Broll sees opportunities in Africa

Broll Property Group, an international real estate services provider, says it sees opportunities in Africa unlike other firms that see only windows, adding that, ultimately, it would like to see itself  being compared on an international stage with the best in the world.

The Group, which turned 40 last year, has grown its staff compliment to over 1,329 and still counting and has plans for further expansion as it believes Africa is the future. It also believes that it will take time to unlock opportunities on the African continent, adding that knowledge of the markets, patience and local partners are key in doing business in Africa.

The company’s focused service lines that operate in East, South and West Africa will provide a platform for future growth and momentum driven by client needs and expansion plans. “We have spent the last decade building our platform and wish to stand out of the pre-eminent professional property services company across Sub-Saharan Africa;  our love and passion for the development of the continent is part of what drives our desire to promote Africa to the world; we hope the future will promote our business on the international stage”, an official of the company said.

In Nigeria, Broll is a leading real estate service firm with a three-year revenue growth target of about 40 percent larger than what it is at the moment  given its continued leadership in its chosen segment of the Nigerian property market.

Bolaji Edu, the company’s CEO, who made this ambitious projection on assumption of office, hinged his expectation on the Nigeria economy which, he noted, was the largest in Africa with its GDP size of $510 billion.

“At the real estate side, it seems to be growing at even larger rate than the economy in general”, Edu said, noting  that, “there is a huge growth happening in the real estate market and Broll, being the recognized leader in the market, sees itself expanding to new areas including advising new developers and investors coming into the market”.

Broll Property Group, South Africa, which is  Africa´s leading commercial property services group, was founded in 1974 and has offices throughout South Africa and a growing number of African countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Rwanda etc.

Broll Nigeria is affiliated to CBRE, the largest property services company in the world as quoted on the New York Stock Exchange with over 44,000 employees and 349 offices in 42 countries. It is well known mostly for its management of malls in Nigeria, including The Palms, Lekki and the Ikeja City Mall. 

The company which opened for business in Nigeria in 2004 has over 130 property practitioners in the country and asset under management  in excess of  $6 billion.

Edu, a graduate of Economics and Business Economics from the University of Hull, disclosed that he was excited with his appointment  as Broll Nigeria’s CEO, assuring that he would bring his wealth of experience from London real estate market to bear on the operations of Broll Nigeria.

He started work in the property management team at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) in London, and following a stint working in the valuations department, he qualified as a chartered surveyor and became a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).  Post qualification, he moved to worked in investment management before becoming an associate director in the Investment Advisory team of JLL.

CHUKA UROKO