Meet Bader Elsaafi: An Expat Building Real Estate and Business Success in Gozo

Gozo has always been Malta’s quieter, more authentic sister — a place to slow down, meet people, and build something new. For Bader, who moved from Tripoli and made the island his base, it’s become more than home. It’s the launchpad for his ventures: real estate with Zanzi Homes, ReClean Gozo, and even a perfume brand. His story is one of adaptability, vision, and success.

In this interview, Bader shares his personal story: from first impressions of Malta to navigating the real estate sector, and from overcoming challenges to embracing the entrepreneurial spirit.

Choosing Gozo as Home

1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself, Bader? What brought you to Malta, and what made Gozo the place you decided to call home?

I’m a real estate sales specialist at Zanzi Homes’ Gozo branch, with over three years of experience in the field. Before real estate, I worked in events management and music curation, and I’m also a self-taught web designer with a passion for digital media and visuals.
I first moved to Malta in 2013 for family reasons, after spending time in Asia. Around 2018/19, I was actually considering relocating elsewhere, but then I decided to give Gozo a try — and that’s when things took a different turn for me. What started as an experiment gradually became home.

2. What were the early days like for you in Gozo? Did you face any challenges or surprises when adapting to life here?

My early days in Gozo were exciting, and they continue to be even more so. The island has a unique, almost mystical energy, and despite its small size, there’s always something or someone new to explore and discover. Overall, it’s a very easy place to settle into, with few challenges but plenty of pleasant surprises along the way.

It’s a fertile ground to bring ideas to life while learning to adapt them to the island’s authentic heritage and identity.

3. Coming from Libya, what were the biggest cultural or lifestyle differences you noticed when settling in Malta? Were there any similarities that made your transition easier?

I was born in Tripoli, Libya, and grew up in New Delhi, India, in a multicultural environment, which helped me develop an adaptive approach and openness to different cultures. When I first moved to Malta, the geographical difference and slower pace of life were a bit of a reality shock. Gradually, that turned into a curiosity to explore the island: its people, language, and history — which has continued to keep me fascinated and inspired.

Entering Real Estate and Navigating the Market

Bader’s entry into real estate happened almost by accident when he responded to a recruitment ad. Within days, he found himself at an interview and soon after with a contract in hand. Despite doubts, the encouragement of his partner and structured training from Zanzi Homes set him firmly on track.

4. How did you first get into the real estate industry, and what inspired you to pursue a career in property sales?

At the time, I was working as a courier driver and doing events, but deep down I think I was ready for a change. I went for the interview, had a really nice chat with the manager, and surprisingly left with a contract in hand. My first thought was, ‘I’m not sure if I can do this,’ but my partner told me, ‘This really fits your personality and drive.’ That encouragement pushed me to stop everything else I was doing and fully commit.

I decided to start from scratch and learn the craft from zero because I knew I was getting into something serious and wanted to be fully focused. I must admit, it was hard in the beginning, both financially and psychologically, but my partner had my back all the way until I got my footing, which I’m forever grateful for. I’m also very thankful to my manager at the time, Steve Spiteri, who was consistent during my training and ensured I gained the right knowledge every day and that truly set the foundation for me.

That initial push, the support I received, and my determination to learn and explore my full potential have made it one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.

5. From your experience, what’s the current state of the real estate market in Malta and Gozo? Are there any trends or changes recent buyers or sellers should be aware of?

The real estate market in Gozo is very active and lively at the moment. We’ve seen over 20% annual increase in property values this year, mainly driven by steady demand, higher construction costs, and rising plot prices. The buyer base is diverse — including first-time buyers, retirees, holiday-home seekers, expats, remote workers, and buy-to-let investors.

What makes Gozo unique is that it will always remain the island of villages, which appeals to buyers who want a more authentic and community-based lifestyle. Character properties and farmhouses remain highly sought-after, and their limited supply has continued to push values up. At the same time, there is growing interest in modern, energy-efficient homes and properties with views.

Overall, for buyers it’s a strong time to invest given that prices are expected to continue rising, and for sellers, realistic pricing and professional marketing are key to securing the right buyer. This is also why it’s crucial to work with an experienced real estate agent — someone who knows the market inside out and can guide clients in the right direction to achieve the best outcome.

6. Obtaining a real estate agent license in Malta can be a complicated process for foreigners. Did you face any hurdles or bureaucratic challenges? How did you overcome them?

It’s actually not as complicated as it may seem. At Zanzi Homes, every new agent starts with a three-week course at our in-house academy run by professionals that covers all aspects of the industry. After that, we’re able to start practicing under the supervision of a manager. The next step is to complete an online course at the Lead Training Center, which is accredited by the Real Estate Licensing Unit. Once that’s successfully completed, the application is submitted, and while waiting for the license to be issued, agents can continue working under supervision.

From Cleaning Sofas to Crafting Scents

Bader’s entrepreneurial spirit doesn’t stop at real estate. Together with his partner, he launched ReClean Gozo, an innovative upholstery and mattress cleaning service, and recently expanded into Fwieha Perfumes, bringing premium Middle Eastern fragrances to the island. In this section, he shares the inspiration behind these ventures and how they’ve been received by the local community.

7. What inspired you to start your second business, Reclean Gozo, specializing in deep cleaning furniture and mattresses? How has the community received it?

ReClean Gozo is the brainchild of my partner, Marjena Mudroh. While moving homes, Marjena wanted to give the sofa a good clean before returning the property to the owners, and that’s when we realized there wasn’t a company offering this service in Gozo at the time. That’s how the idea grew into a micro business, launching an island-wide service dedicated to bringing upholstery back to life. We partnered with Wurth for reliable equipment, and the business was very well received by the community. At first, close friends supported us, and gradually we began receiving bookings from both homes and business establishments. Today, we’ve achieved 100% customer satisfaction, a 5-star rating on Facebook, and a top-ranking position on Google.

8. Can you tell us more about your latest project Fwieha Perfumes and what inspired you to start it?

Fwieha Perfumes is my newest venture, focused on bringing premium Middle Eastern fragrances to Gozo. The idea came from a desire to offer high-quality scents that are both affordable and unique, filling a gap in the local market. Currently,  the business operates online, with plans to open Gozo’s first dedicated perfume store, offering both retail and wholesale options soon.

Launching Fwieha adds an exciting creative dimension to my work alongside real estate and ReClean Gozo. It’s rewarding to see customers enjoy the products, and the project gives me the opportunity to explore a new market while continuing to grow my other businesses.

Home, Horizons, and New Beginnings

9. Malta is known for its multicultural and religious diversity. How have you found the local community in Gozo regarding embracing people from different backgrounds?

The local community in Gozo is very friendly and welcoming. The island’s natives are open and respectful toward people from different backgrounds and beliefs, and I feel privileged and grateful to experience that.

10. Looking forward, what are your long-term plans for your life and businesses here?

For now, my focus is on continuing to learn and grow in the fields I’m in: helping clients achieve their real estate dreams, bringing freshness to homes one clean sofa or mattress at a time, and offering signature scents that transcend boundaries through Fwieha Perfumes.

With the current state of the world, and especially how the world is responding to events in Gaza – it’s difficult to define long-term plans. Life is unpredictable.

What I hold on to is gratitude: for being alive, for having the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives, and for being able to call Gozo home. Because, truly, home is where the heart is.

Bader’s journey illustrates how resilience and adaptability can transform challenges into opportunities. From discovering a new home in Gozo to establishing multiple businesses, his path shows that success often comes from embracing change with curiosity and determination.

For those considering a move to Malta or Gozo, his story highlights the importance of blending professional ambition with a sense of belonging to the community. As Bader continues to grow in real estate, cleaning services, and fragrances, his outlook remains clear: gratitude, purpose, and the conviction that home is where the heart truly is.

Si vous êtes un expatrié vivant à Malte ou à Gozo et que vous avez une histoire qui mérite d'être racontée, nous serions ravis d'entendre parler de vous. médias sociaux ou remplir un formulaire de contact via notre site web.

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