Relocating to Ile Yoruba and other Africa 3: Top 10 Tips

Relocation Tips

1.Culture – Try to find a cultural society for the area that you are considering relocation to. Regular attendance at meetings and events should give you a flavour of foods, fashions, etc. Read widely from the local and national newspapers. Be prepared to be treated as a 'foreigner'. You are advised to keep negative opinions on culture, religion, or language to yourself.

2.Accommodation – You should visit the country for a stay of at least six months in order to explore the community and experience potential property in reas of interest. In short visits, stay in self – contained rental property in order to assess the dynamics of the property markets.

3.Property – Generally, buying may be better than renting. Property markets are dynamic and many transactions are settled in cash, although mortgages are becoming more available. Estate agents will be able to advise on local markets, schools, amenities and business opportunities. Have a lawyer secure and register your certificate of ownership (equivalent to UK freehold) or review rental agreemenrs. Expect to pay 1 year rental deposit and 1 year rent in advance. Negotiate payments in local currency, so as to reduce your foreign exchange risk.

4.Transport – You should plan for a budget car, preferably of Asian make as they tend to be more durable and less expensive to run in spare parts and servicing costs than European models. American models do not generally do well. 4x4 vehicles suffer very heavy consumption of fuel and spare parts on Africa's uneven roads. Diesel fuel may be scarcer than petrol, but can be used with your diesel generator. Some markets, e.g Nigeria, ban importation of cars that are older than 10 years. It may be less troublesome to buy imported cars locally. Original spare parts are often available from authorised dealers at European price levels.

5.Utilities – You should plan for a small diesel generator, unless you are technically able to install renewable energy sources (a strong business opportunity). Plan to install electric water pump and storage tanks. It is safer and less obstrusive to install tanks underground. You will need electric surge stabilisers and uninterruptible power supply units on your electronic equipment.

6.Freight – Try to avoid freight costs on shipping heavy, disposable or fragile personal effects halfway across the world. Rental properties will usually be unfurnished, but it may be worthwhile to patiently visit local craft shops to source for original items in furniture, crockery, toiletries, and art. Do bring your books, medication supplies, computers and and audio-visual equipment. Retail shops stock the usual global brand products, at European price levels. For warranties, buy from authorised dealers.

7.Bureaucracy – You will need to register for taxation and residency. You may need to register car ownership or to vote, procure insurance or medical cover. Local residents are generally helpful to 'foreigners', although you may have to pay price premiums for your elevated status.

8.Employment – When you relocate to Africa, we expect you to create jobs and investments. Recruitment agencies may have employment positions with multinationals and big local firms. There are opportunities to create businesses in almost every economic or social sector. You will generate strong goodwill from efforts to train and support suppliers, customers and employees. When fairly rewarded, Africans generally have a strong work ethic. They are also sensitive to historical injusticies and contemporary trade inequalities.

9.Family – Africans have retained strong family values. Much leisure time is spent visiting with friends and family. Urban residents may travel long distances over weekends and holidays. Informal netwoeks and extended family provide much of the 'safety net' benefits that have been institutionalied and privately capitalised in other countries.

10.Prepare yourself and your family well in advance. In particular, make arrangements for private education, medical care, and independent essential services (transport, water and electricity). Once these are expensed by your private (and hopefully, profitable) business, you may enjoy well, well.

Relocating to Ile Yoruba and other Africa 2

This is part of efforts to help people who want to remigrate to African countries. It is essential to arrange property financing and management support.

Property Investment: UK
We plan to offer a UK property investment service, whereby you sell ownership in UK property to a private single-property investment company in which you and us hold equity shares. You may have the option to rent back the property at market rates from the investment company.
The property is either let and managed to provide income or sold to release remaining capital. The net proceeds are shared as per equity holding.
This service is planned to help reduce uncertainty on your source of resettlement income, and cut dependence on foreign mortgages which tend to be attract higher interest rates than UK.

Property Investment: African country
We plan to offer African country property investment service, whereby you purchase equity share in a private single-property investment company. With your agreement, the company invests in purchase of an owner – occupied residential property. You may have the option to rent the property at market rates from the company.
The company may also let and manage the property so as to provide income. When the property is sold, the net capital proceeds are shared as per equity holding.
This service is planned to assist you in obtaining property for accommodation or investment in the country of destination. The company ensures that the property is built and fitted to standards, and is amenable to sufficient potential of rental income or capital gain. The company will also expense the cost of paying your income or capital into your account.

Remigrating to Ile-Yoruba, and other Africa

Relocation, Repatriation, Remigration...
Once you have decided to relocate, you will need all the help you can get with the physical logistics of establishing your new homeland. I am thinking to offer a comprehensive Tokunbo (the foreign traveller returns) Relocation package from UKP 250. Here are the services.


Before you go, we will
Provide you a printed checklist of things that need doing
Introduce you to a Tokunbo Relocation contact in whose state of origin you have chosen to relocate to within the country. State of origin is of strong cultural importance in African countries.
Help with opening an African country bank account, and advice on funds transfer.
Help to book your flight
Help to arrange temporary storage, freight & forwarding of your personal effects.
Help to find a rental or purchase property in the African country, and negotiate with the owner
Help to find a car to purchase, and negotiate with the seller.
Help with health and safety actions for travellers to your country of destination

When you arrive, we will
Arrange a pick-up car and personal guide to meet at the port and take you to hotel accommodation.
Provide a welcome pack, including light refreshment, bottled water, a SIM card (ensure you unlock and bring a mobile phone), telephone top-up for calling family and friends back in the UK about your safe arrival, and a welcome message from your Tokunbo Relocation contact person.
Your Tokunbo contact may help you with:
Transfer from hotel to your next residence
Information or guided tour on local essential services (schools, places of worship, food and fuel, police, fire, hospitals, banks and commercial offices, markets, and internet / post offices).
Help with transport of your personal effects to your own self – contained residence.

After you have settled in your new home, we and yiur Tokunbo contact will
Maintain contact with you to answer questions and help you resettle in your new home.
Help with obtaining your national tax registration.
(Optional) Arrange visits and meetings with other Tokunbo resettlers.
(Optional) Personal introductions to local traditional rulers; schools; bank account opening; medical, fire and police support; and membership of social associations.
(Optional) Help with supply of water and cooking fuel, electricity and internet to your home.
(Optional) Help with obtaining your property registration, tax and insurance.
(Optional) Help with obtaining your driving licence; car registration, licence, insurance, and tax.
(Optional) Help with replenishments of essential medication.

The Tokunbo Relocation Service aims to assist with the physical aspects of moving to your new home. You may also appreciate support with financial, property, employment or bereavement aspects.