Chinese investors boosting Africa's property market: experts

The inflow of Chinese investments into Africa's real estate sector has had a positive effect on the continent's property sector, experts said on Thursday.

Peter Welborn, Africa chairman of global real estate consultancy Knight Frank, told Xinhua in Nairobi that in some Africa countries such as Tanzania, there has been a lowering of office rent as a direct result of Chinese built commercial and residential houses.

"Chinese investors have increased the supply of buildings and hence reduced the prices for rent," Welborn said during the launch of the firm's Wealth Report 2016.

Welborn said Africans prefer to work with foreign investors who believe in the continent's future.

"The Chinese have been preemptive in believing in Africa and that's why they have been successful in the real estate sector," he said, adding that the typical model that Chinese investors use is to partner with local investors.

"The Chinese provide the funds while the local partner provides the land. In this way, under-developed land is developed to create modern commercial and residential buildings," he said.

According to the chairman, Chinese investors who were mostly involved in the infrastructure development will now begin to move into the real estate sector.

"The Chinese have developed an understanding of the local business climate and are likely to be more successful in executing real estate projects," he said.

Knight Frank Kenya Managing Director Ben Woodhams said Chinese investors are beginning to play a bigger role in Kenya's real estate sector.

"They have now also emerged as big players in the commercial buildings sector," he said, adding that the entry of Chinese contractors into Kenya will force local contractors to lower their profit margins.

"This will mean that houses will be more cheaper and that property investments will become more profitable," Woodhams said. Enditem