URBAN-ECON

What URBAN-ECON does

Urban-Econ Development Economists (Pty) Ltd is a South African professional services firm founded in 1985 that provides economic development consulting to government and private sector clients. The firm employs 19 people and operates from five regional offices across South Africa (Pretoria headquarters, Mbombela, Durban, Cape Town, and Gqeberha), with project work delivered across 22+ countries. The company is positioned as the only firm of development economists of its size in Southern Africa and holds a Level 2 BBBEE rating with 51.26% Black and Black Women Owned ownership.

The firm delivers work through six core practice areas — Economic Planning, Agri-business, Tourism Research, Property Research, Biodiversity, and Socio-Economic Development — supported by ten methodological capabilities spanning Economic Impact Assessments, Feasibility Assessments, Strategy Development, GIS & Geo Mapping, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Due-Diligence, Business Planning, Financial Modelling, Market Assessments, and Perception Surveys. The underlying analytical toolkit combines Geographic Information Systems, Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), econometric modelling, simulation, scenario formulation, and geo-referenced spatial analysis; the firm has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities and operates purely as a project-based consulting practice rather than a software platform.

Revenue is generated through professional services engagements priced on a quote-based, project-specific basis with no publicly disclosed rate cards or recurring pricing tiers. The go-to-market is enterprise field sales via direct outreach to government departments, municipalities, state-owned entities, and select private sector clients. Customer segments skew heavily toward public sector — including national, provincial, and local government, multilateral bodies (UNIDO), development finance institutions (DBSA), and industry associations — with only two named private sector clients (Atterbury, Sivest) visible across the data set.

Name

URBAN-ECON

Legal name

Urban-Econ Development Economists (Pty) Ltd

Website

https://urban-econ.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Urban-Econ Development Economists is a South African consulting firm specializing in economic development strategy, feasibility studies, and socio-economic impact assessments for government agencies, multilaterals, and private sector clients across 22+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Economic Development Consulting

NAICS

Management Consulting Services (54161), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (5416), Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services (541611), Environmental Consulting Services (541620)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700), Agricultural Services (700)

akta.pro primary industry

Economic & Macroeconomic Research (BPAHALAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Economic Development & Business Licensing (Local) (BPAIACAN), Economic Growth, Livelihoods & Private Sector Development (BPADAEAE), Supply Chain, Marketing & Contracting Advisory (Grain/Livestock Marketing) (AFACAJAH), Circular Economy & Resource Efficiency (BPADALAM)

Keywords

• Economic development consulting
• Feasibility studies
• Socio-economic research
• Strategic planning services
• Municipal viability assessment

Headquarters

HQ city

Pretoria

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Consulting and Advisory Services: Professional consulting services for economic development projects including strategic planning, feasibility studies, business plans, and impact assessments. Revenue is generated through project-based engagements with government agencies, municipalities, and private sector clients.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Urban-Econ Development Economists is a professional consulting firm that delivers economic development services including long-term strategic plans, provincial and regional development strategies, local and rural economic development strategies, municipal viability assessments, feasibility and viability studies, business plans, GIS-based spatial analysis, sector analysis, impact evaluations, and database development and analysis. Services are organized into six core practice areas: Economic Planning, Agri-business, Tourism Research, Property Research, Biodiversity, and Socio-Economic Development, serving government agencies, municipalities, and private sector clients across Southern Africa and beyond.

Product overview

Urban-Econ Development Economists is a consulting firm offering specialized economic development services organized into six core practice areas: Economic Planning, Agri-business, Tourism Research, Property Research, Biodiversity, and Socio-Economic Development. These practice areas are supported by a set of methodological capabilities including Economic Impact Assessments, Feasibility Assessments, Strategy Development, GIS & Geo Mapping, Cost-Benefit Analysis, Due-Diligence Assessments, Business Planning, Financial Modelling, Market Assessments, and Perception Surveys. The firm operates as a professional services organization rather than a software platform, delivering customized consulting engagements to public and private sector clients across Southern Africa.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Economic Planning Services Strategic economic development consulting covering long-term strategic plans, provincial and regional development strategies, local and rural economic development strategies, municipal viability assessments, strategy and policy formulation, motivations for funding applications, regional spatial analysis (including GIS), industrial clusters and hubs, industrial and manufacturing development strategies, feasibility and viability assessments, business plan development, sector analysis, data modelling, impact evaluations, and database development and analysis. Delivered to government agencies, municipalities, and private sector clients.
• Agri-business Services Agricultural and agro-processing sector consulting, including agricultural resource assessment, market research, sustainable agricultural planning, project development, value-chain mapping, and support for smallholder farmers and co-operatives. Served clients include UNIDO, SASA, the Lesotho National Development Corporation, and GDARDE.
• Tourism Research Services Tourism strategy and development planning covering attractions, MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions), arts and crafts, hospitality, heritage routes, policy formulation, market research, feasibility studies, business plans, tourism route planning, and marketing strategies. Past clients include the Department of Tourism, SANParks, and Enterprise iLembe.
• Property Research Services Property market research and strategic planning for retail, industrial, hotel, medical, motor retail, office, warehousing, business tourism, education, and residential sectors, including market studies, financial viabilities, GIS services, and policy development. Past clients include DBSA (Township Infrastructure Needs Assessment) and Atterbury.
• Biodiversity Services Biodiversity economy feasibilities, environmental economics, conservation management plans, sustainable land management, ecotourism development, and community empowerment through biodiversity-linked enterprise. Past clients include SANBI, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), and the North West Department of Economic Development, Environment, Conservation and Tourism.
• Socio-Economic Development Services

Quantifiable outcome

• 42+ total projects completed
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers17 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• SALGA (South African Local Government Association)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban-Econ Development Economists partnered with Urban-Econ Nikela on a project appointed by SALGA to conduct a Review of the District Development Model/Joint District Metro Approach Towards a SALGA Policy Position.
• GDARDE (Gauteng Department of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppointed by GDARDE as service provider to develop 150 feasibility studies and 150 business plans for agriculture and agro-processing enterprises in Gauteng Province.
• UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContracted by UNIDO to conduct situational analysis of the South African essential and vegetable oil industry as part of Phase II of the Global Quality and Standards Programme (GQSP).
• SASA (South African Sugar Association)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed by SASA to conduct an independent review assessment of the value-chain analysis and determination of the fair value of sugarcane molasses in South Africa.
• Lesotho National Development CorporationcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed to review the beef industry and develop feasibility studies for poultry, dairy, and piggery sectors in Lesotho.
• SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped training manual for Biodiversity Stewardship and Business Enterprise Capacity Building Programme for SANBI.
• Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAppointed to identify economic opportunities for Barberton Makhonjwa Mountains World Heritage Site that could benefit local communities.
• Business and Social Research Institute (BSRI)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed by BSRI to conduct Socio-Economic Impact Assessment of proposed reconfiguration of Umgeni and Mhlathuze Water Boards.
• SivestcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed by Sivest to conduct Socio-Economic Impact Assessment for ABO Ujekamanzi Wind Energy Complex in Mpumalanga.
• SARAO (South African Radio Astronomy Observatory)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConducted socio-economic impact assessment related to SARAO's investment and activity surrounding the MeerKAT/SKA Radio Telescope.
• Department of TourismcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped Tourism Professionalisation Strategy to shape the future of tourism professionalisation in South Africa.
• SANParks (South African National Parks)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIn partnership with Ask Afrika, conducted SANParks Brand Awareness Study evaluating brand awareness, perceptions, and tourism appeal.
• Enterprise iLembecoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConducted periodic tourism research to measure performance of tourism industry in iLembe region from 2022-2024.
• DBSA (Development Bank of Southern Africa)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed by DBSA to conduct SA Township Infrastructure Needs Assessment for four major townships.
• AtterburycoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAppointed by Atterbury to compile Cost Benefit Analysis for Atterbury mixed-use fresh produce Agro-Processing Hub in Pretoria.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Genesis Analytics: Johannesburg-based economic development and impact advisory firm providing socio-economic research, evaluation, and strategy consulting to governments, multilaterals, and private sector across Africa—directly overlapping with Urban-Econ's Economic Planning and Socio-Economic Development practices.
• Khulisa Management Services: SA-focused monitoring and evaluation and socio-economic advisory firm working with government, donors, and NGOs on social development and economic inclusion—closely aligned with Urban-Econ's Socio-Economic Development and economic planning capabilities.
• Palmer Development Group: South African economic, property, and infrastructure research consultancy delivering feasibility studies, market research, and economic impact assessments to public and private sector—a near-direct overlap with Urban-Econ's Property Research and Economic Planning offerings.
• Dalberg Advisors: Global development advisory firm with strong Africa presence advising governments, foundations, and multilaterals on inclusive economic growth, agribusiness, and policy—competes for the same UN/DFI mandates Urban-Econ services (e.g., UNIDO, DBSA-style engagements).
• Community Agency for Social Enquiry (CASE): South African non-profit research agency conducting socio-economic surveys, evaluations, and policy research for government and civil society—directly comparable to Urban-Econ's socio-economic research and impact assessment work.

Emerging players

• TIPS (Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies): South African industrial and trade policy research think tank providing economic policy analysis to government and donors—operates in an adjacent niche to Urban-Econ's Economic Planning and sector strategy services.
• ERM (Environmental Resources Management): Global sustainability and environmental consulting firm with established Africa practice delivering biodiversity, conservation, and ESG economic advisory—closely comparable to Urban-Econ's Biodiversity Services practice with SANBI and DFFE.

Broad incumbents

• Aurecon: Global engineering, infrastructure, and advisory firm with strong Africa footprint delivering feasibility, socio-economic impact assessments, and development advisory as part of broader infrastructure and built-environment engagements—overlaps with Urban-Econ on feasibility and socio-economic mandates.
• McKinsey & Company (Public Sector and Social Sector Practices): Global management consultancy whose Public Sector and Social Sector practices advise governments and multilaterals on economic development strategy, agriculture, and tourism—competes for the same large-scale government mandates Urban-Econ targets.
• Deloitte (Africa Consulting): Big Four firm's Africa consulting practice delivers economic advisory, impact assessments, and public sector strategy—directly competing for socio-economic impact, feasibility, and policy mandates like those Urban-Econ services for DBSA, SARAO, and others.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Urban_Econ
• Facebookfacebook.com/UrbanEconDevelopmentEconomists
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/urban-econ

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about URBAN-ECON