Welcome to BLIA. These Terms of Service are an agreement between you and BLIA LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("BLIA," "we," "us"), which operates the platform at blia.africa. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to these Terms.
1. Our Service
BLIA is a technology platform connecting international buyers with verified real estate agents across African markets. We provide:
- - Property discovery and request-based matching
- - Agent verification and performance scoring
- - Transaction coordination with milestone-based hold-and-release payments through regulated financial institution partners
- - Cross-border payment coordination and support
Important: BLIA facilitates transactions but is not a party to any purchase agreement. BLIA is a transaction coordination platform. BLIA is not a bank, escrow agent, money transmitter, broker-dealer, investment advisor, or real estate brokerage. BLIA does not hold, custody, or control your funds at any point. We do not guarantee transaction completion, property condition, or investment returns.
2. Eligibility and Account Requirements
- - You must be 18 years or older
- - Buyer accounts are currently available to residents of the United States; additional jurisdictions will be added as regulatory approvals permit
- - You must provide accurate, current information, including your country of residence
- - We do not permit registration or transactions from OFAC-sanctioned or comprehensively embargoed jurisdictions
- - Maintain account security; one account per user
- - Identity verification is required before any transaction capability is enabled, including government ID verification, selfie liveness check, and screening against sanctions and politically exposed persons watchlists
- - Providing your Social Security Number during verification is optional but enables higher default transaction limits
- - By creating an account you also acknowledge the user agreement of our payment infrastructure provider, Cybrid, which is presented during account creation and available in your account settings
3. Your Responsibilities
You agree to:
- - Conduct appropriate due diligence on all properties
- - Comply with applicable laws in all jurisdictions
- - Verify all property information independently
- - Engage local legal and financial professionals as needed
- - Use the platform for legitimate property transactions only
You may not:
- - Misrepresent property information or credentials
- - Attempt to circumvent platform fees
- - Engage in fraudulent activity
- - Harass other users
- - Scrape or collect data through automated means
4. Payments, Accounts, and Funding
- - Payment services on the platform are provided by our payment infrastructure partner, Cybrid, with buyer deposit accounts held at a regulated United States depository institution (Cross River Bank)
- - When you complete verification, a deposit bank account is opened in your own name; funds you deposit are titled to you and remain in your own account until a payment executes under Section 5
- - Accepted funding methods are push transfers only: domestic wire and real-time payments (RTP) from your external bank account; we do not pull funds from your bank account
- - Funding transfers are subject to banking cutoff times and are generally not processed on weekends or bank holidays
- - Cross-border disbursements are made through licensed payout providers in the destination country; at release, funds are converted to a US dollar stablecoin for settlement and disbursed to the recipient in local currency
- - BLIA charges a transaction coordination fee, disclosed before you commit to a transaction; fees cover transaction coordination, verification, payment processing, and platform use
- - All fees are non-refundable unless otherwise stated
Transaction limits: Default deposit and payout limits apply to all accounts and vary based on the information provided at verification. Higher limits for a specific transaction may be requested through our enhanced due diligence process, which requires submission of the executed purchase agreement together with proof of source of funds (for example, a bank statement). Limit increases are subject to compliance approval and apply to both deposits and payouts.
5. Property Transactions: Hold and Release
Transaction Process:
- - All transactions follow BLIA's established workflow, with milestone-based payments required for applicable transactions
- - When you commit to a transaction, you execute a transaction agreement that identifies the property, seller, price, and milestone schedule, and that constitutes your standing authorization for payment to execute upon verified milestone completion
- - Committed funds remain in your own deposit account at our partner financial institution until verified milestones are met; BLIA does not hold your funds and is not an escrow agent
- - Payments to the seller's licensed payout provider execute only upon milestone verification, pursuant to your standing payment authorization in the transaction agreement
- - Withdrawing or reducing committed funds before transaction completion constitutes cancellation of the transaction, subject to the terms of your transaction agreement
- - If a transaction is cancelled or fails before release, your funds remain in your own account and the commitment is cleared; no refund mechanism is required because funds have not moved
- - Once funds are released to the payout provider in accordance with verified milestones, they cannot be recovered through BLIA's platform
- - The platform's blockchain layer records milestones and releases for transparency and auditability; it does not hold funds
- - All parties must agree to transaction terms before proceeding
Due Diligence:
- - You are responsible for conducting appropriate due diligence
- - BLIA's verification services supplement but do not replace professional inspections
- - Final transaction terms are between buyer and seller
- - You must verify eligibility to purchase property in the target country
6. Country-Specific Requirements
Property transactions must comply with local laws including:
- - Land ownership restrictions (some countries restrict foreign ownership)
- - Government approvals and consent requirements
- - Registration and documentation standards
- - Tax obligations and reporting requirements
Important: Each African country has unique legal frameworks. Users must understand and comply with requirements in their transaction's jurisdiction.
7. What We Don't Guarantee
BLIA is not liable for:
- - Accuracy or completeness of property listings
- - Actions by users, agents, or third parties
- - Property conditions, defects, or legal issues
- - Transaction disputes between parties
- - Failed or delayed transactions
- - Service interruptions or technical issues
- - Indirect, consequential, or punitive damages
Maximum Liability: BLIA's total liability is limited to fees paid by you in the 12 months preceding any claim.
8. Intellectual Property
All platform content, trademarks, and functionality are proprietary to BLIA. You may not:
- - Scrape, copy, or collect data through automated means
- - Reverse engineer platform technology
- - Create derivative works without permission
- - Use BLIA trademarks without authorization
9. Privacy and Data
- - User data is collected and used per our Privacy Policy
- - To provide verification and payment services, we share necessary data with our service providers, including our identity verification providers (Persona) and (SmileID), our payment infrastructure partner (Cybrid), its partner bank (Cross River Bank), and licensed payout providers; cross-border transfers include sender and recipient information required by applicable funds transfer regulations (travel rule)
- - We implement industry-standard security measures
- - Data may be shared with transaction parties as needed to complete transactions
- - We cannot guarantee absolute security
10. Dispute Resolution
First Step: Attempt good-faith informal resolution (30 days)
Binding Arbitration: Unresolved disputes are subject to binding arbitration on an individual basis (no class actions). Arbitration follows rules of the American Arbitration Association or local equivalent.
Exceptions: Small claims court actions and injunctive relief may be sought in appropriate courts.
Jurisdiction:
- - Property-related matters: Governed by property location laws
- - Platform-related matters: Governed by Delaware law
11. Termination
BLIA may suspend or terminate accounts for:
- - Violation of these Terms
- - Fraudulent or illegal activity
- - Non-payment of fees
- - Providing false information
- - Any reason at BLIA's discretion
Upon termination:
- - Access ends immediately
- - Pending transactions must be completed or cancelled; funds not yet released remain in your own deposit account
- - Fees for completed transactions remain due
12. General Provisions
- - These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and BLIA
- - We may modify these Terms with 30 days notice for material changes
- - BLIA may modify, suspend, or discontinue services at any time
- - If any provision is invalid, remaining provisions continue in effect
- - You may not assign your rights without BLIA's consent
- - BLIA is not liable for delays due to circumstances beyond reasonable control
13. Important Disclaimers
AS-IS Service: BLIA provides services "as is" without warranties of any kind.
No Investment Advice: Nothing on the platform constitutes investment, financial, legal, or tax advice.
No Guarantees: We do not guarantee property sales, purchases, or investment returns.
No Custody: BLIA does not hold customer funds. Deposit accounts are provided by our payment infrastructure partner and its partner bank; funds remain in your own account until released pursuant to your authorization.
User Responsibility: You assume all investment risk and are solely responsible for your decisions.
Third-Party Services: BLIA is not liable for third-party services or professionals. You engage them at your own risk.
14. Contact
For questions about these Terms:
- - Email: support@blia.africa
- - Website: blia.africa
- - Phone/Whatsapp: +1 (888) 415-5269
Country-Specific Appendices
The following appendices provide essential information about property transactions in BLIA's operating markets. These are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal advice.
Appendix A: Liberia
Legal Framework:
- - Liberia Land Rights Act of 2018
- - Only Liberian citizens may own freehold property
- - Non-citizens may lease for up to 50 years (renewable)
Key Requirements:
- - Professional survey by licensed Liberian surveyor
- - Deed verification through county land records
- - Tax clearance certificate
- - Community consultation for customary land
Government Offices:
- - Liberia Land Authority: Property verification and registration
- - County Land Office: Local deed registration
- - Probate Court: Deed registration and official recording
Appendix B: Ghana
Legal Framework:
- - Land Act, 2020
- - Non-Ghanaians may only hold leasehold interests (max 50 years)
- - Lands Commission concurrence required for most transactions
Key Requirements:
- - Title search through Lands Commission
- - Survey by Lands Commission-approved surveyor
- - GIPC approval for foreign investors
Processing Times:
- - Lands Commission concurrence: 60-120 days
- - Registration: 60-180 days
Appendix C: South Africa
Legal Framework:
- - Deeds Registries Act, 1937
- - Foreign ownership generally permitted
- - Conveyancing must be handled by attorneys
Key Requirements:
- - FICA compliance (KYC/AML)
- - Municipal rates clearance
- - Electrical compliance certificate
- - Transfer duty payment
Transfer Process:
- - Only conveyancing attorneys may handle transfers
- - Transfer usually takes 6-12 weeks
- - Exchange control regulations apply for foreign investors
Appendix D: Kenya
Legal Framework:
- - Land Act, 2012
- - Non-Kenyans may only hold leasehold (max 99 years)
- - Land Control Board consent required for many transactions
Key Requirements:
- - Title search through Ministry of Lands or Ardhisasa
- - Licensed surveyor for survey plan
- - KRA PIN required
- - Stamp duty (4% of property value)
- - Capital gains tax (5% on transfers)
Processing Times:
- - Land Control Board: 60-120 days
- - Registration: 30-90 days after lodgement
Appendix E: Nigeria
Legal Framework:
- - Land Use Act, 1978
- - All land vested in state governors
- - Governor's Consent required for most transactions
- - No absolute freehold ownership
Key Requirements:
- - Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) or registered deed
- - Survey plan approved by Surveyor-General
- - Governor's Consent (typically 3-5% of property value)
- - Stamp duty (1.5% of property value)
Processing Times:
- - Governor's Consent: 60-240 days (varies by state)
- - Registration: Additional 30-90 days
Special Considerations:
- - Family/community land verification essential
- - Multiple sales risk requires thorough due diligence
- - Off-plan developments common (milestone payments critical)
Appendix F: Rwanda
Legal Framework:
- - Law N° 27/2021 of 10/06/2021 Governing Land
- - All land ultimately vested in the State; private rights held primarily through emphyteutic leases
- - Non-Rwandans generally acquire land through emphyteutic lease (up to 99 years, renewable); freehold is generally reserved for Rwandan citizens, with limited exceptions for approved investments
- - Rwanda maintains one of Africa's most complete digitized land registries
Key Requirements:
- - Title verification through the National Land Authority's digital land registry (accessible via Irembo e-services)
- - Notarized sale and purchase agreement
- - Spousal consent required for transfers of jointly owned marital property
- - Transfer processed through the Irembo platform with applicable registration fees
- - Annual immovable property tax obligations
Processing Times:
- - Title search: typically same-day via the digital registry
- - Transfer registration: typically days to a few weeks (among the fastest in Africa)
Special Considerations:
- - Verify lease term remaining and permitted land use category before purchase
- - Investment-related acquisitions may involve Rwanda Development Board approvals; confirm the correct route with local counsel
By using BLIA, you acknowledge reading, understanding, and agreeing to these Terms of Service, including all country-specific appendices that apply to your transactions.
