Thursday 29 September 2011

Brufut Gardens, Gambia and its founder: Mr Mustapha Njie


Brufut Gardens is a stunning housing development in The Gambia, with over five hundred properties covering 3,700,000 square metres. Brufut Gardens overlooks the golden sands of Brufut beach, just a five minute drive from popular tourist destination Senegambia. Property consultants in Gambia recommend Brufut Gardens as one of the best places to invest, due to its impressive location, excellent facilities and thriving community. Property investors are snapping up its houses, apartments and villas, available to view at www.tafgambianproperty.com.

Turning vision into reality
Who had the vision to create Brufut Gardens and turn this dream into reality? The man behind this development, and many others across the country, is Mr Mustapha Njie. Mr Njie is one of Gambia's most successful entrepreneurs. He founded leading construction company TAF Construction over twenty years ago. Then, in 1998, the success of TAF Construction led Mr Njie to incorporate TAF Holding Company Ltd. The company has since expanded into real estate and lettings. Its property division, TAF Gambian Property, is a leading Gambia real estate agency that leases, rents and sells properties at Brufut Gardens, described by Gambian property dealers as 'a piece of heaven in The Gambia'.

Passionate about the Gambia
Mustapha Njie is passionate about his country and is dedicated to helping the progression of its people and its businesses. This passion is reflected in the activities of TAF Holding Company, which has over 400 Gambians in its employment. The company makes regular donations to philanthropic organizations and has set up a number of scholarships. It has also registered the 'Taf Skill Centre' - a non-governmental organization that aims to give young Gambian school leavers the opportunity to access formal vocational training in construction.

Awards and accolades
Mr Mustapha Njie has been awarded countless national and international accolades. These include the Gambian Businessman of the Year several years running and the European Commission Global Business Award for Excellence and Quality. Most recently he was awarded 'The Gambian Honorable Businessman of 2010' and 'The Ecowas Outstanding Service Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation'. He was also decorated with the Insignia of Member of The Republic of The Gambia (MRG) by President Jammeh.

To find out more about Brufut Gardens, visit www.tafgambianproperty.com.

What you need to know about buying property in The Gambia


The Gambia is fast becoming a property buyer's dream. More and more people are moving to this tropical paradise, just five hours away from the UK. There is plenty of property for sale in Gambia, from apartments to houses and luxurious villas. Whether you want to retire, buy a holiday home, make an investment or set up a new business, The Gambia offers fantastic real estate opportunities.

However, before looking at Gambia properties for sale, it is vital that you do your research. Here are some tips to get you started:

Gambian property laws
In many ways these are similar to the British system, which is good news for those buying and selling properties in Gambia. Land is registered at the Property Registry, which you can check to confirm whether the seller owns the property. However, some land is not yet registered, and, most importantly, the terms 'freehold' and 'leasehold' are not the same as in Europe. You should therefore make sure that you instruct a reputable firm to make the right checks and give you the right advice.

Property conveyancing: The Gambian conveyancing process is also very similar to the British conveyancing process. A contract is drawn up by the respective lawyers, and a deposit paid to the seller. The completion period is usually 30 days, and upon payment of the full purchase price a deed of conveyance is issued to the purchaser.

Taxes and other costs: As with the British system, you will have to pay various taxes and associated costs. These can include stamp duty, land rent and lawyer's fees. Make sure you get this information before making a decision to buy. You should also get buildings insurance which is readily available.

Utilities in The Gambia: The electricity and water supply in The Gambia is generally good, but, when looking at properties, make sure you check that there is a reliable supply, preferably with a backup generator. You should also look into mobile access, internet supply and satellite TV.

Where to start: When looking for property for sale in Gambia, it can be hard to know where to start. There are plenty of good estate agents who can help you make the right choice. A good place to start is TAF Gambian Property, one of Gambia's leading estate agents. Find out more at www.tafgambianproperty.com.