Gambia's property boom: how Mustapha Njie is helping to 'house the nation'

Making the Gambia a safe haven for investment

Over the last ten years, the Gambian government has been committed to making The Gambia a safe haven for investment by encouraging private sector growth. The country has a stable economy, with property laws based on the UK legal system and significant investment in infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals. As a result of the government's policies, and the hard work of successful businesses such as Taf Gambian Property (www.tafgambianproperty.com), Gambia's property market has become a major success story.

Operation House the Nation: how it began

In 2000,Taf Gambian Property ventured into large-scale housing development. Taf Gambian Property is part of Taf Holding Company Ltd, owned by Mr Mustapha Njie, one of The Gambia's most respected businessmen. Code-named 'Operation House the Nation', the project had two goals. Firstly, to give the Gambian people an opportunity to own well-built, good quality homes, and secondly, to provide a good selection of property for outside investors.

Two sites were allocated to Taf Gambian Property for the development of low, middle and high-income houses: Yarambamba Housing Estate in Yundum, and Brufut Gardens in Brufut.

Yarambamba Housing Estate

This site comprises of two hundred and ten highly affordable two and three bedroom houses, giving local Gambians an unprecedented opportunity to own or lease their own homes. The site has excellent amenities with well-maintained roads, a mosque and a bustling market. The total project cost was $4.5 million and the company received $1.00 million as co-financing from Shelter Afrique, a Pan African Housing Finance Institution based in Kenya. The project was finished in early 2004.

Brufut Gardens

Overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, opposite the newly built five star Sheraton Hotel, Brufut Gardens is Gambia's most modern and impressive housing estate, comprising over five hundred houses and apartment buildings. This beautiful site is just a five minute drive to Senegambia, The Gambia's main tourism area. Amenities include landscaped terraces and sidewalks with over 1,800 tropical fruit trees, 24 hour electricity and water supply, street lighting, garbage collection and 24 hour security. The total project cost was $35 million. Shelter Afrique has contributed $2.5 million in financing.

Looking to the future

Due to the work of companies such as Taf Gambian Property, the country is fast becoming a major tourist destination and an ideal place for investors to make their mark. As we look forward to the next ten years, Gambia's future is looking bright.