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Figures Show Buyers Lean Towards Luxury Apartments In Limassol And Affordable Options In Nicosia

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

December 26, 2024

Between January 2019 and August 2024, apartment sales in Nicosia reached 13,415 units, with a total value of €2.1 billion, while Limassol recorded 13,092 apartment sales worth €5.1 billion, according to data from the Department of Lands and Surveys cited by Ask Wire.

The report highlights a clear distinction in buyer preferences: Limassol dominates the high-value luxury apartment market, with a sales volume almost nine times higher than Nicosia. Conversely, Nicosia leads in affordable housing transactions, with twice as many as in Limassol.

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In Limassol, 2,174 transactions in the €500,000–€5 million price range accounted for €2.6 billion during this period. For apartments in the €50,000–€200,000 range, Limassol saw 5,451 transactions worth €774 million.

Nicosia, however, excelled in the lower price bracket, with over 11,000 transactions in the €50,000–€200,000 range, emphasising its strong position in the affordable housing sector.

The data also reveals that as property prices rise, demand in Nicosia tends to decline, unlike in Limassol, where interest remains robust in the €201,000–€500,000 price segment.

Market Insights and Opportunities

Ask Wire CEO Pavlos Loizou noted that Limassol’s thriving luxury apartment market presents a significant opportunity for developers. By offering high-quality, diverse options, they can cater to international investors seeking exclusivity and an appealing lifestyle.

In Nicosia, the focus on mid-scale developments designed to meet the needs of local entrepreneurs and households provides a pathway for stable returns, reflecting the city’s strong position in the affordable housing market.

Microsoft Bets Big On South Africa With $297M AI And Cloud Investment

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

March 7, 2025

Microsoft is doubling down on its commitment to South Africa, pledging an additional 5.4 billion rand ($297 million) by 2027 to expand its cloud and AI infrastructure in the country.

The announcement, made by Vice Chairman Brad Smith in Johannesburg, comes ahead of a key South African investment conference and adds to the 20.4 billion rand Microsoft has already poured into Africa’s most industrialized economy.

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Driving Growth Through AI And Talent

Beyond boosting infrastructure, Microsoft is making a play for South Africa’s digital future. Over the next year, the tech giant will fund certification exams for 50,000 young people, equipping them with in-demand digital skills to fuel economic growth and innovation.

South Africa has struggled with sluggish economic expansion—averaging under 1% growth annually for more than a decade—and is actively courting private-sector investment to accelerate momentum.

Big Tech’s Race For Africa

Microsoft was an early mover in South Africa’s cloud computing race, launching data centers in Johannesburg and Cape Town long before Amazon and Google entered the market. The company is now ramping up capacity with a new facility in Centurion, Gauteng, while also spearheading a $1 billion geothermal-powered data center in Kenya.

President Cyril Ramaphosa welcomed the move, calling Microsoft’s investment a vote of confidence in South Africa’s economic potential. “This company really has an African heart,” he said, underscoring the country’s efforts to position itself as a prime destination for global tech investment.