Meet Apajok Aleer, the first female South Sudanese to open an interior architect business

 “What I’m doing is in my blood, a gift from God. ” Aleer says.

By Mary Poni

Apajok Aleer is a 30-year-old South Sudanese female entrepreneur who was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia but moved to Kenya with her family in 1991 where they lived for about 12 years before they relocated to Canada in 2002 where she grew up.

 Aleer is making a fortune in the untapped architectural industry in the country. She is a passionate decor. She has been designing interiors of popular houses in Juba since 2017, including; the Vice President for Gender Cluster, Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior’s house along the ministries road, the Alpha bank building along the Airport road, the Trinity Energy company building, Mgurush let alone over 50 houses comprising; residents and commercial edifices in and around Juba.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Architecture from the University of Chester in Italy in 2014, Aleer decided to come back home and take advantage of the available markets in the decoration industry.

As a specialist in commercial and residential decor, Aleer intends to venture further into furniture designs.

“I have expanded my business. I’m trying to bring in more furniture because we do furniture designing as well, my goal or motto is to design the modern you,” Aleer said.

She clearly loves her work. It shows from the way she focuses on her career to the way she runs her business.

 “What I’m doing is in my blood, a gift from God.” Well, Aleer has so far used the God’s gift well and is reaping benefits from her shop along airport road opposite the Zain office.

Aleer is inspired by women in leadership, including her mother, Sitona Abdalla Osman, the Director of International Cooperation at the ministry of foreign affairs, who also served as South Sudan ambassador to Germany between 2013 and 2017. Vice President, Rebecca Nyandeng is her role model.

“They’re women who’re able to dominate whatever aspects. They’re in business, government or whatever kind of work that they do because, in general, women are undermined and underpaid”, Aleer stresses.

She believes the more women are included in all aspects of work; the faster the country will grow and develop.  Aleer encourages career women to be consistent and stable to maintain their quality work and retain customers.

“Your actions and works speak for itself.”

“Consistency is always good because it’ll bring in more clients based on what you do, especially in a business where you have to show what you do.” Aleer explains.

Like any other business in South Sudan, Aleer faces challenges importing her goods as she either imports from Kenya or Dubai. She says it’s annoyingly expensive.  

“Sometimes there’re delays on arrival into the country. Taxation as well, makes things to look expensive.”

Transportation and taxation at the entry points costs Aleer about $4,000, roughly 1.6 million South Sudanese pounds. None the less, that does not discourage Aleer from enjoying the fruit of her labor.

“When you’re doing something that you love, it’s always rewarding,” says Aleer.

“Since I’m not yet married, I feel there’s no big responsibility. I believe there’s nothing hard in marriage as long as you’re creative in the sense that you’re also supporting your husband in all other ways, especially with finance,” Aleer said, encouraging young South Sudanese women to be bold and work hard to support their families.

“Building a home is a key role to play in developing a nation.”