Accra, Ghana is one of my favorite cities in Africa. It has kind people, great food (rice jollof is amazing!), and a good vibe. I have surveyed Accra twice during my career as an AIRINC Researcher, and both times have been interesting!
Expatriates arriving in Accra can find many of their familiar grocery brands at supermarkets like Max Mart and Marina Supermarket. Expats usually travel around town by car, though traffic jams during rush hour can increase journey times significantly. Despite a lot of people and normal city commotion, expats often find Accra to be pretty calm and relaxed. Direct flights are available from Amsterdam, Paris, London, New York, Istanbul, and Dubai, to name a few. It is a well-connected capital city, especially compared to some other countries in the region.
When it comes to housing, Accra features various options for expats: apartments, townhouses, and stand-alone villas. Neighborhoods like Cantonments, Airport Residential, and Labone have been expat favorites for years. New construction has been occurring throughout the city as well, allowing expats to rent new, modern properties.
For many years, Naa Sowah from ExpatGh Relocation has been a trusted partner for AIRINC in expat housing information and needs. ExpatGh is a full-service relocation & real estate company to help expats transition smoothly into Ghana. Naa Sowah, CEO of the company, has been an expat abroad herself! On her company’s website, she writes,
“As a Ghanaian in the diaspora, who once had to move back to my home country, I came to have an appreciation of the difficulties one faces when attempting to settle down in Ghana. The challenges I faced in this period of relocation from the U.S inspired me to start a company which would address some of the major issues related to moving in Ghana, and thus, Expat Gh Relocation Services was born.”
It was lovely to meet Naa again to discuss the expat rental market in Accra. I asked Naa what is something that expats should know about the housing market before arriving in Ghana. She said,
“Accra’s rental market is vibrant but nuanced—prices vary widely by neighborhood, and what looks simple online often hides critical details. At Expat Gh, we cut through the noise with trusted local expertise, premium service and deep market knowledge.”
Ghana can be wonderful for an expat assignment. It is important to know that one’s preconceptions about the availability of housing or good and services availability can sometimes be different than from the reality. Naa mentioned that online listings are not always current or accurately reflect what is available at the moment, so being open and patient is key!
At AIRINC, our goal is to capture the reality of what assignees experience, not just the numbers on paper. When our researchers travel to places like Accra, they are not simply collecting prices; they are observing how expats live, shop, and adapt. We want our data to reflect both price differences and the lifestyle adjustments that occur when employees move abroad.
Our approach to Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) calculations combines quantitative precision with on-the-ground insight. Our in-house researchers canvass thousands of prices in local markets and international stores to measure the true differences in the cost of goods and services. But we go a step further by adjusting for local realities that shape daily life.
For example, commuting patterns may differ widely between cities, such as driving in Houston versus using ride-hailing apps in Accra. Childcare support structures also vary, and even basic needs like drinking water can require adaptation, such as purchasing purified water instead of using tap. These are the kinds of local details that help our data reflect how assignees actually live, not just what is available in theory.
By combining comprehensive price collection with thoughtful local insight, AIRINC delivers COLA results that are accurate and defensible, giving mobility teams confidence that their employees are properly supported wherever their assignments take them.
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