Development Of Commercial Real Estate Crowdfunding Markets And Regulation: Evidence For Namibia From The Uk

Following in with modern times trends where digital technology is transforming the world of business and society, new peer to peer (Crowdfunding) on-line investment vehicles that offers inclusivity, haves become available to real estate entrepreneurs. Crowdfunding has been in existence since the 2008 global economic downturn. This phenomenon is becoming a valuable alternative source of funding for entrepreneurs seeking external and emerging approaches for implementing their ideas despite not having traditional monetary resources such as banks and venture capital (Sheng et al, 2016). The crowdfunding market is an evolving market that has shown considerable growth over the last few years an estimate of the global market show that at the end of 2015 the value was $145.29 billion. Real estate crowdfunding platforms offers financing vehicles that are inclusive, open, democratic and unbiased (Lakhani, Hutter et al. 2014).Since Real Estate Crowd Funding CF is a form of securities-based crowdfunding, it is a regulated activity and most countries have developed regulatory frameworks to better protect stakeholders. In the UK regulatory policy governing the crowdfunding industry was introduced in March 2014 and is enforced by the Financial Conduct Authority (IPD, 2016). The FCA distinguishes between equity based and debt based crowdfunding platforms. Currently there are no specific crowdfunding laws or regulatory frameworks in Africa as in the UK or other established equity-based or debt-based crowdfunding markets. Despite this regulatory absence, there were approximately 75 listed crowdfunding platforms founded and headquartered in Africa during 2015. Mostof the above-mentioned crowdfunding platforms in Africa are operating without any industry specific regulatory framework, unless they opted for a license as a financial services or a registered credit provider (Afrikstart, 2016). The absence of regulation limits the expansion of equity-based or debt-based crowdfunding platforms in Africa, as it deters potential investors to pool their money in platforms in which they have no basic investors’ protection rights and clear exit strategies (Afrikstart, 2016).A regulatory framework that controls the transparency, speed, and scale that advances in technology and the Internet can deliver to early-stage funding marketplace and also protect investor is important because if not crowdfunding becomes rife with fraud which could lead to market collapse (World Bank, 2013).Furthermore thee development of a regulatory environment for the crowdfunding sector needs carefully consideration so as to ensure that new financial models are able to grow and innovate freely over time.A balance need to be created by authorities to allow existing platforms to gradually become complaint over time and not to supress the potential of the nascent crowdfunding industry during infancy stage as too sudden restrictive regulations may harm a crowdfunding market (World Bank, 2013)The aim of the study is examine what lessons can be learned by examining real estate crowd funding platforms regulations in the UK and the practicability of introducing these regulations in Namibia to help develop commercial real estate crowdfunding platforms. A realistic, mixed- methods research design guides this study. This approach calls for the implementation of methods that appears to be most appropriate to answer the research question (Groat et al., 2002). The mixed methods approach to research allows for primary data to be obtained by merging qualitative and quantitative methods. This research combines elements from literature review with field research, data analysis, and opinions and experiences gathered from stakeholders in Namibia.