- Dubai recorded 125,538 property transactions totalling AED 431 billion
- South Africa attracted $661 million in foreign direct investment during Q1 2025
Banke International Properties has announced the opening of its first South African branch in Johannesburg. The new Hyde Park Lane office extends Banke’s global footprint, providing South African clients with access to premium real estate opportunities across the UAE and other international markets.
The expansion arrives as South African investors continue to play a growing role in Dubai’s dynamic property sector. In the first half of 2025, Dubai registered 125,538 real estate transactions worth AED 431 billion — a 26% increase year on year — with international buyers accounting for 58% of total deals. South Africans have been among the most active, drawn by Dubai’s robust rental yields averaging 6–8%, and the city’s reputation as a secure and lucrative investment destination.
“South Africa has long been one of our most engaged investor bases, with strong demand for off-plan, luxury, and secondary properties in the UAE,” said Porush Jhunjhunwala, CEO of Banke International Properties. “By establishing a local branch, we are deepening that relationship, bridging markets more seamlessly, and bringing our global real estate expertise closer to clients who are looking not only at Dubai but also the UK, India, Qatar, and beyond.”
The Johannesburg branch will provide Banke’s full suite of services, including off-plan developments, secondary market sales and leasing, commercial property, luxury investments, portfolio management, and cross-border transactions. Through this new hub, South African investors can engage directly with Banke’s international portfolio while benefiting from tailored, locally informed guidance.
The South African operation will be headed by Ravikant Sharma, a veteran real estate professional with over ten years of experience across multiple global markets. In Dubai, he successfully led Banke’s secondary sales and leasing division, and in Ras Al Khaimah, managed top-performing teams in both primary and secondary markets. His diverse background — including roles at Eurostar, Saregama India Ltd., iYogi, and Wipro — gives him a unique blend of international perspective and operational expertise to lead Banke’s entry into South Africa.
“Launching in Johannesburg is about more than opening a new office; it’s about creating accessibility,” added Ravikant Sharma, [title to be confirmed]. “South African clients want trusted guidance in navigating both domestic and international property investments. By being here, we can meet them on their terms, offer localised insights, and connect them directly to opportunities across the UAE and other global markets.”
The move aligns with the strengthening economic relationship between the UAE and South Africa. Between 2014 and 2024, UAE companies invested in 28 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in South Africa, valued at an estimated $23.6 billion. South Africa also recorded $661 million in FDI inflows in the first quarter of 2025, reflecting renewed investor confidence and growing cross-border cooperation.
