Groupe Duval, a French family-owned real estate and investment group founded by Eric Duval, is investing €18 million ($21 million) in Sadi Mall, a new commercial complex under construction in Bonamoussadi, northern Douala, Cameroon, as it expands its retail and real estate footprint across Africa.

The development, which is expected to open by the end of 2026, will cover more than 11,000 square meters and feature a shopping gallery, retail units, business center, offices, leisure areas and a food court. The project is expected to create several hundred jobs.

Sadi Mall strengthens Groupe Duval’s Cameroon retail push

Sadi Mall will host major retail operators including Super U and La Foir’Fouille, which will operate at the complex under the Snoop brand.

The project builds on the French investment group’s growing presence in Cameroon following its partnership with local conglomerate Arno in June 2022. The two companies established Duval Arno Distribution (DAD), a joint venture focused on food retail and home furnishings.

At its launch, the partners announced plans to establish about 30 neighborhood supermarkets and 15 furniture and home-decoration stores across Cameroon by 2030, representing more than 40,000 square meters of retail space. DAD operates Arno supermarkets in partnership with Intermarché, alongside BUT by Arno stores, strengthening the partners’ position in Cameroon’s expanding consumer market.

Real estate expansion broadens African portfolio

Sadi Mall adds to Groupe Duval’s growing African real estate portfolio, with the French group developing retail, office, hotel and residential projects across Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Senegal and Togo.

Founded in 1994 by French businessman Éric Duval, Groupe Duval is a family-owned investment and real estate group co-led by Duval and his children, Pauline Boucon Duval and Louis-Victor Duval. The group, which has interests spanning real estate development, investment and project management, alongside managed residences through Odalys and golf course management through UGOLF and LeClub, also has a shopping mall and hotel in Rwanda, reinforcing its focus on commercial and hospitality assets across high-growth African markets. Beyond real estate, Groupe Duval has expanded into sectors including renewable energy, insurance and retail distribution, with operations and investments across Europe, Africa and Asia.

The Sadi Mall investment strengthens the group’s position in Cameroon’s retail and commercial property market, while its partnership with local businesses gives it a platform to participate in the country’s growing consumer economy.