How To Buy Land In Somalia

For anyone who has thought about buying land in Somalia, there are several factors to consider along your journey to land ownership in this country.

Somalia is a beautiful country full of rich history and opportunities for locals and foreigners alike. But, trying to purchase land in a place where many of the laws are different can be daunting if you don’t do your research and follow certain steps to ensure you have done everything correctly.

Here is how to buy land in Somalia:

• Decide what you’re looking for
• Know the area and customs of your desired land spot
• Have your paperwork and finances in order
• Work with a reputable real estate agent
• Be flexible and prepared for the unknown

Anytime we are making a home or land purchase, there are going to be a myriad of steps that must be taken before we can finally have ownership of the property. But buying that property in a foreign country is going to introduce a whole new set of steps, some of which may be complicated or confusing. But purchasing land in Somalia can be done, as long as you are prepared and go into the process with an open mind.

I love real estate and find the prospect of investing in land in another country to be fascinating. After some extensive research, I’ve discovered the steps needed in order to make a land purchase in Somalia as straightforward and uncomplicated as possible.

‍How To Buy Land in Somalia

Somalia is a country in the Horn of Africa and boasts the longest coastline of any African country. Most of the country is full of plains, terrains, and highlands and agricultural farming is popular here.

This beautiful country has been ravaged by war throughout its young existence but is now beginning to show signs of progress. Tourism is increasing as is traffic from foreigners and Somalians alike who are interested in purchasing land for their own use as well as for developmental purposes.

For anyone interested in owning a piece of this vast and complex country, it’s important to let research guide your decisions and actions as you move forward with this exciting opportunity.

1. Decide What You’re Looking For

The first step to purchasing land in Somalia is going to be to think hard about what you want out of this purchase and what you are looking to buy.

You probably have a good idea already about whether you want to develop this land for commercial reasons, purchase it for agricultural use, or plan to build a private residence for you and your family to enjoy.

But what about other factors that come into play when deciding what type of property you want to purchase? Do you have a specific area in mind? Do you know how much land you wish to purchase? Are there certain amenities you want to be able to access?

All of these questions are important ones to answer before you start looking at specific properties, because they will all influence what you are ultimately looking for.

2. Know the Area and Customs of Your Desired Land Spot

Another important factor in helping you buy land in Somalia is learning about the area and customs of the people there once you’ve found your desired land spot.

As I mentioned earlier, Somalia is a vast and expansive country, with a variety of terrains to choose from. It is also a country where most of its inhabitants can trace their ancestry back to one of four clans that originally inhabited the country.

A clan is similar to a family origin, and in Somali, there are four dominant clans that are still a large part of how Somalia's political, social, and financial structure is crafted.

Interestingly, Somali is a country where most of its people still identify more strongly with their clan than they do as having Somali nationality.

This has posed challenges throughout Somalia's history, and it is important that you know what clan is dominant in the area you are purchasing land, as it will make some differences in how you are seen, and how you will choose to interact with the local people.

3. Have Your Paperwork and Finances in Order

This may sound self-explanatory, but it is important to address, especially in a country like Somalia, where crime has been a large part of the country’s history and people can still be wary of others, especially foreigners.

The more prepared you can be, the better.

Make sure you have gone through the proper channels to secure your financing and have the appropriate paperwork to show you have followed the local laws and are cleared to purchase land in that area.

Whether you are deciding to buy land with cash or a bank loan will be something you will need to figure out ahead of time and be prepared to show where that money is coming from and that it is traceable.

You may also need to show documents proving your nationality, ethnicity, employment history, and your current assets and liabilities.

These may not all be necessary, depending on where you are buying land and how much you are planning to buy, but being prepared with full transparency on all your documents will help move the process along.

4. Work With a Reputable Real Estate Agent

One of the best ways to make the process of land purchasing in Somalia less complicated is to find and work with a reputable real estate agent in the area you are hoping to purchase the property.

Working with a real estate agent on any land or building purchase is always a good idea, and most people will say they are worth any cost associated with hiring them.

But particularly in a country like Somalia, working with a good realtor can end up making all the difference in your experience and ultimate purchase.

Spend some time researching who are the go-to realtors in the area where you are looking. Make sure they are licensed and set up an initial meeting, having your list of wants, needs, and questions ready.

Reputable realtors in Somalia are used to working with foreigners, since interest in purchasing property in the country has grown. They will be able to address all your concerns and also give you a more extensive list of necessary to-dos that will help ease your mind and make the process easier.

A good, local realtor will also be able to guarantee you are following all local laws and abiding by any customs or regulations that are specific to the area in Somalia where you are purchasing land.

5. Be Flexible and Prepared for the Unknown

We all know that buying real estate of any sort can be an exhausting experience. But to purchase property in a foreign country will take a person with a lot of grit and adventure in their bloodstream, especially in a developing country like Somalia.

Buying land in Somalia is going to have some unexpected challenges at times. Even if you’ve done all your research, have everything prepared, and are working with a fantastic realtor, there is a high likelihood that there will be some issue along the way that will threaten to derail the whole process.

Reminding yourself to stay flexible and appreciate the process will go a long way toward making the experience of buying land more pleasant for you. And, if you can expect that unknown issues are going to be the rule, not the exception, you will come out the other side of this feeling like it was an adventure, not a burden.

Somalia is a young country that is still changing and figuring itself out. If you can find ways to appreciate and enjoy that, you will find buying land in Somalia to be a positive and successful experience.