The Grit Real Estate Investment Group (Grit) was founded in 2014 and has grown into the largest pan-African real estate income group listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange as well as the Stock Exchange of Mauritius. Grit currently operates across 11 countries, with over 33 assets valued in the region of US$862 million. The Grit Group are a leading pan-African impact real estate investment and solutions provider. Our focus lies in investing in and actively managing a diverse portfolio of premium real estate assets.
Drawing on a profound understanding of African real estate and a pool of talented local expertise, we offer distinctive solutions in property development, asset, and property management, and select co-investment opportunities for eligible partners.
The GRIT Group Promotes Sustainability in Africa
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) produced a seminal report titled “Realizing Africa’s Wealth – Building Inclusive Businesses for Shared Prosperity”. The report specifically examined inclusive businesses in sub-Saharan Africa and introduced the ‘Inclusive Business Sector Ecosystem Diamond’ framework. The report emphasized the imperative for impact investment and described it as the allocation of capital to enterprises, funds and/or organizations with the expectation of a financial return and a positive environmental and/or social impact. This was identified as crucial for fostering the growth of inclusive businesses in sub-Saharan Africa.
To assess the potential for impact investment in Africa, the state of impact investing across the continent was analysed. The report underscores key challenges within the sector and proposes strategies to augment the quantity and quality of impact investment real estate. A particular focus on initiatives led and mobilized by Africans is proposed.
The Impact Real Estate Strategy
The Grit Group’s operational framework for real estate investment in Africa is designed to generate value for all stakeholders, including not only investors, but also the people of Africa. The Grit Group applies and is guided by the following fundamental principles.
- The cultivation of deep local and international relationships.
- Creating and maintaining a tenant base the majority of which are reputable multinational corporations in secure lease contracts.
- Ensuring that the bulk of leases held are denominated in hard currencies such as the US dollar and the Euro providing a stable revenue foundation for long-term leases.
- Pursuing extensive diversification across eight asset classes and geographically across sub-Saharan Africa, and the SADC region.
- Providing a robust sustainability backbone with clearly articulated, measurable, objectives.
These principles are grounded in a commitment to impact investing, as demonstrated by the provision of property investment opportunities in fully developed, income-generating assets. Client-driven developments that offer reduced risk due to embedded risk mitigation measures typify the Grit Group approach.
As part of any development activities undertaken by our development business unit, Gateway Real Estate Africa (Grea), we actively engage with local communities providing skills transfer opportunities, job creation initiatives with a focus on promoting gender equality in the construction sector, and prioritized local procurement. Ongoing monitoring and reporting on environmental and social performance targets are communicated to all interested parties. The Grit Group is firmly committed to achieving net-zero emissions, reduced water consumption, and impactful social initiatives within the communities served.
The Grit Group and Africa
The Grit Group’s fundamental understanding of African real estate stems from decades of experience on the African continent. Our insight into the continent allows us to deliver truly sustainable developments that provide a host of social benefits without negatively affecting investment performance. Our Africa-specific experience allows us to provide premium, low-risk, high-return real estate for select investors. Invest in Africa today. Contact Grit and make a difference.
