Robert Boullé, Asset Manager for Phoenix Mall, Riche Terre Mall, Kendra and les Allées had the honour of representing Ascencia at AFRetail Forum in Paris, an insightful forum where retail professionals and brands gathered to explore expansion opportunities across Africa.

Why Africa?
With rising urbanisation, digital connectivity and evolving consumer expectations, several African markets are becoming increasingly attractive for retail expansion.

For Ascencia, this forum was a strategic platform to:

• Position our shopping centres as trusted regional partners for international brands
• Promote Mauritius as a stable, connected and strategic hub for expansion into Africa
• Gain insights into what today’s retailers expect in terms of location strategy, local relevance, and performance readiness

What trends and brands stood out?
Sectors such as lifestyle, premium fast food, and sportswear are gaining momentum. We are also seeing a strong push towards hybrid store formats, experience-led retail, and omnichannel strategies.

Mauritius' role in this landscape?
The island is clearly perceived as a premium showcase and test market for Africa, a well-managed entry point to pilot and refine concepts before scaling them further across the continent.

A key takeaway?
Discussions with leading international groups reinforced the need for strong, locally anchored partners who understand regional dynamics and deliver on long-term performance.

A big thank you to the AFRetail organisers for the high-quality exchanges and to the many retail actors who shared their vision and ambitions for Africa.