Will Khartoum Become The 'African Dubai'?

Oil money has fueled an urban development boom in the Sudanese capital of Khartoum, prompting some to call it the "African Dubai". But with the continuing and deadly conflict in Darfur, many countries are hesitant to invest in Sudan.

1 minute read

April 25, 2007, 10:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"A tall hotel development has already changed the city's low-rise skyline and work is well underway to transform parts of the sleepy city centre into a bustling, gleaming 24-hour metropolis."

"The oil-fuelled construction boom may also lead to social changes, although the government shows less sign of loosening its grip here than the economy."

"Businessmen are revelling in the new opportunities opening up, now that there is peace in the oilfields after the end of the 21-year conflict between north and south."

"Less than a decade after the oil came online, Sudan is already the third largest producer in Africa."

" Even better for business, the government, which used to tightly control all economic activity, has passed a host of reforms to make international trade much easier."

FULL STORY: Khartoum booms as Darfur burns

Tuesday, April 24, 2007 in BBC

Community / Economic Development Urban Development Africa

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