(JUBA) – South Sudan held its first Real Estate Summit on 18 and 19 September in Juba, drawing government leaders, investors, banks, developers and international partners to examine the opportunities and risks facing the country’s young property sector.
The two day event, organised by Smart Properties Limited under the theme “Unlocking the Property Potential in Juba”, focused on land management, housing shortages, financing gaps and ways to attract local and foreign investment. Participants said the success of real estate in South Sudan depends on stronger laws, better land registration systems and clear tax policies.
The opening session centred on finance and investment. Representatives from Ecobank, Alpha Commercial Bank and Equity Bank said they were prepared to finance housing and commercial projects but warned that unclear land ownership and slow registration processes make lending risky.
In response, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development announced plans to modernise and digitalise the land registry. Officials said this would reduce disputes, provide security of tenure and make property transactions more transparent.
The second day focused on taxation. The South Sudan Revenue Authority, the Chamber of Commerce, real estate lawyers and investors discussed how tax policies can encourage or discourage development. Speakers noted the importance of creating a fair balance between collecting government revenue and building an attractive environment for business.
In his keynote address, Minister of Investment Amb. Joseph Moum Malok said the sector’s importance extends beyond construction alone. He argued that real estate development supports job creation, urban planning and long term economic growth. He pledged government support for transparency and reforms that can build investor trust.
Smart Properties, the summit organiser, used the event to highlight its current housing projects in Juba. Operations Manager Malanga Suleman said the company is building modern apartments aimed at changing urban living standards while exploring ways to expand opportunities into rural areas. Chief Executive Brenda Mutuku added that the company is also investing in skills training and community empowerment to ensure real estate contributes to wider national development.
A strong message came from Louis Kwot Akolith, Undersecretary in the Ministry of Housing, Lands and Urban Development, who repeated his call for parliament to pass the National Land Policy without delay. He said land grabbing and disputes remain the single biggest threat to real estate development, warning that unless addressed, these issues will continue to block investor confidence and community stability.
The summit ended with a united call for action. Delegates urged the government to adopt clear land laws, accelerate reforms, and build public–private partnerships to unlock the potential of South Sudan’s property sector. They said Juba has the capacity to become a regional hub for real estate development if investor confidence is restored through transparent rules and reliable infrastructure.
South Sudan Real Estate Summit 2025 – Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | First Real Estate Summit in South Sudan |
| Date | 18–19 September 2025 |
| Location | Juba, Juba County |
| Organiser | Smart Properties Limited |
| Theme | Unlocking the Property Potential in Juba |
| Key Participants | Government officials, investors, banks, developers, international partners |
| Day One Focus | Finance and investment in real estate |
| Day Two Focus | Real estate taxation and policy |
| Banks’ Position | Willing to finance projects but concerned about unclear land ownership and registration |
| Government Response | Plans to modernise and digitalise land registration systems |
| Taxation Debate | Need to balance government revenue with investor friendly policies |
| Minister of Investment Message | Real estate should create jobs, build communities and drive economic growth |
| Private Sector Input | Smart Properties showcasing housing projects and skills training programmes |
| Main Concern | Land grabbing and disputes hindering investor confidence |
| Key Policy Demand | Fast tracking the National Land Policy in parliament |
| Summit Outcome | Call for reforms, transparency, stronger partnerships and clear investment rules |
