RE/MAX is expanding its footprint in Western Africa. The firm announced Friday that it has sold Master Franchise Rights in the Republic of Benin.
The rights were purchased by Marc Houessou, a Benin native and current RE/MAX agent living in Quebec, Canada.
Houessou has been a licensed agent since 2017 and has been with RE/MAX during his entire five-year career.
“There are millions of Beninese living in Western countries who know RE/MAXm” Houessou said in a statement. “By choosing RE/MAX, we are telling Beninese people that our brokers are from the best network and well equipped to provide them with superior quality transactions.”
Houessou also owns and runs the of College de l’immobilier Benin, a real estate college in Benin. According to Houessou, Beninese real estate regulation and laws exist but are not well known and followed. Houessou says the profession needs to be more organized to avoid lack of professionalism and accountability.
By operating College de l’immobilier Training Structure and selling RE/MAX franchises, Houessou plans to bring his standards and introduce a comprehensive real estate curriculum to the industry in Benin.
Shawna Gilbert, RE/MAX’s senior vice president of global development, added: “Real estate is a relationship business and we’re honored to be one of the few global real estate companies that help empower local communities and businesses to flourish. Each expansion helps provide greater levels of professionalism to the industry, advancement to individuals’ careers, and a reliable process for homebuyers and sellers.”
