What makes the Airport Residential Area Accra’s most valuable property market?
The Airport Residential Area commands the highest property values in Accra because it combines scarce, premium land with the city’s strongest corporate tenant base and consistent rental performance. Properties here trade between 1,400-1,800 USD per square meter, with short-term rentals achieving 19-22% gross yields.
If Ghana had a real estate stock index, the Airport Residential Area would be its blue-chip leader. While East Legon attracts luxury seekers and Cantonments houses diplomats, Airport Residential stands apart as Accra’s cash-flow flagship where capital preservation meets premium income.
Historical Prestige Meets Modern Innovation
How did the Airport Residential Area become Accra’s premier address?
The neighborhood emerged alongside Kotoka International Airport’s development as part of post-independence Accra’s urban planning. Originally serving airline staff, diplomats, and senior civil servants with low-rise bungalows, the area has transformed into a vertical, mixed-use district.
From 2015 onward, developers replaced older single dwellings with mid and high-rise apartment schemes featuring underground parking, rooftop pools, and concierge services. By 2026, Airport Residential showcases modern architecture with glass façades, branded residences, and serviced apartments alongside a few surviving legacy houses on large plots.
Price Profile and Market Strength in 2026
What do properties cost in the Airport Residential Area?
Market data for early 2026 shows prime residential units achieving roughly 1,400-1,800 USD per square meter, slightly above central Accra’s average of 1,500-1,600 USD when quality and location are factored in.
Two-bedroom apartments in prime projects range from 250,000-320,000 USD, while three-bedroom units trade between 300,000-400,000 USD depending on amenities and branding. For short-let and serviced units, Airport Residential averages daily rates around 172 USD, with occupancy above 78% and gross yields in the 19-22% range for well-managed portfolios.
Long-term corporate leases typically deliver 8-9% gross annual yields, translating to healthy net returns after management costs. This performance sits at or above the top of the range for central Accra in both pricing and income.
Key Drivers Behind Its High Value
Why does the Airport Residential Area maintain premium pricing?
Several structural factors keep Airport Residential at the apex of Accra’s value ladder.
The neighborhood sits within a five-minute drive of Kotoka International Airport and Airport City, significantly cutting transfer times for executives and visiting teams. Roads in and around the area, including connections to Liberation Road and the Airport Bypass, are among the best-maintained in Accra’s core.
Corporate occupiers, airline crews, diplomats, NGOs, and expat project staff form a deep tenant pool supporting both long-stay corporate leases and high-yield executive short-lets. Vacancy in prime expat neighborhoods like Airport Residential and Cantonments is reported in the low single digits, around 3-5%, versus 8-12% in some peripheral suburbs.
The area functions as a controlled high-end corridor with a high density of luxury apartments, mixed-use schemes, and hotels rather than informal or industrial uses. Clean streetscapes, professional facility management, and active residents’ associations help preserve the neighborhood feel and keep values elevated.
The Lifestyle Premium
What lifestyle benefits does the Airport Residential Area offer?
Many new builds offer gyms, rooftop or podium pools, on-site cafés, backup power, water treatment, and 24/7 concierge or security, matching international executive standards. Residents are within close reach of major malls and retail hubs such as Marina Mall, Accra Mall, and commercial complexes like One Airport Square and Stanbic Heights.
Reputable international schools and pre-schools in adjacent areas further support the area’s appeal for diplomatic families and relocated executives. For short-term executive stays, the area offers plug-and-play living where tenants land at Kotoka and reach a serviced apartment, gym, and boardroom within minutes.
Investment and ROI Perspective
Is the Airport Residential Area a good investment?
Airport Residential represents a classic balance between income and capital preservation. Long-let yields at around 8-9% gross sit just below East Legon’s 9-10%, reflecting higher entry prices and more institutional tenants. Short-let strategies push gross yields into the high-teens and low-twenties, far exceeding typical national rental returns.
Prime Accra neighborhoods like Airport Residential have seen about 20-25% cumulative price growth over the last five years, roughly 8-10% annually. This positions it as a defensive asset where values may soften slightly in weaker periods but rarely experience deep drawdowns because of limited supply and sustained expat demand.
For portfolio builders, Airport Residential functions as the stability anchor where larger capital tickets maintain liquidity and resale appeal even during inflationary or currency-volatile cycles.
Future Outlook (2026-2030)
What is the growth forecast for the Airport Residential Area?
Forecasts into the late 2020s project Accra-wide residential price growth of roughly 7% per year in USD terms and 10-14% in cedi terms, with prime corridors like Airport Residential expected to outperform slightly.
Pipeline commercial and hospitality projects in and around Airport City, plus upgrades to Kotoka International Airport and road connections, are set to reinforce the neighborhood’s desirability. Land within Airport Residential is effectively built out, meaning new supply will come mostly from redevelopment and vertical densification rather than greenfield sites.
This scarcity, combined with ongoing pro-investment policies aimed at attracting FDI and diaspora capital, suggests continued upward pressure on both rentals and capital values.
Ready to explore Airport Residential Area investment opportunities? Book a Prime Location Property Consultation with Sarah Arthur Real Estate to secure your position in Accra’s most valuable property market.
