Rural Africa has

tremendous potential

It is quite evident that the rural spaces of Africa can be transformed however challenges still remain. For instance rural areas DO NOT have access to much needed services and infrastructure as compared to the urban areas. For example, when a school is built in the rural areas teachers find themselves without adequate or proper places for accommodation. No shopping facilities and no banking facilities. They still need to travel to the urban setting to access these services. The same applies to clinics, hospitals and many more government services meant to be closer to rural people where qualified people are employed.

Now, there exists opportunities for private developers who are prepared to take the substantial risk in delivering the much needed services to those who are opting out of the urban setting. Whether one looks at this from the spectrum of housing or single accommodation options, shopping centre’s/ business hubs, what is certain is that the right mix of price and quality is a sure bet and one that will reward a business person/investor with returns at least equal to, if not greater than, the 25% per annum appreciation in real estate that most investors would expect. However, one thing that investors must be cognisant off is the need not only to develop buildings but also to be prepared to pave the way in installing much needed services and infrastructure.

“Rural South Africa is transforming and fast being developed privately by private citizens. These millions of South Africans in the rural areas are building homes worthy of the urban setting. What remains a challenge however is access to markets and other facilities in these rural settings.”
“The boom of South African rural areas. Luxury Living in the rural areas of South Africa”
“Rural South Africa has tremendous potential”
Beautiful mansions in the rural Villages of Limpopo Province
FINANCIAL EXCLUSION
  • Retail and Trade
  • Banking Facilities (Branch and ATM’s)
  • Investment Schemes and Policies
  • Life Assurance
  • Agricultural activities
  • Accommodation and Tourism
  • Entertainment
Infrastructure
  • Water Services
  • Sewerage Services
  • Connectivity (internet)
  • Renewable Energy

There are great business opportunities in rural Africa. People are business operators who know what they need to succeed: secure land tenure; access to markets, capital and knowledge; clean water, reliable roads and transportation, tools and technology, seeds and fertilizer; and good governance. These are the tools required by people in rural Africa to succeed and businesses that pioneer into these spaces need to understand the fundamentals.