Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa October/ November 2019 | Page 12

MASTER INVESTOR
Atlantic American Opportunities Fund II made a $12,000,000 investment in a redevelopment of
Tampa, Florida’s historic federal courthouse into the Le Méridien Tampa.
Daniel Ryan believes there is tremendous opportunity
for private equity investment throughout the continent of
Africa in a variety of real estate sectors. This includes student
housing, affordable housing for the general public, flex
residential mixed-use developments, infrastructure business
industries and high-quality hotels in the right locations and
market areas. Especially in countries that are well governed
and have infrastructure in place that can adapt and improve
as growth occurs.
Ryan joined AAP in 2018 as Managing Director of
Emerging Markets – Africa. In this capacity, he oversees the
firm’s marketing endeavors in emerging countries, with a
focus on Africa. He considers his work with AAP, expanding
their business operations throughout Africa, to be his
most significant contribution. AAP facilitates the EB-5 visa
programme for investors wishing to immigrate to the US.
The programme has been in place for 28 years. In
1990, the USA was looking for creative ways to create job
opportunities using foreign capital. While the US has made
headlines for immigration issues, Ryan says this should not
dissuade investors and hopeful immigrants. “There is a lot
of media attention about America not wanting immigrants
and that’s not true. I am an immigrant, 90% of Americans are
immigrants… This is legal immigration and it is supported by
not only the administration, but its supported by 100% of the
population at large.”
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OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2019 SA Real Estate Investor Magazine
With the looming deadline for an increase in the investment
threshold for the EB-5 visa programme, many have rushed to
get their applications in before the 21 of November. But Ryan
warns that there are possible perils at stake for those who do
not fully comprehend the schemes that are attracting South
African investors.
“There is a lot of media attention about
America not wanting immigrants and
that’s not true. I am an immigrant, 90% of
Americans are immigrants… This is legal
immigration and it is supported by not
only the administration, but its supported
by 100% of the population at large.”
“If investors do not properly investigate or understand
the schemes that are being promoted to them as potential
investors, their money could be at risk. Several people
have lost their entire investment and have, therefore,
not been successful in their Green Card application. The
number of people negatively affected in this way could
increase as investors rush to secure an EB-5 Visa at the
current investment level and before the deadline when it
will increase by 80%.”