Sudan: First Investment Destination Post Covid-19

Sudan is a great country with great potential, rich in resources, rich in culture and hundreds of pyramids with a unique geographical location. Sudan population is estimated to be over 41million, occupying an area of just under 2million km² of the African content, making it the 3rd largest country in Africa and the Arab world. The country is ideally situated between the western horn of Africa and eastern sub-Saharan region of the continent. The geographical location along with the vast diversification of its population have given the country a leading role amongst the African nations and the neighbouring Arab countries. Being one of the most diverse countries in Africa, Sudan has finally opened its doors to foreign investors providing unprecedented access to one of the very few untouched international markets. Sudan endured over 23 years of economic sanctions imposed by US President Bill Clinton, however, recently, the Trump administration started the process of lifting the last impending sanctions. This will unveil an astounding investment opportunity for investors. A country that will have a welcoming business climate and offer a wealth of resources and unexplored opportunities will finally allow investors to access one of the very few internationally untouched markets. Our experts and business leaders will dissect all aspects related to this unique yet exciting investment opportunity for both Sudan and investors and will also discuss the impact this could have on Sudan and the people of Sudan as the international community welcomes Sudan back on its stage.

1. Gum Arabic: Gum Arabic is a strategic commodity with several manufacturing applications, as well as in confectionery, beverages, other food industries, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and prebiotic. Gum Arabic is a  gifted commodity for Sudan due to its probable to generate foreign exchange, promote sustainable development of agriculture and forestry, ensure food security and combat desertification and climate change. It has the potential of playing a critical role for Sudan’ efforts to achieve the 17 SDGs of the 2030 Agenda for SD.
2. Sudan breadbasket of the Arab World: challenges and opportunities: In 1974 at the World Food Conference held in Rome, Sudan declared that Sudan alone would be able to produce 40% of the world’s food requirements and become the “breadbasket” of the Arab world and therefore Sudan will be one of the largest agricultural power in the world. However 40 years on and Sudan still today depends on food imports! The conference aims to discuss the potential of Sudan and possibilities for the growth of agricultural and animal sectors, what are the challenges for realising its potential, so that Sudan can become, if not an agricultural power, at least an exporter of food, and thus cease to rank among the poorest countries in the world.
3. Information and Communication Technologies
4. Infrastructure and Energy
5. Technology, Industry and Manufacturing: A flourishing industrial sector in the Sudan requires clear development plan, good governance, supporting legislations, creating a true investment climate in the country and securing the right environment for sustainable development including renewable, clean and environmentally-friendly source of energy. Additionally, building a competitive industrial sector requires heavy investment in infrastructure, research and development, technology transfer and training. However, regulation is only one of the means by which the society ensures that its values and priorities are reflected in the national development plan. It is equally important for investors to see the implementation of these regulations in practice before they have full confidence in the system. This means achieving political stability and creating a true investment-attractive climate.
6. Public Private Partnership (PPPs): Paragraph 67 of United Nations General Assembly resolution 70/1 recognizes the role of the private sector in development and calls upon its contribution: “Private business activity, investment and innovation are major drivers of productivity, inclusive economic growth and job creation. We acknowledge the diversity of the private sector, ranging from micro-enterprises to cooperatives to multinationals. We call upon all businesses to apply their creativity and innovation to solving sustainable development challenges. We will foster a dynamic and well-functioning business sector, while protecting labour rights and environmental and health standards in accordance with relevant international standards and agreements and other ongoing initiatives in this regard […]”. The need for partnerships is recognized in the UN SDG 17: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. This implies more qualitative and quantitative engagement of the private sector in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda, an enhanced impact of the UN values and objectives, in particular related to sustainability, on the business models of private companies, advances in the engagement of businesses from corporate social responsibility to direct contributions to the realization of the Sustainable Development Goals, or expansion of for-profit actors’ activities in areas which were usually addressed by public entities.
7. Air Transport: The Air Transport Industry in Sudan has played a significant role, historically, in connecting this great nation domestically and internationally. During the past few decades, the aviation industry of Sudan has suffered dramatically from the political and economic turmoil, mainly induced by a political regime that neglected the importance of the air transportation, and from the harsh sanctions which were imposed by the government of the united states for over two and half decades. After the lifting of the economic sanctions and the removal of Sudan from the SST list, the Air Transport industry of Sudan is ready to embrace the world again, opening a great number of opportunities for investors from around the world to develop and re-build the civil aviation infrastructure as well as the high-end air operators and service providers of the business.