A decade of growth fuels Akka Kappa’s ambitions in West Africa and beyond

By Buertey Francis BORYOR

Driven by a clear and ambitious vision, Jolanda Castagna, CEO of Akka Kappa Ghana, is transforming her company into the most trusted real estate name in West Africa and beyond. She is positioning the firm to become a major regional and international name in real estate.

“We are determined to grow. Our vision is to be recognised as the most reliable partner in Ghana and in West Africa; but not just locally. We are aiming for international recognition,” Castagna stated during an interview with the B&FT at her office in Accra.

This global ambition is already in motion, with the company’s Sales Director currently engaging foreign investors at a forum in the UK.

Castagna points to evolving global trends as the driver behind this strategy, explaining that as the country’s economy strengthens and its real estate standards rise, a surge of global investors is turning their attention to the market. According to her, this bold vision for the next five to ten years builds on a solid foundation of a decade in business.

This November, the company marks its 10th anniversary, a milestone the CEO describes as a “great achievement.” She reflected on its organic growth, which began as a simple part-time letting agency. With time, she said, client demand grew; and her own ambition kicked in, pushing the company into sales and property management.

Akka Kappa, she said, identified a key challenge in the country’s real estate market, noting that many property owners were not prepared to provide ongoing support after a sale or rental. “We saw a need. Many property owners were not prepared to offer proper support after a sale or rental, so we stepped in,” she said.

Castagna also revealed that the business became a family affair when her son joined, bringing new energy; and her husband later came on board to launch a construction consultancy.

Looking back, she admits the journey had challenges, but she never thought of quitting. She believes the opportunities for Akka Kappa have always outweighed the difficulties, and her approach to problems is always to immediately seek a solution rather than dwell on the issue.

The Ghanaian real estate landscape has transformed dramatically since she started. Castagna recalled when areas like McCarthy Hills were largely empty. “Go now. You do not see the trees anymore because the houses, completed and uncompleted, are so many,” she said.

In Accra’s prime areas alone, she now counts 37 active projects, expecting over 3,000 new units by 2028. “This boom intensifies competition, making a developer’s track record more critical than ever,” she added.

For Castagna, Akka Kappa’s greatest accomplishment is not a trophy or a major deal; it is the reputation they have built. “The highest achievement is the respect we have earned. People know we are trustworthy and reliable. That trust is built day by day,” she said.

She was quick to share the credit with her team, calling them “vitally important,” even while acknowledging that building the right team is one of the toughest parts of leadership. She said the company invests heavily in training to ensure its staff understands its core values.

The path has not been without industry-wide hurdles. Castagna highlighted two major challenges: an unregulated market and a lack of a “culture of due diligence.” She explained that the industry has many short-term actors, unlike her long-term vision. Furthermore, many property owners fail to keep essential documents like land titles in order, creating delays and risks that can burden future generations.

Yet within these challenges, she spots major opportunities. She sees massive potential in professionalising the Airbnb market, filling the gap for large commercial spaces and creating law firms that specialise only in property. “Every challenge is an opportunity,” she stated.

For young women aspiring to enter real estate, the CEO offered straightforward advice: ditch any illusions of a “glossy and glamorous” job. It is a lot of hard work. You really need to be persistent. You need to not give up,” she stated, stressing the importance of building solid internal processes from the start to withstand inevitable frustrations.

Technology has been a massive driver for Akka Kappa’s growth. From basic beginnings with an Excel sheet, the company now leverages powerful CRM systems, professional  photography and AI.  Castagna is particularly enthusiastic about AI tools like ChatGPT for tasks – from staging empty apartments in photos to creating flawless marketing content.

She dismisses fears that AI will replace real estate agents. “A home is the heart of a family. You will always need that human touch,” she asserted.

On sustainability, she believes the country’s construction sector still has a long way to go. For her, it is about developers respecting neighbourhoods and incorporating efficient designs, not just superficial gestures.

“Sustainability goes beyond avoiding plastic. It is about developers respecting communities and building efficiently, incorporating energy-saving installations and water efficiency into buildings,” she elaborated.

She, however, lamented that many developers still cut corners to reduce costs, undermining sustainable practices.

As for the 10th-anniversary celebration on November 8, Castagna said it will be a classic “Akka Kappa and Friends” event – a time for joy and gratitude, not business.

For her, clients are more than transactions; they are relationships to be maintained. It is a celebration of the trusted family she has built,  perfectly aligning with her vision for a reliable and enduring legacy.

“The anniversary would be a celebration of the trusted family I have built. Clients become part of the Akka Kappa family,” she said.

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