Malcolm Horne, CEO of Broll, says, "There's been a positive shift in investors' attitudes to the fortunes of the African continent. More and more multinational companies are tapping into sub-Saharan Africa's fast-growing consumer markets and the company is positioning itself as a service provider of choice operating across Sub-Saharan Africa.
"The lack of a formalised approach to property management and maintenance in many African countries opened the door for the company to replicate its South African offering elsewhere on the continent. With the new African offices, it will bring its specialised services and unique capabilities to these markets. With more multi-national companies interested in Africa, professional leasing and corporate real estate services are making inroads into previously undeveloped markets."
Its assets under management recently exceeded R60 billion, of which R12 billion is outside the borders of South Africa. The group now employs 1182 people with more than 200 people in various African countries. Its African business units all have their own core team situated in each country and operating separately from Broll South Africa.
Leonard Michau, director responsible for Africa, "The growth story of sub-Saharan Africa is a compelling one. Advancing infrastructure development, impressive demographics, the telecommunications revolution, improving political stability, sound macroeconomic policies and deregulating industries across the continent is all driving greater investment in Africa."
In April 2013, it opened its Rwanda office in Kigali. Established as a joint venture with the Rwanda Social Security Board (RSSB), Broll Rwanda manages a property portfolio of some $50 million. RSSB provides a comprehensive social security system that gives retirement benefits to workers in the formal and informal sector.
"We're impressed by the progressive attitude of the country and are proud to be associated with the RSSB," says Horne.
Michau adds, "Growing our African footprint and entering the Rwanda market was made easier by collaborating with a reputable partner, RSSB. We aim to grow this business and offer the same range of property services to the local market and international investors entering the market as we do in South Africa."
South African expatriate, Jonathan Hemp heads Broll Rwanda with the benefit of his seasoned 30 plus years of property sector experience.
Broll Indian Ocean opened in March this year with its base in Mauritius also covering the territories of Seychelles, Madagascar and Reunion Island. Michau confirms that it has its sights set on a future office in Madagascar.
Broll Indian Ocean is a joint venture with the management of local business Tinkler and Ramlackhan, a property valuations, advisory and broking firm with over 25 years experience.
"Our partners focus on residential estate asset management services. With Broll on board the range of services will expand to include property and facility management services," says Michau.
Local property professional Rhoy Ramlackhan is MD of Broll Indian Ocean, having had a longstanding relationship with the company.
Its third new African office in 2013 will be in Kenya, set to open in August in Nairobi.
"Kenya is the economic hub of East Africa. It simply cannot be ignored. It has sound macroeconomic and political policy in place. Many corporate companies and organisations are locating their African head offices in Nairobi," says Michau. "We've already got a relationship with several local clients through our South African business, which provides advisory and broking services to the local market."
The company will heighten its service in the country by having presence on the ground and, in addition, identify opportunities grow its local client base. At first, it will go it alone but, Michau confirms, it will consider partnership opportunities once it is open and has assessed the nuances of this market first-hand.
A South African expatriate has been appointed as MD of Broll Kenya, bringing 25 years of property experience to the business. It will start with a focus on retail management, facilities management corporate real estate consultancy and broking, but will expand to offer a full range of property services.
