cheap farmland possible for foreigner??

[hausababy]

I'm an African-American as you all know and I would like to purchase cheap farmland of about 60-70 acres at $500-$1000 dollars an acre or 75,000 NGN - 150,000 NGN per acre.  I don't really care where the land is located as long as it is located in an extremely safe country in Africa.  By safe, I mean safe from crime and I guess wildlife but I'm not sure if I should be worrying about that.  I just thought I should say it out loud anyway since I was thinking about it. 

My plans are simple.  Start a farm and live as an organic farmer TOTALLY off the grid.  I want a totally self-sustainable farm to myself.  I have funds saved up not much but I can at least start purchasing land now if possible.  I'm not really looking to make any kind of deal here online but I'm just looking for friendly professional advice from the experienced members here who have expert knowledge in this area regarding Africa.  Thank you!

Hausababy

[Muhsin]

Hey,

Where have you been all those days? You barely come up here. Hope everything's cool. And how's your trip to SA?

Well, regarding your mission I can only wish you'll the best; I know nothing on that matter. But I hope those who know will come in for your request.

Ciao!

[hausababy]

yeah, I've been busy with school often.  Also, I found a somewhat Hausa tutor so I am sometimes busy with her as well.  I'm not sure if I will still visit SA because the guy I'm supposed to be staying with has not be verified yet.  I'm waiting for another person I know in SA to verify this guy before I purchase a plane ticket.  i also hope someone knows about africa farmland here. 

[Dan-Borno]

thanks for the interest in africa, however, with regards to
doing this type of investment land is not the major problem
in nigeria as you can secure land anywhere and very cheap
especially in the northern part, however, you will have to
be very well equipped with your own electricity and bore hole
dedicated to the farmland and it is never good for business
purpose because the expenses you will incurr on maintaining
the borehole and electric generating set will take all the
profits you will be making.

you should also be aware of 419 guys if you are not one.

[hausababy]

thanks dan-borno.  However regarding you mentioning that securing land being very easy and very cheap in Nigeria, is that the same situation all over Africa?  This is very important to me because I have been told that on the whole Africa is a very very dangerous country so location is everything to me obviously.  As mushin stated, I will be visiting SA and I am interested settling down in the "safest" country possible. 

I guess I should explain my definition of safety and more specifically what I looking for.  I'm looking cheap land that I can own totally NOT by lease in countries that do NOT have a crime problems.  That means personal safety especially since I'm a foreigner and that means corruption as well.  I think corruption is the main reason I can not reside in Nigeria permanently.  Dan mentioned the "419 guys" and I don't know who they are but my guess is that is the corruption I heard about that is so infamous and widespread in Nigeria 

Also, countries where I don't have to worry too much about getting eaten by a python, lion/hyena, or whatever.  My SA friend told me that in SA all the wild animals are kept in zoos or on game reserves but I'm not sure about other countries. 

but also the country needs to have fertile cheap farmland and being somewhat close to modern places would be nice but not totally necessary since I understand that aspect will drive the price higher. 

So, what countries do you all recommend?  I've read that most of Northern Africa is very safe but not Nigeria.  I've read that Namibia is a good option also. 

[hausababy]

On another note, I will say that my options so far are either Africa since I'm African American or the Philippines since my wife is filipino-american.  there is good and bad about each so we are trying to see which one is the best bet.

[Nuruddeen]

Hausababy, there are legal implications of obtaining land by a foreigner in Nigeria. There are property laws guiding land acquisition by non-nigerians. You may be aware that even we Nigerians are not real owners of the land we buy and use. Its more of government's property that is subject to renewal after 99 years by anybody that acquires it. The land in Nigeria belongs to nobody, but the government. I am afraid that as a foreigner you may not be allowed to posess one without following the land use Act.


However, you can get it once you are ready to follow and accept the terms guiding the Land Use Act. I will furnish you with a copy of the said Act for your own perusal i.e. if you are serious about it. Hope you are not one of those that deceive people online. Wish you luck.
Jibo.

[hausababy]

thank you naruddeen!  but you don't have to.  I do not wish to reside in Nigeria unfortunately.  especially since I can't own the land totally and it is also to dangerous.  What other countries do you recommend?

and I definitely not the type to deceive people or play any games online.  that is the exact reason why I haven't been here.  I am much too busy with school, studying, and work to have time for any type of games. 

[Muhsin]

Hey,

Hausababy, you really see our beloved country from a very dirty angle. Let me tell you--and am not trying to woo you--that is just unprofessional news picture; nothing that true. We live quite a peaceful life. Our people are again very hospitable. There are a number of foreigners pouring in into the country, Chinese especially.

Beside, what DB and Nurudden told you is nothing but very true. First beware of fraudsters and dupers, if you are not one, as they say. Secondly, owning land, especially for farming, is not a tea party. You need to follow some certain rules. . .

On a side note, I'm surprised to learn that you are he not she. lol!

[hausababy]

First beware of fraudsters and dupers, if you are not one, as they say.

Just the fact that everyone is so on the alert for scammers/fakers even here sorta provides me some insight.  (Or it indicates that there are a lot of scammers in the real estate industry...  :-\ )  I'm not sure how dangerous it is there in reality but I tend to err on the side of caution and avoid it altogether.  And here where I am, I get a lot of warnings about scammers specifically from Nigeria.  Is there any truth in that, who knows...  

On a side note, I'm surprised to learn that you are he not she. lol!

I'm not sure why you're surprised but ok.  I posted a thread in which I was reading Hausa to get corrections on my pronunciation.  My voice is clearly male...  :-\

[Muhsin]

First beware of fraudsters and dupers, if you are not one, as they say.

Just the fact that everyone is so on the alert for scammers/fakers even here sorta provides me some insight.  (Or it indicates that there are a lot of scammers in the real estate industry...  :-\ )  I'm not sure how dangerous it is there in reality but I tend to err on the side of caution and avoid it altogether.  And here where I am, I get a lot of warnings about scammers specifically from Nigeria.  Is there any truth in that, who knows... 

There are of course scammers in Nigeria here and abroad; but "not all blacks are Africans", right?  :)

I'm not sure why you're surprised but ok.  I posted a thread in which I was reading Hausa to get corrections on my pronunciation.  My voice is clearly male...  :-\

I took the meaning of the word "baby" to mean a baby-girl. We use it this way here in Nigeria.