%0 Conference Proceedings %D 2019 %T Developing New Frontiers for the African Real Estate Sector: the 19th Annual AfRES Conference %X

In our edition of the proceedings, we are happy to welcome you to our AfRES annual conference for 2019 held in Arusha, Tanzania. Arusha is a city in north eastern Tanzania of about half a million population. It is about 623 kilometers north of Dar es Salaam the capital of Tanzania. It is only 270kilometers south of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital. It is accessible by all means oftransport, planes, cars and busses. Many people prefer the drive from Nairobi as it is shorter than from Dar. Arusha is the arrival point for those who would like to brave up Mount Kilimanjaro.

Arusha is an important city in Tanzanian history, as it was the site of signing the declaration of independence in 1961. It has importance regionally as it is where the Arusha Accords were signed in 1993 by representatives of fighting factions of the Rwandan civil war. Also the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement for Burundi were signed in 2000. Again in 2015 the Arusha Agreement for South Sudan created the framework for the reunification of South Sudan’s ruling SPLM party.

Tourism is one of the most dollar-earning economic activities in the region. Arusha is located on the northern safari circuit near some of the greatest parks and game reserves in Africa, including Serengeti National Park, Kilimanjaro National Park, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Arusha National Park, Lake Manyara National Park, and Tarangire National Park. We really hope that you will enjoy your stay with us in Arusha and make the best of the opportunity in the surrounding areas.

As usual, we have to thank the numerous sponsors who have assisted in different ways; the conference would not have been possible without their contributions. We trust that we will all benefit from the gathering through discussions, debates and networking both of a professional and academic nature.

Today, we can see the maturation happening around us on the African soil. Real estate markets are starting to show growth and higher levels of maturity. From the papers and presentations, data is starting to reflect a much-needed understanding of these markets. The theme of this conference is appropriately “Developing New Frontiers for the African Real Estate Sector” shows that we are on the dawn of new era on the continent 

This year we are a good proof that we are growing stronger and stronger. We had the highest number of submitted abstracts at 106 abstracts of which 86 will be presented. We had 49 papers for reviewing of which 15 were accepted and 6 non-reviewed papers. We appreciate the Scientific / Technical committee of the conference for their work in reviewing the submitted abstracts and papers. The feedback to the authors assisted greatly in finalizing them in the format presented in these proceedings. The papers printed in these proceedings were double-blind reviewed to ensure the highest standards and international comparability. The abstracts were reviewed, and guidance given to authors.

The East African AfRES chapter is grateful to those who assisted and contributed in bringing this conference together and making it happen. We are appreciative of the hours of work which some of our members dedicated to the process and Prof Aly Karam, the Chair of the Scientific Committee who had to forsake his leave to get the papers distributed, reviewed and compiled.

Dr. Felician Komu
On behalf of the Organizing committee
September 2019

%S AfRES %I African Real Estate Society %C Arusha, Tanzania %8 09/2019 %@ 978-9987-01-008-0 %G eng %! AfRES 2019