New Capital Ramciel Focus of Real Estate Investment Summit

(JUBA) – Smart Properties Limited has launched the Real Estate Summit 2025, a two day event scheduled for 18 and 19 September in Juba, as part of efforts to highlight South Sudan’s potential as a destination for real estate investment and urban growth.

The summit aims to bring together a wide range of stakeholders including international investors, South Sudanese government officials, property developers, and policy experts. Topics of discussion will centre on land reform, urban planning, sustainable housing and foreign direct investment.

Smart Properties Limited, which was established in April 2022, offers residential and commercial property management services within the capital, Juba.

Speaking at the launch of the summit, the company’s Chief Executive Officer Brenda Mutuku said the event is designed to promote a new narrative about South Sudan.

“South Sudan has the largest land mass in East Africa and the mighty Nile flowing through its capital. These are unmatched natural assets,” she said. “We are here to show the world that South Sudan is peaceful, open for business and rich with potential.”

She described the summit as a locally driven initiative, intended to build dialogue among South Sudanese professionals, citizens and government institutions.

“We are not saying all challenges will be solved in one day,” she said. “But someone has to start speaking up about the beauty and possibilities in this country.”

Mutuku also noted that the construction and real estate sectors are capable of driving significant job creation, particularly for young graduates in engineering and architecture.

From the public sector, Louis Kwot Akolith, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Lands and Housing, said the summit will showcase the government’s commitment to urban development and policy reform. He announced that the National Land Policy (2023) had already received approval from the Council of Ministers and is now pending parliamentary ratification.

He also revealed that the Ministry is in the process of developing a digital land registry. According to Akolith, this would help reduce land related fraud and make property transactions more transparent and efficient.

In his remarks, Akolith added that the government is encouraging partnerships between public institutions and private investors to undertake major housing projects. These include new residential estates in Juba, the construction of housing for state governors, and the long planned development of Ramciel, a proposed future capital of South Sudan.

Savia Aja Silvester, a coordinator with the Land Reform Unit, stressed the importance of supporting policies with enforceable laws. She called for the urgent adoption of legislation such as a Property Act and a Physical Planning Act.

“A policy without legal backing remains a book on a shelf,” she said.

George Ritti Richard, Director of Lands in the ministry, pointed out the growing concerns around unregulated real estate practices in Juba. He called for stricter oversight and regulation of brokers and property agencies, warning that without standards, land disputes and fraud would persist.

Officials also raised alarms over unchecked urban expansion, which they said is contributing to increasing congestion and pollution in the capital. Informal settlements and illegal land grabs remain significant challenges.

“Only through collaboration can we create inclusive, sustainable cities,” said Akolith.