January 28 2026 15:54
SOUTH AFRICA – DUBAI
South African property organisation, Galetti Group, has announced that it is launching Galetti Auctions Dubai next month.
The group believes that this move marks a defining moment in its evolution and “places a South African-grown business at the heart of one of the world’s most dynamic and fast-expanding real estate markets”.
“Dubai is entering a new property cycle, and the timing couldn’t be better,” said Jenna Robertson, Managing Director of Galetti Auctions Dubai.
Jenna Robertson, Managing Director of Galetti Auctions Dubai
“The city’s commercial market is resetting, capital is flowing in at speed, and buyers are demanding faster, more transparent ways to transact. That’s exactly where Galetti’s auction model thrives, and we’re excited to bring this to Dubai,” she said.
Dubai’s property market is known for its pace given deep pockets of capital in the city. Deals typically close in two to six weeks, rather than the three to six months of many global markets, Robertson said.
However she said traditional, negotiation-led transactions can still be slow and uncertain, particularly as international demand intensifies.
Galetti is showing it has some big balls to enter a competitive market which has attracted top South African and UK talent in recent years.
“Galetti’s launch is the perfect time to introduce a competitive and transparent sales model that doesn’t limit pricing,” Robertson said.
“Auctions bring qualified buyers together in one decisive moment, letting the market set the price. The highest bidder wins, not the first offer. This allows sellers to discover the true market value, while buyers compete openly for what they believe the property is worth. It’s faster, clearer, and built for frictionless markets,” she said.
With rising prices, growing multinational expansion and accelerating demand, Dubai’s commercial sector is well placed for a process that rewards speed and transparency, and auctions deliver both, she said.
Galetti’s auction methodology across multiple asset classes brings strict timelines, visible competition, qualified bidder pools and no renegotiation once the hammer falls, the company claims.
The auction process begins with a detailed market assessment to establish accurate pricing, followed by a targeted campaign that promotes the asset directly to qualified, geo-located buyers.
The UAE which houses Dubai attracts high-net-worth individuals, with 6,700 millionaires moving to the country in 2024 and an estimated 9,800 expected in 2025. Many are relocating headquarters, establishing family offices and investing in strategically located commercial and residential assets.
This inbound investment has brought rapid population growth. Dubai’s population surpassed 4-million in 2025, up from approximately 3.8-million at the end of 2024, and is projected to exceed 4.2-million by 2026. Dubai’s long-term development strategy aims to absorb this growth, with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan underscored by major infrastructure investment, including:
ü Major new urban hubs and transport corridors
ü Expanded health, education, tourism and hospitality nodes
ü An increase in recreational and green space
ü 60% of land earmarked for conservation and natural environments
This growing shift to Dubai is further supported by the provision of Golden Visas, business-friendly regulations and a tax-free operating environment, Dubai’s leaders say.
“This population growth means that demand continues to outstrip supply, particularly across prime villas, waterfront homes, and Grade A commercial and industrial space,” Robertson said.
John Jack, CEO of Galetti Group, said that South Africa has seen increasing outward investment over the past five years, with private investors, family offices and listed funds looking for stable, dollar-based returns.
Dubai offers no income tax or capital gains tax, strong rental demand and escalating yields, transparent regulatory frameworks and a globally connected business environment, he said.
Robertson is an internationally recognised consultant, who has spent more than a decade operating across both the South African and UAE markets. Her experience spans leasing, sales, and strategic advisory across commercial, retail and industrial assets.
Since hosting its first live auction in Johannesburg in November 2022 Galetti Auctions has grown. The Johannesburg launch was followed by Cape Town in May 2023 and Durban in November 2025, with the division achieving 100% year-on-year growth in asset value sold, with R1.65bn in sales between March and November 2025.
“We’re carrying our clients with us and creating a bridge to Dubai. This is a moment for South African investors to think bigger and participate in one of the most exciting real estate markets in the world,” said Jack.
alistair@propertyflash.co.za
