France’s Groupe Duval Invests CFA11.8 Billion in New Douala Mall

French Groupe Duval plans to invest €18 million, about CFA11.8 billion, in Sadi Mall, a commercial complex under construction in northern Douala that is expected to open by the end of 2026.

Located in Bonamoussadi, the development will cover more than 12,000 square meters and add a new retail and business property to Duval’s growing portfolio in Cameroon. The group expects the project to create several hundred jobs.

According to Groupe Duval, Sadi Mall will include a 3,000-square-meter shopping gallery, 3,600 square meters of retail units and a 1,300-square-meter business center. The complex will also feature offices, leisure areas and a food court.

A New Site for Duval’s Cameroon Retail Business

Sadi Mall is expected to host Intermarché and La Foir’Fouille. Their presence connects the property development to Groupe Duval’s broader retail activities in Cameroon, where the French company has partnered with Cameroonian group Arno since 2022.

The two groups established Duval Arno Distribution (DAD), a joint venture focused on food retail and home furnishings. Its operations include BUT by Arno stores and Arno supermarkets operating in partnership with Intermarché.

When DAD was established in June 2022, Duval and Arno announced plans to open about 30 neighborhood supermarkets and 15 furniture and home decoration stores in Cameroon by 2030. Together, the planned network was expected to represent more than 40,000 square meters of retail space.

Sadi Mall therefore adds a new property to Groupe Duval’s African real estate portfolio while providing space for brands linked to its retail development in Cameroon.

The French group says it develops retail, office, hotel and residential projects across Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Rwanda, Senegal and Togo.

Amina Malloum