The war of 1914 caused Michel Louis and his brother, Salim to emigrate from Lebanon to South Africa; while retaining their business interests overseas. They purchased a building at 80 Church Street, Bloemfontein, from where they traded as general wholesale merchants. This historical building is still owned by the Group and is regarded as the foundation of its property-based enterprise.

By 1950 the business had grown into one of the largest wholesale merchants in the Orange Free State, South Africa. With the death of Michel and Salim, the control and direction of the business passed into the hands of his wife and four sons. In 1959, Colia Louis bought his first commercial building and launched the family into the property investment and administration business. As Colia's five sons graduated in their various professions, they all joined their father in the expanding property enterprise.

In 1994, the Louis Family, by then styled the Louis Group, relocated its headquarters to Cape Town. During the period that followed, the Group decided to extend its interests beyond property and through strategic acquisitions, shifted its focus to include Financial Services & Technology. With the rapid expansion experienced in South Africa, the Group decided to extend its influence internationally, and since 2000 began to established a presence in Europe. At this important juncture, the Group aptly changed its name to Louis Group.

The Group has enjoyed significant achievement and international growth, which includes the establishment of business interests in England, Germany, Hungary, Isle of Man, Namibia, South Africa, Switzerland and UAE. These achievements have been recognised in South Africa and Louis Group has appeared for the past three years in the "South Africa's Top National Companies" publication. Alongside the recognition of its commercial achievement, the Group has also been featured for the past three years in the 'Best Companies to Work for in South Africa' publication which confirms that the 'family feel' of the Group has had a positive impact on the more than 400 employees.

The most significant adjustment in the past few years has been the deliberate transition from a family to a corporate structure and as a result the Group has become one of the largest privately owned Property, Financial Services and Technology companies in South Africa; and has established a significant footprint in the United Kingdom and Europe.