About Ramsden Africa
Ramsden Africa is a leading African real estate development and advisory firm with more than two decades of hands-on experience delivering commercially successful developments across the continent.
Our work spans West, East, Central, and Southern Africa, with experience across retail, commercial, mixed-use, hospitality, infrastructure, residential, and integrated urban developments.
We specialise in transforming complex opportunities into investment-grade developments through strategic thinking, commercial intelligence, and practical execution capability.
Our Philosophy
We believe successful developments are built through vision, discipline, collaboration, and understanding how markets truly operate. Our approach combines:
Regional market understanding
Commercial pragmatism
Strategic structuring
Long-term thinking
Delivery-focused execution
Leadership
Dale Ramsden
Founder & CEO
Dale Ramsden is one of Africa’s most experienced real estate development and investment professionals, with more than 30 years in property development and over two decades delivering landmark projects across Sub-Saharan Africa.
He has led the origination, structuring, funding, and delivery of more than US$1.4 billion in commercial, retail, mixed-use, hospitality, and infrastructure developments across Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Zambia, Angola, and other African markets.
Before founding Ramsden Africa, Dale co-founded RMB Westport and previously held senior leadership roles with Actis, where he contributed to some of Africa’s most significant retail and commercial developments.
His expertise spans development management, investment structuring, project delivery, tenancy strategy, risk management, and investor relations. Dale is recognised for combining strategic vision with practical execution to deliver commercially successful developments that create lasting value.
DOMINIC ADU
Strategic Finance & Investment Advisor
Dominic Adu is one of Africa’s leading housing finance and investment specialists, with extensive executive experience across banking, property finance, and investment management.
He previously served as CEO of First National Bank Ghana and co-founded Ghana Home Loans, growing it into the country’s largest home finance business. During this period, he successfully raised almost US$200 million in debt and equity funding, led Ghana’s first mortgage-backed securities issue, and oversaw the company’s transition into a licensed commercial bank.
His earlier career included senior investment roles with CDC and Actis, providing extensive experience in private equity, institutional finance, and African investment markets.
STEVE ORBELL
Urban Design & Master Planning
Steve Orbell is an architect and urban designer with more than 25 years of experience delivering master planning, urban design, and land development projects across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Working alongside the principals of Ramsden Africa for more than a decade, Steve has led multidisciplinary teams responsible for large-scale urban planning, development feasibility, transportation planning, and project implementation.
His work combines sound urban design principles with commercial viability and market intelligence to create sustainable, high-performing developments that respond to the needs of both investors and communities.
YVONNE PELSER
Sustainability & IFC EDGE Specialist
Yvonne Pelser is a recognised specialist in sustainable construction and green building certification, supporting Ramsden Africa with IFC EDGE assessments and sustainable development strategies.
With a background in construction management, she helps integrate practical sustainability solutions into projects while improving environmental performance and long-term commercial value.
She is an EDGE Reviewer and Faculty Member with the Green Building Council South Africa and recipient of the inaugural EDGE Leader Award. Her expertise spans green building certification, affordable housing, energy and water efficiency, and sustainable construction practices.
DHARMENDRA (“DEE”) LUKSMIDAS
Financial Modelling & Project Finance
Dee Luksmidas is a specialist in financial modelling, project finance, transaction advisory, and strategic planning with more than 22 years of experience across Africa and the Middle East.
His expertise includes financial modelling for complex property and infrastructure developments, investment analysis, feasibility studies, shareholder value management, and executive decision support.
Having previously worked with PwC’s Valuation and Strategy Practice, Dee has advised on major mixed-use, infrastructure, water, and urban development projects, helping clients make informed investment decisions through sophisticated financial analysis.
JAMES (“TOM”) JANSE VAN VUUREN
Construction & Project Delivery
Tom Janse van Vuuren is an accomplished construction project executive with nearly 40 years of experience delivering complex developments throughout Africa and the United Kingdom.
He has successfully managed major retail, mining, residential, and infrastructure projects, including large-scale developments in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique, and Mauritania.
Tom is particularly recognised for rescuing distressed projects, restoring programme certainty, rebuilding stakeholder confidence, and delivering projects safely, on time, and within budget through disciplined leadership and practical execution.
MIKE O’MALLEY
Development & Investment Advisor
Mike O’Malley is a highly experienced real estate executive specialising in development, investment, and strategic advisory across emerging markets.
As co-founder of RMB Westport, he helped establish one of West Africa’s leading real estate investment platforms, raising more than US$520 million and contributing to over US$1 billion in commercial property developments.
His experience spans retail, logistics, mixed-use, healthcare, hospitality, and diplomatic developments across Africa, with expertise in site acquisition, development strategy, project delivery, leasing, and asset management. Mike continues to advise on large-scale developments and serves as a strategic advisor and non-executive director across the property sector.
Built Through Experience
For over 20 years, Ramsden Africa has been involved in the sourcing, structuring, funding, and delivery of major developments across Africa. Our experience includes:
- Large-scale mixed-use developments
- Retail destinations
- Commercial office developments
- Hospitality developments
- Integrated housing and infrastructure projects
- Asset repositioning and turnaround strategies
This experience allows us to navigate complexity with confidence while maintaining a clear focus on commercial viability and delivery.
Shaping Sustainable Growth
We believe successful development is about more than buildings.
It is about creating environments that support investment, strengthen communities, improve infrastructure, and contribute to Africa’s long-term sustainability.
