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Peter Verwer to headline SA REIT Conference 2026 as global REIT Alliance enters new phase

The SA REIT Association has confirmed that Peter Verwer, Executive Chairman of Futurefy and long-time global REIT ambassador, will deliver the keynote address at the SA REIT Conference 2026 on 12 February at The Houghton Hotel, Johannesburg.

The biennial conference, proudly sponsored by Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking’s Property Finance division, is South Africa’s most influential gathering of listed property leaders, investors, policymakers and market experts. Against a backdrop of shifting global and local real estate dynamics, Verwer’s address will set the tone for a forward-looking exploration of how the REIT model is evolving worldwide.

Global REIT dynamics

Verwer’s keynote presentation, titled “Global REIT Dynamics: Innovation, Influence and Opportunity”, will examine how REITs across continents are adapting to investor demands, digital transformation, sustainability imperatives and their growing role in infrastructure and nation building. His insights will provide a rare global perspective for South African delegates, connecting local challenges to broader trends in capital flows, governance and long-term investment.

Crucially, his speech follows the relaunch of the Global REIT Alliance at the EPRA Conference in Stockholm in September 2025. Originally established in 2006 as the Real Estate Equity Securitization Alliance (REESA), the Alliance has been revitalised under its new identity to strengthen international collaboration, knowledge-sharing and industry advocacy. Today, it represents 24 countries and regions across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa, with the SA REIT Association included as South Africa’s voice in this global coalition.

Verwer underscores the significance of this expansion: “The Global REIT Alliance brings together 24 countries and regions, creating a unified voice for REIT advocacy and a platform for knowledge-sharing and standard-setting. Our shared vision is to broaden investor participation, improve transparency and strengthen trust in REITs as a credible global asset class.”

For South Africa, Alliance membership provides a direct line to international peers and policymakers. It allows local REITs and property leaders to learn from global best practice and at the same time contribute perspectives from an emerging market grappling with unique economic and regulatory challenges. As Verwer notes: “Together, we aim to strengthen the global REIT ecosystem and promote REITs as a trusted and transparent asset class worldwide.”

Setting the agenda for South Africa

The 2026 SA REIT Conference will tackle urgent themes shaping the sector, including global market volatility, access to capital, technological innovation, sustainability, local government risks and the shifting policy environment. With credibility and long-term investor relevance at the centre of discussions, the agenda is designed to provide strategic insight and practical direction for REIT executives and investors.

Verwer’s keynote will frame these issues within an international context, exploring how markets from the United States and Europe to Asia and Africa are positioning themselves for resilience. For South African REITs, which collectively represent a significant portion of the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and hold assets across retail, office, industrial and residential segments, his outlook will offer both inspiration and direction at a crucial juncture.

Local positives

After a period of economic pressure and subdued investor sentiment, renewed positivity is emerging in South Africa’s listed property sector. Signs of stabilisation in valuations, improving operational performance by leading REITs and a sharper focus on governance and transparency are helping to rebuild confidence. At the same time, international investors are showing a cautious but growing interest in South African assets, particularly as the local market aligns itself more closely with global REIT trends.

The SA REIT Conference 2026 will capture this mood of guarded optimism, convening executives, asset managers and policymakers to debate how the sector can consolidate its recovery and unlock future growth. By combining a global perspective, underscored by Peter Verwer’s keynote, with a local focus on practical strategies, the event will highlight how South Africa’s REITs are adapting to change and reasserting their relevance as a trusted investment class.

A landmark event

The SA REIT Conference has established itself as the premier platform for debate and networking in the property investment industry. With the inclusion of the SA REIT Association in the Global REIT Alliance, the 2026 edition is set to connect local strategies with global momentum more closely than ever before.

The South African Real Estate Investment Trust Association (SA REIT) Association in partnership with Nedbank Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB) have launched the SAREIT Sustainability Disclosure Guide, aimed at establishing sustainability standards and best practice benchmarks for the real estate sector in South Africa.

This guide is a valuable resource for SA REIT members and property organisations starting their sustainability reporting. It provides key information to improve their reports and outlines a framework of recommendations for sustainability and climate-related disclosures, aligning with international standards in the South African property sector and the global sustainability landscape.

Joanne Solomon, Chief Executive Officer of SA REIT Association comments:

“As industry partners, we are proud to launch the inaugural SA REIT Sustainability Disclosure Guide, marking a significant advancement in fostering a unified approach to sustainability within the South African real estate sector.

The property sector plays a crucial role in tackling environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges. Our goal is to guide the industry toward a future where sustainable practices are seamlessly integrated into business strategies, enhancing both resilience and value.”

Sustainability has become a key priority for businesses, with capital markets increasingly evaluating performance based on ESG metrics in their investment decisions. This trend is supported by compelling evidence linking strong ESG performance to an organisation’s ability to secure long-term competitive and financial advantages.

Furthermore, sustainability reporting offers investors valuable insights into a company’s long-term viability, risk management, and growth potential. This transparency empowers investors to make informed decisions that align with their values and financial goals.

“Meaningful sustainability disclosure is essential for attracting financial capital, enhancing accountability, improving business performance, and fostering a resilient property sector.”

The guide aims to enhance the reliability, consistency, and comparability of ESG data among South African REITs, promoting objectivity, facilitating analysis, improving valuations, supporting benchmarking, and encouraging cross-organisational comparisons, said Solomon.

Gary Garrett, Managing Executive of Property Finance: Nedbank CIB commented:

“As a purpose led organisation, we aspire to be a key participant in promoting a more sustainable future for the real estate sector. We are intentional about sustainability and about contributing positively to the communities in which we operate.”

The SA REIT Sustainability Disclosure Guide highlights the significance of accurate and reliable ESG reporting, aligning with global best practices and standards. These include the Global Reporting Initiative, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board, and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures.

Garrett said the practices outlined in the guide foster transparency, enhance stakeholder trust, and promote sustainable growth in the property market.

Solomon said the guide aligns with the voluntary JSE Sustainability and Climate Change Disclosure Guidance of 2022 and global best practices, specifically for the South African property sector. SA REIT recommends using this guide alongside the JSE guidance which serves as its foundation.

Many recommendations in these frameworks are not industry-specific and often overlook the unique challenges faced by property owners in South Africa. For instance, an international decarbonisation disclosure framework may not account for local municipality restrictions on electricity wheeling or the lengthy process of obtaining water-use licenses.

“This guide will assist issuers and investors in the South African property sector by standardising key sustainability concepts and their reporting. While it serves as a valuable voluntary tool, its application is not mandatory,” she added.

Download the SAREIT Sustainability Disclosure Guide here or email info@sareit.co.za for more information.