Lagos , Nigeria ( CNN ) -- Some 80 years after its first launch , the iconic board game of Monopoly has finally released its first African city edition . A Lagos-themed version of the popular real estate game was unveiled earlier this week , making Nigeria 's bustling economic capital the first city in the continent to have a dedicated Monopoly edition . `` Lagos is special , it 's a megacity , one of the fastest-growing cities in Africa , '' says Nimi Akinkugbe , head of Bestman Games which is distributing the Lagos edition . `` But apart from that , Lagos also holds a very special place for Nigerians all over the world . There are about 15 million Nigerians in the diaspora who are very nostalgic about Lagos ; it 's not just for Lagosians but for people all over the world , '' she adds . Read related : Lagos of the future . The affluent Banana Island , a man-made waterfront community boasting multi-million dollar mansions and manicured lawns , was revealed as the game 's most expensive property , joining Boardwalk in the standard U.S. edition and Mayfair in the London version . Many of the squares for the game 's upmarket locations feature sponsorship from banks , radio stations and shopping centers . In contrast , the square dedicated to the floating shantytown of Makoko , which is the cheapest piece of real estate in the Lagos edition of the game , was left unsponsored . Watch video : Monopoly adds first African city . Local officials were heavily involved in bringing Monopoly to the sprawling metropolis of some 15 million people . Their goal was partly to promote the city 's rich history and landmark sites but also to encourage responsible behavior and inform citizens about laws that are often overlooked . `` You 've been caught driving against traffic . Report for psychiatric evaluation , '' is the message on one Chance card , which issues a fine -- in line with the laws introduced recently by the local government to deal with the city 's major traffic problem . Read related : Africa 's daily commuting grind . Another card reads : `` For using the overhead pedestrian bridge on Worodu Road , move forward three spaces . '' Akinkugbe explains that many lives have been lost as people tend to cross the express highway by running across the road . `` By rewarding the person that uses the overhead bridge by moving forwards three spaces , slowly it begins to sink in , '' she says . And there are also references to Nigeria 's corruption problem : `` For attempting to bribe a law enforcement agent , pay a fine , '' says another card . `` This gives us an opportunity to educate the public about those things , '' says Akinkugbe . `` [ It 's about ] penalizing negative behavior and rewarding good behavior but in a fun and enjoyable way . We all know that learning through play is one of the most powerful forms of learning because it is not forced but is done in a relaxed , easy way . '' Akinkugbe says that two other African countries -- South Africa and Morocco -- have a version of Monopoly , but Lagos is the only city in the continent to have its own edition . She says that the Lagos game was sold out within 24 hours of its release , as about 4,000 people got their hands on it . `` Thousands of Nigerian families they are going to be playing Monopoly over Christmas , having a good laugh and learning at the same time , and just appreciating the city , '' she says . The first patented version of Monopoly was launched in the United States in 1935 at the height of Great Depression . It has since become arguably the most popular board game in the world , with several localized editions released over the years .
Lagos is the first African city to get its own edition of Monopoly . The city 's Banana Island named the equivalent of Boardwalk - the game 's most expensive property . In a statement released by the city, it said that the new version will be available in stores and online from Monday, July 1 at 10:00 a.m. local time (01:00 GMT) for players who have