am the Managing Director of APO Consulting GmbH, a real estate company in Berlin, and the Team Manager at PWAN Group Berlin Centre.
What is your message to Nigerians in Europe who are aspiring to own a home at home?
We are expanding and intend to open offices in other major cities in Germany and therefore open to partnering with individuals and companies.
If you a Nigerian in Europe and interested to own a house or have a retirement plan through real estate investment, you do not need to look further as we guarantee you 100% of advising and guiding you to making the right decision by picking the right properties within our more than 560 estates all over Nigeria. In which location to buy is your choice.
And we do not stop there, as we are there to guide and assist you through our sister companies Podion Investment Limited (Nigeria) and APO Consulting GmbH (Germany) in management of your properties including architectural design, building and hand over of completed buildings. All our processes are transparent as you will be updated regularly. In case you want to rent out your properties we will be there to manage them for you.
In case you are interested in real estate development, talk to us as we can source for you the right estate within PWAN estates, plan, design and develop the min-estate for you or your diaspora communities.
You can reach usat https://shop.apoconsulting.biz/, info@pwanberlincentre.de, WhatsApp: +49 176 458 73 448. Thank you.
