1. Real estate situation in South Sudan
East Africa Real Estate & Infrastructure Investment Summit 2012 Opportunities in South Sudan Kenyi A. Spencer (Private Sector Development Consultant for the World Bank) 5th – 6th February, Nairobi, Kenya.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

2. Outline of Presentation
The real estate
Urban infrastructure market
Market dynamics
Market strategies
Sector growth
Key players
New products
Challenges in the sector
Opportunities across the residential, retail, office and hospitality sectors.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

3. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Background…
South Sudan’s inflation in Dec., 2012 stood at a whopping 65.6% (42.9% in Juba, the capital), dropping to 47.8% (42.6% in Juba) in January, 2013 (SS National Bureau of Statistics).
The decrease in inflation was attributed to the government’s move to remove illegal check points on the country roads, and the notable improvement in road networks, e.g. the tarmacking of the Juba-Nimule Road has considerably reduced transport costs between Uganda and South Sudan - (between mid- to late 2012).
The cost of transportation decreased by 9.4% in the same period.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

4. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Background (cont’d)…
CPI in Juba increased by 2.7% within a year (January last year to January this year). That of Wau (Western Bahr el Ghazal) and Malakal (Upper Nile) instead decreased by 5.1% and 5.2% respectively. This possibly is due to many people relocating from these towns to Juba, the capital; adding to the refugees returning from Sudan who have settled in and around Juba instead of in their respective states.
In 2012, prices of food & non-alcoholic beverages increased by 40.6%, while those of alcoholic beverages and tobacco, as well as furnishing and household equipment surged by 205.1% and 111.0% respectively in the same period.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

5. Impact of oil discoveries to the real estate industry…
The East Africa region is discovering vast oil deposits, which will (hopefully in the long-run) translate into a low petroleum import bill, cheaper oil derivatives for the domestic market and increased disposable income per capita.
Increased disposable income may translate into higher investments.
Increased disposable income will strengthen EA economies.
The big question is ‘what will be the effect of these oil discoveries on the real estate industry?’ – considering the plague of oil ‘curse’.
Let’s examine different scenarios:
Real estate situation in South Sudan

6. Scenario 1. Increased Local Property investment:
Likely outcome of oil production is a stronger domestic currency, which would entice property investment by foreign investors – to the advantage of local property owners.
Unfortunately, as a consequence of this, local investors may find it too expensive to invest in the property market by themselves.
Local products may be out-competed in the external markets on account of price.
This is likely to reduce investments in the property market further.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

7. Scenario 2. Boost to Real Estate investment:
Oil sales and the eventual petroleum value-chain development for domestic industrialisation will add huge earnings to the hard-currency inflows, eradicating the current account deficit, and allowing more real estate investments.
The ‘disposable income’ could translate into vast investments in tradable property instead, moving away from heavy industrial development. This will smolder the long-term growth in the real estate industry. Consequently, this may reduce sustainable industrial devt. by encouraging short-term wins, which is the main problem at the moment – petty trading.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

8. Scenario 3. Increased Investment Projects…
Public spending on physical infrastructure (roads, power, water) would increase tremendously, allowing for investor mobility within the region, thus increased investments in the property market.
Need for institutions to govern accountability and transparency in govt. spending
Development of the infrastructure would also influence the way the country plans real estate investments. Currently, South Sudan has more than 100 hotels in Juba alone.
Need for prudent real estate planning at all levels of govt.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

9. Increased investments (cont’d)…
18 to 20 firms have created more than 30 formal and hundreds of informal jobs each. These include:
SS Breweries Ltd
Water bottling plants (Canaan, Aqua’na, JIT, etc.)
ABMC Road Construction Co.
Building and Civil Engineering Contractors
Jagan Drilling Co. Ltd
MTN, Vivacell, Zain and Gemtel cellular and internet companies.
Tourist resorts at Nimule, Boma and Badingilo to be renovated.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

10. Other interesting achievements…
45 local entrepreneurs (25 women) trained and facilitated through special commercial loans arranged with World Bank support.
These, plus a hundred more to be trained and facilitated (soon) will form the first cadre of South Sudanese entrepreneurs capable of partnering with foreign investors. These may add to the future demand for real estates.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

11. Scenario 4. Increased need for rental space…
Giant construction projects, like the Lapsset (Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport Project): a pipeline and a superhighway will bring in a lot of labour, increasing the population – jostling for rented housing, hotels, hostels, motels, guest houses, etc.
This will contribute to a boost in the real estate industry in the whole region.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

12. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Scenario 5. Employment…
Improved livelihoods for the ordinary citizens will translate to healthy and capable labour force.
This will need prudent revenue redistribution methods and effective provision of public goods.
Increased revenue will lead to development in the industrial sector and the subsequent need for labour.
Need for labour-intensive industries.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

13. Scenario 5. Employment… (cont’d)
Increased revenue will open channels for government spending in huge public works, leading to increased employment and subsequent increased demand for housing.
Increased GDP per capita will lead to investment in personal property proceeded by rigorous campaign by real estate agents.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

14. Scenario 6. Power source…
Natural gas and LPG will improve the diverse culture of energy generation in the region to thermal systems as to supplement our current hydro-electric systems that are constantly failing to meet the (heavy) industrial needs, especially during dry seasons.
Fears of environmental pollution abound.
Current low power sources in Juba are constraining city erf development into compact accommodation, i.e. no tall sky-scrapers to maximise spacial use of the urban environment.
Tall buildings require lifts/hoists/escalators.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

15. Scenario 6. Power source… (cont’d)
Abundant electricity will mean low unit cost per family - more savings, thus increased investment in the property market.
With a good network of power distribution, more property developers will construct housing in the more remote parts of the country. This will improve the rural economy; reduce rural-urban migration and bring more people into the national economy.
Ultimately, this will spread out the demand for immovable proprty.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

16. The Real Estate Investment Strategies…
There’s need in the nearest future for:
Special Investment zones
Industrial parks
Free zones
Free ports
Business parks
Virtual zones
Hub markets
Retail markets … (private or public or PPP)
Real estate situation in South Sudan

17. The Real Estate Investment Strategies… (cont’d)
Real estate dealers/holdings e.g. Trans-millennium Property Group
Land Dealers
Real Estate Bailiffs (to handle repossessed property)
Business direction (private and public)
Housing estates: residential, commercial and industrial.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

18. The Real Estate Investment Strategies… (cont’d)
NB. There’s urgent need for labour-absorbing industrial investments to generate more income for property investment.
Priority areas are to improve on the standards of the already established hotels, constructing office spaces, low-income housing estates.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

19. Service Provider in Juba (Trans-millennium Property Group)…
A registered and licensed professional company as a:
Real Estate Agency
Property Management company
Project and Construction Management company
Property Guide and Facility Management Consultancy.
As property agency, their functions include:
Real estate situation in South Sudan

20. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Management of space and real property
Tenant selection
Assessment of rent and service charge
Collection of rent and service charge
Property marketing- sale and purchase of property
Letting and re-letting of premises
Drawing of lease agreements and negotiations/extension of leases
Registration of property documents-leases, sale agreements, etc.
Supervision of repairs and maintenance works
Real estate situation in South Sudan

21. Trans-millennium (cont’d)…
Resolution of real estate disputes
Carry out project feasibility studies on project financial analysis, resource availability, and project scheduling
Develop concepts into building designs
Advise/assemble building design teams
Obtain all planning approvals required
Carry out tender analyses
Supervise design and construction teams on behalf of the client
Property receivership
Real estate situation in South Sudan

22. Current Property investments in Juba…
To avoid potentially costly real estate investment mistakes and be able to maximise profits, investors are:
Improving on their low-cost lean-toes; from Pre-fabricated structures and constructing slightly more permanent buildings;
Assisting govt. in infrastructural development, e.g. roads, airstrips, River dry-ports, etc.
NB. There will be future need for industrial shells in vicinity of petroleum refineries to facilitate value chain development in the oil sector in anticipation of the second oil flow.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

23. Urban infrastructure market…
The relationship between infrastructure investment and economic performance is key to real estate development.
Rapid population increase of about 52% in Juba took place between 2010 and 2012 causing a heightened need for:
Shopping malls
Mixed-use real estates: industrial, office and retail investment property
Residential housing.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

24. Real Estate Market Dynamics…
In a typical market, demand increases are unlikely to result in long-term price increases. Demand decreases, however, may lead to dramatic price decreases.
Juba or any of the larger markets in SS are atypical, in that demand is distorted by the unclear land policy: demand is skewed towards the ‘haves’ and against the general market, thus reducing effective demand.
The ‘haves’ play monopoly and fix high minimum prices.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

25. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Market Strategies…
The current 125 hotels in Juba alone show the growth path of SS:
Increased investments in the short-run businesses (retail market development)
Anticipated oil flows (short-and long-run)
Anticipated industrial activity (in the long-run)
However, the current low room occupancy is due to the glitch resulting from the shutdown (room occupancy fell by 30% between Jan and Jan. 2013).
Real estate situation in South Sudan

26. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Key players…
Only one main real estate agent in Juba. None in the other major towns.
The govt. Company Registry
Ministry of Justice
Chamber of Commerce (national and state)
Investment Authority
Land Commission
Ministry of Housing and Physical Planning
Parliamentary Committee on Housing and Physical Infrastructure
Real estate situation in South Sudan

27. New Products in the market…
Residential housing construction in Juba = average of 30 houses per month in 2011, dropped by 50% due to austerity measures instituted in January, 2012, following the oil shutdown.
Construction of hotels has dropped from a high of 12 hotels/month in 2010 to as low as 4 or 5 per month.
Road construction has ground to a complete halt after having constructed 26 km of asphalted Juba roads in 2011 and a 192 km Nimule-Juba highway.
A brand new International Airport in Juba is nearing completion.
A new surface for the Wau airstrip completed in Dec
Five new 5-storey hotels constructed in Juba in the last 10 months.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

28. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Challenges…
Current oil crisis has created a stagnation in the economy
No mortgage law yet in South Sudan
No secure transaction law
No professional realtors
Unclear land policy
Few and unregulated estate agents
No institution to regulate the real estate sector
No self-regulatory system on property insurance
Real estate investment firms are still lacking
Real estate investment strategies, principles and regulations of residential investments are absent.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

29. Opportunities in the sector…
SS plans to relocate its capital from Juba to Ramcel – 100 km north of Juba - a huge boost in the real estate industry.
The planned dredging of the navigable part of the River Nile will open construction works in the landing sites and dry ports along the Nile.
Failing to revitalize the oil sector, SS is likely to invest in tourism, fisheries, forestry and agricultural sectors. This will spark up major construction works of:
Hotels, restaurants and guest houses
Fish-drying facilities
Fish-net industries
Fishing equipment (boats and accessories).
Real estate situation in South Sudan

30. Opportunities (cont’d)…
The lumber sector would introduce the following:
Wood saw mills
Carpentry works
Carpentry training centres
Wood marketing stores
Non-wood product facilities (honey processing plants).
The agricultural sector would draw in the following businesses:
Tractor-hire plants
Crop storage warehouses
Processing industries, etc.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

31. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Planted Forest of Teak in Loka – 60 km west of Juba (Central Equatoria State)
Real estate situation in South Sudan

32. Opportunities (cont’d)…
Before the oil shut down on January 20, 2012 South Sudan spent between SSP 97 and 348mn annually between 2005 and 2011.
About 30% of that in construction.
High numbers of South Sudanese returning to the country account for 2.2% of the South Sudan’s - population total growth rate of 3%. This means a lot in housing needs.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

33. Opportunities (cont’d)…
More than 12 million heads of cattle, more than 20 million heads of SHOATS (sheep and Goats) and millions of tons of Fish in the Nile, the Sudd Region and in its myriad of lakes. This translates to a great deal of facilities that include housing, slaughter houses, fish storage facilities, etc.
In 2010, GDP was estimated at 30.5 billion South Sudanese Pounds (SSP); up from SSP 10.8 billion in 2009 (SSNBS). The upward trend could translate into property investments in the long-run.
In comparison with its neighbours in the East African Region, South Sudan’s GDP ranked 4th out of eight countries, ahead of Burundi, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Central Africa Republic. More investments in secure propetryare highly likely.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

34. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Current Oil Deposits…
Real estate situation in South Sudan

35. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Summary of current South Sudan vital socio-economic indicators, 2011:
51% of the population < 18 years
72% of the population < 30 years
80% has no access to toilet facilities
60% of households at least owns a mosquito net
Infant Mortality Rate is 102/1000 live births
Under 5 Mortality Rate is 135/1000 live births: the highest in WES (192) and lowest in Jonglei (82)
Maternal Mortality Rate is 2054/100,000 live births
55% has access to potable water
18% of households live on borrowed money
Total No. of formal businesses, e.g. in Juba and Torit are 7,333: 84% are shops and restaurants.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

36. Real estate situation in South Sudan
On the ease of starting a business, Juba ranks 123rd. Thanks to the success of the modern Business Registry set up in 2006.
Entrepreneurs can start a business in just 15 days.
There are 4 Local Road Construction companies (only 2 in 2010).
South Sudan now has 16 Commercial Banks (up by 6 since 2010)
Real estate situation in South Sudan

37. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Tourism could easily become the second largest industry after Petroleum.
The Elephant Population is mind-boggling.
The New Serengeti or Tsavo of Africa.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

38. Real estate situation in South Sudan
The largest wildlife migration in the world takes place in South Sudan.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

39. Ostriches on an AGM in the middle of nowhere!
Real estate situation in South Sudan

40. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Conclusion…
Whether you want to invest in single-family homes, condominiums, cooperatives or multifamily residential real estate or commercial estates you will find SS a fertile ground.
Rules related to deferment of tax payments, profit repatriation and re-investment quotas are still in their quasi state, thus quickly reinvesting the proceeds into a "like-kind" investment property is highly profitable.
We already have a property management company on the ground to handle upkeep, tenants and maintenance.
We also have a unique business-connect company that will help partner your company with a local one that suits your calibre.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

41. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Conclusion (cont’d)…
You want to be sure you invest in an area with a strong economy, that is growing and where prices are steadily rising, SS is there for you!
You also want to invest cheaply in pre-existent property as a way to ease into the market, this is no option in SS because there’s nothing there.
Perhaps, with the rapid spate of construction during the oil boom (2009 to 2011), and thanks to the recent govt. austerity measures, some property now is falling into bankruptcy. Perhaps you could consider investing into some of these.
Real estate situation in South Sudan

42. Housing estates required…
Real estate situation in South Sudan

43. Housing estates (cont’d)…
Real estate situation in South Sudan

44. Real estate situation in South Sudan
Thanks a million…
Real estate situation in South Sudan