Africa’s real estate market has had a tough few years. The socio-political landscape and economic climate have also done little to alleviate the pressure. There are many people stating that the worst is over and that things will start improving soon.
From Nigeria to South Africa, Ghana and Egypt, Africans are looking for safe investments, and property remains one of the safest ways to grow money. It is a buyer’s market that is expected to continue through most of 2019. Those who qualify for finance or who are able to buy for cash will be in a good position to take advantage of the current conditions.
Real estate companies no longer simply rely on traditional selling methods such as hanging ‘for sale’ boards outside houses or advertising in the newspaper. They have had to find more innovative ways to attract new clients. Over the years there have been several companies that overcame the economic challenges and managed to not only sell the most property, but also find nuanced ways of doing so.
These are the top real estate companies that set themselves apart in the property field.
HASSAN ALLAM PROPERTIES – EGYPT
Established in 1936, Hassan Allam Properties (HAP) is today one of Egypt’s leading real estate developers, it employs more than 30,000 people. The company enjoy a large and diversified land bank of residential properties and holiday resorts in prime locations throughout Egypt.
HAP specialize in creating first-class residential and vacation communities in prime locations throughout Egypt. It’s property portfolio includes some of Egypt’s most famous communities: the exclusive Swan Lake-New Cairo and Swan Lake-6th October residential developments, the Seasons Residence in New Cairo and the Park View residential community also in New Cairo. Our luxury seaside resorts include the well-known Little Venice Golf Resort in Ain el Sokhna and the Baia Bianca vacation resort in Sharm el Sheikh.
CALDWELL LTD – NIGERIA
Caldwell ltd is a leading established real estate company in Nigeria. The company is synonymous with innovative developments and unparalleled luxury apartments, residences, homes and commercial outlets to serve our growing high-end clientele.
Although, Cadwell is an indigenous firm, the company exhibit a touch of class that rivals even global brands. Their properties are mainly in the high brow area of Lagos particularly Ikoyi and Victoria Island.
RE/MAX – SOUTH AFRICA
Re/MAx is officially the largest real estate brand in South Africa, outnumbering most of their competitor by nearly 1,000 sales associates (these figures are based on REBOSA membership numbers).
Regarded as the pioneer of the RE/MAX international expansion as it was the first country franchise to be sold outside of North America. With over 2,400 agents operating from over 160 offices and licensed in 5 countries in Southern Africa, RE/MAX of Southern Africa is the largest real estate brand in the region.
According to Remax’s Vice President of Communications, Pete Crowe, the balloon and wordmark were upgraded to help agents grow their business, as well as give them an even bigger competitive advantage in digital, social media, and mobile marketing. The company is hoping the refreshed branding will bring in enthusiastic young entrepreneurs.
SEEFF DEVELOPMENTS – SOUTH AFRICA
Seeff is one of Southern Africa’s most established real estate companies. Founded in 1964, the company has grown from a small, family-owned business to one of the leading property and real estate companies in Southern Africa, with over 100 000 active buyers, over 200 branches and over 1200 agents throughout South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Eswatini and Mauritius.
For over half a century, Seeff has earned a respected reputation as a formidable player in Southern African residential property sales and rentals, property development projects, agriculture, commercial, business and industrial properties, combining experience gained over more than 50 years, with a flair for innovation and a commitment to excellence.
ZENKI ESTATE – ANGOLA
Zenki Real Estate is an Angolan company working in the local Real Estate Markets as part of the CBRE affiliate network. CBRE is the world’s leading commercial real estate services and investment company. CBRE serves real estate investors and occupiers, offering a full suite of integrated services to meet their needs in more than 100 countries around the world and 80.000 employees. Zenki Real Estate represents a wide range of local and international Clients in selling, leasing, valuation services, consultancy and research.
Zenki provide services to all real estate stakeholders: public or private, landlords, tenants, developers, lenders or investors. The company cover all sectors and property types including office buildings, industrial property, retail, hotels and residential, throughout the entire property life cycle.
EFAB PROPERTIES LIMITED – NIGERIA
Efab Properties Limited is a foremost Estate Developer with its base in Abuja and have extended services to various states within the country, e.g Delta State and Anambra State to mention a few. The focus is promoting “A family, A roof” over the thirty six (36) states of the country. Since its inception, this company has developed major commercial, residential and administrative projects that have sold at a great market price.
Efab combines valuable years of experience and a crop of highly qualified workforce to deliver finished houses that not only meet competitive standards but can compare with the best elsewhere in the world to the delight of our clients.
TALAAT MOUSTAFA GROUP – EGYPT
TMG is one of the leading developers with over 40 years in housing and real estate. In 2018, during the “Egypt Summit for the Best” the company was named “The Top Real Estate Developer”. Most of its development has been focused on self-sustained community complexes and residential properties in various cities.
Some of the past projects by TMG include; May Fair in Al Shorouk, East Cairo, Al Rabwa in Six of October City, West Cairo, Four Seasons, Nile Plaza in Cairo, Four Seasons Hotel Alexandria at San Stefano,
Kempinski Nile Hotel in Downtown Cairo while the company’s present projects include; Celia in the New Administrative Capital, Four Seasons Hotel, Madinaty project and Extension of Four Seasons Hotel in Sharm El Sheikh.
URBAN SHELTER – NIGERIA
Urban Shelter is one of Nigeria’s largest real estate developers and a key player in realizing Abuja’s vision of becoming a cosmopolitan city and as well as the Goldman Sachs report on future emerging economies that the country will be among the top 20 economies worldwide by the year 2020; creating a world class destination for living, business and tourism.
Backed by over two decades of solid & verifiable practical experience, our strategic focus continues to be centred on building exceptional properties in some of Nigeria’s most desirable locations. Urban Shelter Limited has to its advantage an immense reserve of resources and experience, which give it the ability to effectively plan, develop and manage properties for individuals, private organisations, state and federal government establishments while strategically positioning the company to consolidate its activities across Nigeria, Dubai, and the entire West African sub-region.
ADRON HOMES AND PROPERTY – NIGERIA
This company intends to be the leading pan-African real estate development company. Adron has over 4000 acres of property in places ranging from Abuja, Lekki, Ikorodu, Shimawa and Ota.
Their promo and discount offers as well as their flexibility in payment make them the real estate company of choice among middle and low-income earners.
BETTER HOME GROUP – EGYPT
Better Home Group, founded in 1992 initially under the name Better Busines. In 2003, the company broadened its business spectrum, foraying into real estate investment and development.
The group incorporates three companies: Better Home, Better Office and Better Mall, each developing individual projects.
BETTER HOME: Provides all-inclusive residential compounds with a modern and innovative flair. Its current projects are Midtown New Cairo, Midtown New Capital and Midtown New Capital SOLO.
BETTER MALL: Encompasses three projects: Cityscape Mall 6th of October City, Cityscape Mall El-Minya and Mega Mall. It specializes in providing the best commercial complexes with premium shopping and entertainment facilities.
BETTER OFFICE: Is committed to developing prestigious administrative buildings with premium facilities, which satisfy the need of a better business environment and a better lifestyle. Projects include Cairo Medical Center, Cairo Business Bay, Cairo Business Gate and Cairo Business Plaza.
REGIMANUEL GRAY – GHANA
Regimanuel Gray was incorporated in 1991 with real estate development as its core business and represents an outstanding example of a successful international joint-venture in Ghana.
Ever since it inception, the company has had an assemblage of dedicated top caliber local and expatriate personnel managing its emergence as the leading private real estate developer in Ghana. Regimanuel Gray well-known hallmarks are the timely construction and delivery of high quality reasonably priced housing units at prime locations which are adequately provided with social amenities and well developed infrastructure.
To date it has more than 2000 houses bearing these hallmarks and has been the recipient of the 1998 Home Finance Company Gold Award for Best Estate Developer, the Ghana Millennium Excellence Award and the 13th International Construction Award of Trade Leaders Club, Paris. It is also a member of Ghana Club 100-a selection of the top 100 Companies in Ghana.
JAWITZ PROPERTIES – SOUTH AFRICA
Jawitz Properties is one of South Africa’s oldest residential property companies. In efforts to grow their global footprint in the last financial year, the company ensured that their top properties were listed globally. While they only have offices in South Africa and Mauritius, they have partnered with leading international brands to guarantee maximum exposure for their most exclusive properties.
The company’s partnership with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World has been very lucrative. The partnership has opened the door for them to be part of the largest global network of estate agents and agencies. According to Jawitz, “there are 55 countries around the globe that make up Leading Real Estate Companies of the World, producing more than R4.7 trillion in annual home sales collectively”. This especially speaks to foreign nationals looking into investing in internationally desired areas in Cape Town like the Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl, Sea Point, and Constantia.
CROWN ALLIED GLOBAL REALTY & HOMES – NIGERIA
More young buyers are entering the market, and Crown Allied seems to be catering to that market. It appears that the company has a high turnover for sales in new developments. Because they have a high emphasis on the sophisticated and fuss-free layout, the company seems to highlight the need for fresh new designs. According to Olubunmi Amos, the Managing Director Crown Allied Global Realty & Homes, space is becoming more and more of a luxury, and clean designs help create more space. Olubunmi recommends that potential homeowners and rental homes need to look for houses that offer modern day luxuries like fibre internet connections. It is believed that it is only going to become more essential as time goes by.
OCHACHO REAL ESTATE – NIGERIA
One cannot talk about new development projects in Nigeria without mentioning the ambitious multi-billion mega project by Ochacho Real Estate Company in Abuja. This is one the biggest real estate projects that a private company has undertaken. Ochacho Real Homes owns real estate assets at various locations in the federal capital city and the company have had successful track records of delivering authentic and rewarding landed properties to individuals and organizations. The main focus of the company is to bring clarity to, and demystify the process of buying and selling real estate in Nigeria; especially in Abuja and their properties are free from government acquisition, land-grabbers trouble or any other encumbrance whatsoever.
DEVTRACO LIMITED – GHANA
Devtraco Limited has been in existence since 1993 as one of Ghana’s leading real estate companies.
Like most companies, Devtraco saw a peaked interest in property around urban centres like the Tema Community 25, and Accra. They credit this to the demand for safe, secure, and low maintenance housing.
According to Joseph Aidoo, the Managing Director of the Devtraco Property Group, space is becoming more and more of a luxury, and clean designs help create more space. Aidoo recommends that potential homeowners and rental homes need to look for houses that offer modern day luxuries like fibre internet connections. It is believed that it is only going to become more essential as time goes by.
CITY EDGE – EGYPT
City Edge is one of the top real estate developers in Egypt. City Edge is a company that came to be through the partnership of New Urban Communities Authority (NUCA) and Housing and Development Bank. This company has developed premium multi-use projects and residential compounds. Some of the projects this company is presently involved in include ETAPA in Sheikh Zayed, ETAPA Square in Sheikh Zayed, North Edge Towers in New Alamein and the Gate in New Alamein.
YOSRA REAL ESTATE – TUNISIA
This real estate company has specialized in the development of integrated residential, resort, and commercial projects.Yosra was founded in 2007. In less than five years, the company had undertaken projects worth more than 20 billion Tunis Dinar.
SODIC – EGYPT
Sodic is a real estate company that was incorporated in 1996. It is now a public company listed in the Egypt Stock Exchange. Its headquarters is in Giza. It has between 200 and 500 employees. This company has several developments in different parts of Egypt. They include; SODIC East , Spectrum Eastown , Sky Condos by Villette, EDNC, Villette New Cairo, The Terraces Eastown, Kattameya Plaza, Malaaz North Coast Westown Hub , Heliopolis Development Housing, La Plaza de Caesar and The Polygon.
HASS CONSULT – KENYA
The Hass Consult Real Estate has laid its foundation across the Nairobi City. It offers high-quality investment developments which attract high rental returns and capital growth for the investors.
The company was established in 1922. And it offers services such as new property development and consultancy to letting, selling and managing of both residential and commercial properties and joint venture financing and marketing.
More recently, the Hass Consultants also began doing evaluations of properties like hotels and businesses.
KWARLEYZ GROUP – GHANA
Founded by Ghanaian entrepreneur Nana Kwame Bediako more than 15 years ago, the Kwarleyz Group of Companies is one of the leading Indigenous Infrastructural development organizations in West Africa. The Group comprises 5 subsidiaries: Wonda World Estates, Petronia City Development, New Africa Construction, Belfast City and Property Management Services and New Africa Foundation.It has specialized in integrated residential, resort projects, and commercial real estate. It has worked on more than 20 projects that are at different stages of development.