If you can buy land, buy the fucking land. If you cannot buy land, buy gold. If you cannot buy gold, buy construction materials. Own things that exist in the physical world. Own things that cannot be deleted from a database by some bureaucrat having a bad day. (well not sure how this plays out now because of the menged limat and all that but wait I shall say mine)
Land is the ultimate asset in the third world. They are not making more of it (basic economics). In Addis, land prices have been climbing for decades. The government tries to control prices sometimes. The market always wins. The catch: land laws are a nightmare, especially if you are a foreigner. Hire a lawyer. Do not trust handshake deals. (same nightmare now with menged limat and all the race politics and what not, እየበለፀግን ነው አና (We are prospering) )
Construction materials are the most underrated investment out there. Cement, steel, lumber. They appreciate with inflation and people always need them. Got spare cash? Buy the materials for the house you want to build next year. They will cost more next year than they do today (guaranteed, speaking from experience).
Livestock have been a traditional store of wealth in Africa for centuries. Cows, goats, chickens. They reproduce. They feed you. You can sell one when you need cash. No bank account required. Your grandmother knew this. Listen to your grandmother (she was right about everything, plus we used to have chickens since our back yard was wide and all, the only issue with live stock is that you have to be vigilant about taking care of them and you need the time, if you think that you can just buy a chicken and it just pops out eggs every now and then like a cartoon movie without you looking out for it that’s wild assumption even your sheep they ain’t no shaun the sheep).
Avoid: Cars (they lose value the second you drive them off the lot, but its good to have for transportation and if you do plan to do some Ride and make some extra cash), electronics (worthless in 2 years, trust me bro), and any “investment” that promises guaranteed returns (those are always fucking scams).
Coming soon: Banking in a Country Where Banks Are the Enemy