Inside Banana Island: How Nigeria’s Most Exclusive Neighborhood Became A Symbol Of African Wealth And Global Ambition

Inside Banana Island: How Nigeria’s Most Exclusive
Neighborhood Became A Symbol
Of African Wealth And Global Ambition

If you've got a keen interest in luxury real estate, you're probably already aware of booming markets like Calabasas, Beverly Hills and Palm Beach. While luxurious estates abound in each of these locales, many elite investors have been shifting their portfolios elsewhere. One such emerging market can be found on the shores of Lagos, Nigeria, on a small curved chunk of land. This ultra-exclusive enclave is Banana Island, a man-made settlement located within Nigeria's upscale Ikoyi district. First developed in the 1980s, Banana Island has quickly grown into one of the most prestigious real estate markets on the planet. Today, the region is synonymous with extraordinary wealth, elite business circles and the rapid rise of Africa's economic power.

Behind the tall gates and manicured streets of Banana Island, you'll find some of Nigeria's most influential entrepreneurs, executives, politicians and celebrities. International investors and homegrown Nigerian billionaires alike frequent the island in search of luxury living and a quiet retreat from public eyes. Those who live on the island retain status as part of an elite group, while the number of eager investors grows each year.

By TeeJay Small

Full story at Yahoo News