Last updated: June 2026
You can fund an Accra purchase three ways: cash, a developer payment plan (10% to 30% deposit then interest-free milestones), or a mortgage. In 2026, foreign-currency mortgages run around 10% to 12% and cedi mortgages from about 22%, the latter easing as the Bank of Ghana’s policy rate fell to 14%. For a diaspora buyer, a USD mortgage or a developer plan usually beats borrowing in cedis. Confirm current terms with the lender.
How you finance a purchase shapes your return as much as the property itself. This guide sets out the three routes with current 2026 rates, and which one fits a diaspora buyer. It complements our guide to milestone payment plans.
The three routes
There are three ways to fund a purchase: pay cash, use a developer payment plan with interest-free milestones, or take a mortgage. Each suits a different buyer, and the right one depends on whether you have funds ready, are buying off-plan, or want leverage.
| Route | Typical upfront | Interest (2026) | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash purchase | Full price | None | Buyers with funds ready and the strongest negotiating position |
| Developer payment plan | 10% to 30% deposit, balance in milestones | None, usually interest-free | Off-plan buyers spreading cost across the build, 12 to 36 months |
| Foreign-currency (USD) mortgage | Around 20% deposit | Roughly 10% to 12% | Diaspora buyers borrowing in the currency they earn |
| Cedi mortgage | Around 20% deposit | From about 22% | Cedi earners; rates have eased as the policy rate fell to 14% |
Many off-plan buyers use the developer plan, because it spreads the cost across the build with no interest. A mortgage comes into its own for a completed unit or where you want to deploy less capital upfront.
Mortgage rates in 2026
Foreign-currency mortgages are around 10% to 12%, while cedi mortgages start from about 22%. Cedi rates have eased as the Bank of Ghana cut its policy rate to 14% and inflation fell to a multi-year low near 3%, but they still sit well above dollar rates.
The gap between the two is the headline fact for a diaspora buyer. Borrowing at roughly 10% to 12% in dollars is a very different proposition from 22% or more in cedis, and it usually decides the choice.
Dollars or cedis?
For a diaspora buyer, a US dollar mortgage usually wins. The rate is far lower, and it matches both your hard-currency income and the dollar pricing of prime Accra apartments. Borrowing in cedis while you earn abroad adds a currency mismatch on top of a much higher rate.
| Factor | USD / foreign-currency mortgage | Cedi mortgage |
|---|---|---|
| Interest rate | Roughly 10% to 12% | From about 22% |
| Currency match for a diaspora buyer | Matches dollar earnings and dollar-priced units | Mismatch if you earn in hard currency |
| Main risk | Standard rate and repayment risk | Higher rate; cedi exposure if you earn abroad |
This is the same logic that runs through the whole diaspora case: keep your asset, your income and your borrowing in the same hard currency. We explore the income side in USD rental income and cedi volatility.
Finance it the smart way
Imaani apartments are priced in USD and sold with developer payment plans, so you can spread the cost interest-free or pair a dollar mortgage with a dollar asset. Ask us about the payment options on a unit.
Explore the investment caseDeposits and total cost
For a mortgage, plan on around 20% deposit plus acquisition costs of roughly 5% to 10%. A developer plan may start from a 10% to 30% deposit with the balance in milestones. Build the acquisition costs, taxes and any mortgage fees into your budget from the start, not as an afterthought.
For the full cost picture, including the taxes that sit on top of the price, see property taxes for foreign investors.
Which route fits you
Cash gives the strongest negotiating position; a developer plan suits off-plan buyers spreading cost interest-free; a USD mortgage suits buyers who want leverage in the currency they earn. Cedi borrowing rarely makes sense for someone earning abroad, given the rate and the currency mismatch.
If you are buying off-plan, start with the developer plan and consider a mortgage only if you want additional leverage. The plan keeps you interest-free across the build, as covered in off-plan investment.
About Imaani Homes
Imaani Homes is an Accra-based luxury real estate developer, established in 2019, building investment-grade apartments in Ghana’s most prestigious addresses. Across four developments we have delivered every project on time, with two fully sold out: JAK Royale, our debut development, and The Ivy. Alexis Residence in Tesano is over 90% sold, and our flagship Regalia, in the Airport Residential Area, is open for reservations. Our standard is simple: the right property, in the right address, delivered exactly as promised.
Frequently asked questions
Can a diaspora buyer get a mortgage in Ghana?
Yes. Several banks, including First National Bank Ghana, Republic Bank and Absa, offer mortgages to diaspora buyers, often in US dollars or pounds. Expect a deposit of around 20% and terms up to about 15 years, subject to income and the property valuation.
What are mortgage rates in Ghana in 2026?
Foreign-currency mortgages are around 10% to 12%, while cedi mortgages start from about 22%. Cedi rates have eased as the Bank of Ghana cut its policy rate to 14% and inflation fell to a multi-year low near 3%, but they remain well above dollar rates.
Should I borrow in dollars or cedis?
For a diaspora buyer, a US dollar mortgage usually makes more sense: the rate is far lower, around 10% to 12% versus 22% or more, and it matches both your hard-currency income and the dollar pricing of prime Accra apartments. Borrowing in cedis while earning abroad adds currency risk.
Is a developer payment plan better than a mortgage?
Often, for off-plan. A developer plan typically needs a 10% to 30% deposit then interest-free milestones over the build, so you avoid mortgage interest entirely. A mortgage suits buyers who want leverage or are buying a completed unit. Many investors use the developer plan first.
How much deposit do I need?
For a mortgage, plan on around 20% of the price as a deposit, plus your acquisition costs of roughly 5% to 10%. A developer payment plan may start from a 10% to 30% deposit. Cash buyers, of course, fund the full price but gain the strongest negotiating position.
Weighing how to fund a purchase?
Tell us your budget and where you earn, and we will lay out the payment-plan and mortgage options that fit, with the numbers to compare.
Talk to our teamImportant notice. The figures in this article, including yields, prices, costs, tax rates, and timelines, are indicative estimates based on current market conditions and public sources, and are provided for general information only. They are not guarantees, forecasts, or financial, legal, or tax advice. Actual figures vary with circumstances and change over time. Before making any decision, seek independent professional advice. All purchases are governed solely by the terms of the relevant Sales and Purchase Agreement.