(JUBA) – The government of South Sudan has officially opened its real estate market to international investors, marking a new step in efforts to attract foreign capital and expand the country’s property sector.
The announcement was made during the first Real Estate Summit held in Juba, bringing together government officials, local businesses, and international investors to explore opportunities in housing, land, and urban development.
Louis Kwot, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Land, Housing and Urban Development, said the country is positioning itself as an emerging market with strong potential. He pointed to South Sudan’s strategic location in East Africa, rising demand for housing, and ongoing reforms in land and urban development as drivers of opportunity.
“We want to showcase the opportunities presented by South Sudan’s market,” Kwot said. “With reforms under way and the growing demand for urban housing, this is the right time for investors to consider entering the sector.”
He added that the ministry is working to create a suitable environment for real estate investment, with new policies designed to provide clarity and stability for investors. Several projects, according to Kwot, are already in progress to improve urban infrastructure and lay the groundwork for future expansion.
Minister of Investment, Joseph Mum Majak, stressed that real estate development is about more than building houses and offices. He described it as a way of building communities, generating employment, and laying the foundation for sustained economic growth.
Majak assured investors that the government is committed to ensuring stability, transparency, and reliable support for both domestic and international stakeholders.
“We are here to form partnerships and seize the opportunities before us. Our international guests show belief in South Sudan’s future, while our local stakeholders remain central to this journey,” he said.
The private sector also expressed optimism. Brenda Mutuku, Chief Executive Officer of Smart Properties Ltd in South Sudan, said the summit was the first of its kind in Juba and offered a valuable platform for interaction between investors and developers. “We are pleased to welcome international investors and work together for the future development of South Sudan,” she said.
South Sudan’s real estate market has long been seen as underdeveloped, despite the country’s rapid urbanisation and growing demand for housing and commercial properties. The decision to open the sector to international investors is expected to attract interest from regional developers and construction companies seeking new opportunities.
In South Sudan, the cost of property transactions is often quoted in both South Sudanese Pounds (SSP) and US Dollars, given the volatility of the local currency. For context, at current market rates of $1 = 7,100 SSP (September 2025), an investment worth 710 million SSP would be equivalent to about 100,000 US Dollars.
