For generations, Africans have pooled resources through various financial cooperatives to achieve shared goals. Dr. Daniel Moses, chairman and founder of Property Wealth Corporation and Cross Border Consult International, believes this principle can be applied to property ownership. With over two decades of experience in the United Kingdom, Moses has written a book, Fractional Real Estate, to make a case for structured collective ownership. He argues that access to capital is not the only challenge, but also how fragmented capital can be organised into productive assets.
Moses' inspiration for writing Fractional Real Estate came from observing that millions of Nigerians and Africans want to own property but are hindered by the traditional model that requires accumulating enough money to buy an entire property. He proposes rethinking this approach by allowing properly structured groups to come together to own quality assets. The philosophy behind his work is built around education, community, and structure. Moses' goal is to make property investment more accessible to Nigerians, Africans, and the diaspora.
Fractional real estate means several people participating in the ownership of a property rather than one individual having to purchase the entire asset. This approach requires a defined asset, proper legal documentation, clear ownership rights, governance, financial reporting, and professional management. Moses emphasizes that fractional ownership is not simply people transferring money into somebody's bank account, but rather a structured vehicle that owns the property. This approach provides a clear economic interest for each participant.
According to Moses, fractional ownership can potentially reduce the capital barrier to participation in property acquisition. With increasing property prices and stagnant incomes, the traditional response has been to save more money. However, Moses argues that examining how ownership itself is structured can provide an alternative solution. By allowing multiple people to contribute capital through an appropriate legal structure, the financial burden of property acquisition can be shared.
Moses draws on his experience raising over £2.5 million in investor capital to support his argument. He believes that the challenge is not simply access to capital, but how fragmented capital can be organised into productive assets. To make fractional property ownership work, Moses emphasizes the need for structures, governance, due diligence, and investor protections. He also explores how diaspora capital can be channelled into productive assets.
The concept of fractional real estate ownership is not new to Africans, as they have a history of pooling resources through Ajo, Esusu, Susu, Chamas, and cooperatives. Moses believes that this principle can be applied to property ownership, providing a new opportunity for Nigerians and Africans to invest in real estate. By providing education and promoting structured collective ownership, Moses aims to make property investment more accessible and inclusive.
Moses' work has the potential to unlock new opportunities for property investment in Nigeria and Africa. By providing a structured approach to fractional ownership, he believes that more people can participate in the property market, contributing to economic growth and development. As the author of Fractional Real Estate, Moses continues to advocate for the benefits of structured collective ownership, providing a new perspective on property investment in Africa.
Key points
- Dr. Daniel Moses proposes fractional real estate ownership as a solution to make property investment more accessible to Nigerians and Africans.
- Moses emphasizes the need for structures, governance, due diligence, and investor protections to make fractional property ownership work.
- The concept of fractional real estate ownership is built around education, community, and structure, providing a new opportunity for property investment in Africa.
